Europe’s path to responsive space

Space as strategic asset and critical enabler for diverse capabilities

Space systems serve multiple critical functions across government, military, and civil sectors, enabling Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Earth Observation, and secure communications. These systems are integral to a variety of applications, from GPS navigation and reconnaissance to scientific research, underscoring the multifaceted and multi-use nature of space

To adapt to future geopolitical and industry changes, the space industry will need to focus on new technologies to quickly deploy and improve the flexibility of space assets. As the space economy evolves, adapting legal and regulatory frameworks and fostering international cooperation will be crucial for supporting sustainable space activities and boosting global space infrastructure resilience.

The increasing dependence on space systems marks a pivotal juncture for global infrastructure, where space acts not only as a strategic asset, but also as a critical enabler for diverse capabilities. This report outlines the emerging trends and necessary strategies to enhance the responsiveness of space operations.

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Unveiling space resilience

A resilient space system is one that can operate and recover after a disturbance. End-users increasingly rely on space infrastructure in their daily lives for navigation, communication, weather observation, and much more. In an era of changing geopolitical landscapes and technological developments, resilient space infrastructures that meet the ever-changing demands of end-users are paramount.

Unfortunately, space infrastructures face various risks, including physical and virtual threats. Technical issues that can disrupt normal operations or entire satellite missions are also common. Despite these vulnerabilities, there is a lack of redundancy systems and protective measures in place. As our reliance on space assets grows there is a need for enhanced protection, reutilization and rapid replenishment strategies to secure national sovereignty and autonomy, increasing the demand for resilient infrastructures and responsive systems.

Building an ecosystem for responsive space

Responsive space depends on four key success factors to increase its effectiveness, primarily in the realms of cost efficiency and logistical complexity. Through our research and extensive interviews with experts from across the responsive space value chain, we have identified four critical bottlenecks in deploying responsive space systems:

1.
Availability of critical launch infrastructure: Being responsive means balancing dependencies on industrial players and partnering nations while being able to react quickly and access global resources. This can be achieved by establishing a portfolio of launch sites and vehicles to increase diversity and reach all orbits and inclinations and by enabling collaboration between launch operators and service providers across the value chain.
2.
Market availability of responsive space enabling technologies: There is a pressing need for academia, industry, and investors to invest further in R&D, as transitioning responsive space assets from deployment to a fully-operational state is closely tied to technological advancements in the supply chain. This concerted effort can propel the development of assets, ensuring innovations in materials science, propulsion technologies, satellite communication, and data processing.
3.
Supply chain maturity: Responsive space depends on a complex network of specialized components and technologies that need high-level supplier expertise and interoperability. Sourcing and manufacturing these involve prolonged lead times and significant expense, but the market is limited to a few suppliers who can meet stringent standards, and by the inability to scale production to meet market fluctuations.
4.
Legal and regulatory hurdles: Like in other fields, the space industry must follow the regulations, laws and policies of nations or space agencies. In the context of responsive space, two areas are of particular interest: National and international laws and policies as well as organizational processes and policies.

Setting the course for space resilience

The discussion surrounding space resilience underscores a critical juncture in our growing reliance on space systems. It is essential for government and military entities to guarantee uninterrupted coverage for their operations, while commercial enterprises must maintain their service offerings. As space operations become increasingly integral to global infrastructure, it is paramount to develop a responsive and agile ecosystem capable of swiftly adapting to challenges and disruptions.

We defined the following recommendations for each of the players in the ecosystem to get space resilient:

1. Industry and providers of technology and infrastructure…	…must prioritize interoperability, security, and scalability. Moreover, fostering collaborative relationships is critical – forming consortia with governmental bodies, commercial entities, and academic institutions to co-develop technologies and harmonize global standards for space operations is essential.
2. End-users…	…play a pivotal role in shaping the development of tailored space solutions by clearly articulating their requirements and operational goals. Key strategies include outlining operational parameters, performance metrics, and application scenarios as well as maintaining open communication channels with solution providers.
3. Governments, policymakers, and investors…	…are urged to foster an environment favorable to innovation and collaboration in the space sector. To effectively balance national security with the commercialization and democratization of space technologies, it is crucial to develop clear regulatory frameworks, provide funding for R&D, and promote public-private partnerships.
4. Academia and R&D entities…	…play a crucial role in advancing space technology and theory through long-term innovations and fundamental research. Their collaboration with industry and government is essential for transforming theoretical advancements into practical applications, thus enhancing the resilience and responsiveness of space systems.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the space industry is poised at a critical juncture. The future will likely see greater emphasis on developing technologies that ensure rapid deployment and flexibility of space assets. This will involve advancements in on-orbit servicing, modular satellite designs, and AI-driven mission control systems that can dynamically respond to on-orbit conditions and threats.

In essence, the path forward involves not just safeguarding space assets, but advancing global connectivity, security, and technological leadership to meet the ever-changing demands for space capabilities and opportunities. This journey underscores a strategic imperative that spans governmental, commercial, and scientific interests, highlighting the universal value and critical nature of space in the modern world.

Dan Osrin, Ludwig Biller, Felix Wiedenhaupt, Fabia Höhne, Kerin Hartmann, Hannah Müller and Oskar Mix have also contributed to this report.