What Happened
European Union Expands Space Surveillance Program Amid US Uncertainty
The European Union is poised to take the lead in setting policy, standards, and licensing requirements for space traffic management, as the future of the US Commerce Department’s Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) remains uncertain. The EU’s Space Surveillance and Tracking Partnership (EU SST) has gained significant support, with 95% of European satellite operators participating in the program’s data exchange and benefiting from collision avoidance services. The program has also expanded to include four new member countries, bringing the total to 19. According to Breaking Defense, the EU SST program is planning to increase its funding in the next budget cycle and is working to rapidly increase the number of European companies capable of building and operating sensors and providing services to satellite operators.