Expansion of the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking Partnership
Introduction
On December 17, 2025, the European Commission authorized Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Luxembourg to join the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Partnership through the adoption of Implementing Decision C(2025)8684. This announcement marks a significant advancement for the EU SST initiative, which is crucial for protecting space assets against the rising threat of in-orbit collisions due to increasing space activities.
The EU SST Partnership: An Exemplary Model of Cooperation
The EU SST Partnership is a leading example of collaborative efforts among EU Member States. Currently, 15 Member States are engaged in a network that protects more than 600 satellites by:
- Detecting and mitigating potential collisions.
- Providing critical information regarding in-orbit fragmentations and uncontrolled re-entries of space objects.
Recent Developments in Membership
Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Luxembourg expressed their intent to join the EU SST Partnership in late 2024. The European Commission outlined a structured process for new entrants through an Implementing Decision adopted in June 2025. Following a thorough evaluation, these nations submitted their applications and were deemed eligible by September.
The official acknowledgment of their membership underscores the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among EU nations, the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), and pertinent stakeholders, resulting in multiple achievements in a condensed timeframe.
Enhanced Contributions to Space Safety
The inclusion of these four Member States is anticipated to deliver added value to the existing EU SST framework. Their involvement is expected to:
- Strengthen the EU’s autonomy and self-reliance in space surveillance.
- Enhance the overall safety and sustainability of European space operations.
Future Milestones for the EU SST Partnership
The EU SST Partnership is poised for further developments, including:
- Signing of comprehensive EU SST agreements that incorporate the four new members.
- Extensions of funding grants aimed at co-financing EU SST activities until mid-2028.
Background on EU Space Surveillance and Tracking
The EU SST serves as a fundamental subcomponent of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) segment within the EU Space Programme. Its core responsibilities include:
- Protecting EU space assets, including key satellite programs like Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, and GOVSATCOM, as well as future projects like IRIS².
- Utilizing a sophisticated network of ground-based sensors for the monitoring and tracking of space objects, thereby optimizing data collection and analysis.
This capability is pivotal in minimizing the risk of collisions and managing challenges associated with debris, in-orbit fragmentations, and uncontrolled re-entries into Earth’s atmosphere.
Conclusion
The expansion of the EU SST Partnership signifies a concerted effort by European nations to bolster space safety and enhance operational autonomy. The collective objective is to advance the EU’s capabilities in space surveillance and contribute to the security of its space assets in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.
