Inside the EU Space Act Discussion at SmallSat Europe

At SmallSat Europe, organised by Satnews Events in Amsterdam, a panel of legal experts, academics, industry representatives and satellite operators discussed the proposed EU Space Act and the ongoing legislative process surrounding the proposal. The session, titled “The EU Space Law: Harmonizing Rules or a Competitive Moat,” included discussion of implementation timelines, national legislation, licensing processes, sustainability measures and the application of the framework to non-EU operators.

Legislative Process

Several panellists discussed the current legislative status of the EU Space Act proposal. Speakers referred to the European Commission proposal published in June 2025 and subsequent review processes within both the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

According to the discussion, the Parliament’s first reading could take place later in 2026, after which trilogue negotiations between the Parliament, Council and Commission could begin.

Speakers also referred to a large number of proposed amendments currently under discussion within both Parliament and Council processes. Panellists said the final text may continue evolving during negotiations and noted that implementation timelines discussed during the session currently point toward obligations beginning around 2030.

Industry representatives on the panel discussed the effect of the legislative timeline on planning and investment decisions while the proposal remains under negotiation.

National Legislation and Coordination

A significant part of the discussion focused on the relationship between the proposed EU Space Act and existing national space laws.

Panellists said the proposal would operate alongside national legislation rather than replace it. Speakers referred to differences between national regulatory systems across Europe and noted that some member states are still developing or revising national space legislation.

During the discussion, Spain and Germany were referenced as examples of countries where comprehensive national space legislation is still evolving, while Poland was mentioned as having recently adopted legislation.

Several speakers also referred to national responsibilities under international space treaties, including the authorisation and supervision of private space activities. National licensing systems and oversight mechanisms were discussed as remaining part of the regulatory structure even if the EU Space Act enters into force.

The panel also discussed the distinction between harmonisation and coordination. Some speakers referred to the framework as partial harmonisation focused primarily on technical areas including safety, sustainability and cybersecurity, while national licensing, liability and insurance systems would remain under member state control.

Some panellists also discussed whether a directive-based approach could provide greater flexibility for member states while still establishing common policy objectives.

Licensing and Administrative Procedures

Licensing timelines and administrative procedures were recurring topics during the discussion.

Industry representatives said national licensing procedures can already take significant time depending on the jurisdiction, which speakers said may affect how quickly operators can begin services or enter the market.

Speakers also discussed the proposed EU-level registration process following national licensing approval. Panellists referred to questions about how quickly this process could operate in practice and whether it could create additional delays before operators are permitted to provide services across the European Union.

Discussion also covered the concept of a European single market for space services. Some speakers referred to the possibility of reducing the need for separate operational authorisations across multiple jurisdictions.

Several panellists also discussed proportionality and the potential effect of compliance requirements on startups and SMEs, particularly in member states with smaller or less established space sectors.

A socioeconomic impact study released alongside the proposal was also referenced during the discussion in relation to the possible effect of compliance requirements on SMEs.

Sustainability and Orbital Congestion

Sustainability, orbital congestion and debris mitigation were discussed throughout the panel.

Speakers referred to increasing satellite activity in low Earth orbit and discussed orbital debris and long-term access to space.

One panellist referred to estimates that the number of satellites in orbit could increase from approximately 10,000 today to around 25,000 by 2030. The discussion also referred to congestion in specific orbital regions, including the 800-kilometre altitude band, which one speaker described as increasingly affected by debris density.

Several speakers discussed sustainability measures in connection with operational safety and long-term use of orbital environments.

The panel also discussed the relationship between sustainability and security. Speakers referred to debris-removal technologies as examples of systems with potential dual-use implications involving both sustainability and national security considerations.

Competitiveness and International Operators

Another recurring topic during the session was the relationship between the EU Space Act and competitiveness.

Speakers discussed differences between European and US regulatory approaches, with some panellists describing the US system as more procurement-driven.

Several panellists also discussed the application of sustainability and safety requirements to both European and non-European operators serving the European market.

The discussion additionally covered the possible application of the framework to operators from countries outside the European Union, including Norway and the United Kingdom. Speakers referred to questions surrounding equivalence, certification and market access for operators based outside the EU framework.

Questions were also raised about how launch providers and operators working across EU and non-EU jurisdictions could be affected by implementation processes.

Ongoing Discussions

Throughout the session, speakers repeatedly referred to the EU Space Act as an ongoing legislative process involving continued discussion between policymakers, industry representatives and legal experts.

Topics discussed during the panel included orbital sustainability, operational safety, licensing procedures, proportionality, coordination between national and EU-level systems, and the relationship between European and non-European operators.

This article summarises the discussion points raised during the panel session at SmallSat Europe, organised by Satnews Events in Amsterdam.