Read more about the article European Space Strategic Autonomy
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European Space Strategic Autonomy

This paper examines the European Union's pursuit of strategic autonomy in the increasingly contested space domain, a critical aspect of contemporary geopolitics. Through an analysis of EU space policies and strategies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the current quest of the EU towards the achievement of European space strategic autonomy. The findings reveal that the intense astropoliticisation of space has reignited the hard power dimensions of space, pushing the EU to make substantial progress in developing autonomous space capabilities, especially in the field of defence and security. Despite the high ambition and commitment demonstrated by the EU, several institutional and material challenges continue to impede its path to full strategic autonomy.

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24 February 2025
Read more about the article The Ariane 6 Rocket: Europe’s Civilian and Military Sovereignty in Space at Stake. Private Competition and Reusability in the Future of European Space Policy 
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The Ariane 6 Rocket: Europe’s Civilian and Military Sovereignty in Space at Stake. Private Competition and Reusability in the Future of European Space Policy 

Ariane 6 is set to be the next flagship launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA). On 30 November 2023, after years of delays and unfortunate circumstances, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher finally announced that the rocket’s first flight will take place in the summer of 2024 (Foust, 2023d). [VI1] Ariane 6 is designed to carry into orbit payloads commissioned by private contractors, national governments, ESA member states and the European Union Space Programme (EUSPA). It aims to replace the recently retired Ariane 5 rocket, which was entrusted with the delivery of Europe’s heaviest and most advanced payloads during its 117-flights-long career from 1996 to 2023  (ESA, n.d. - a).

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6 December 2023
Read more about the article Legal Dimensions of the Militarization of Space: An Examination of International Space Law 
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Legal Dimensions of the Militarization of Space: An Examination of International Space Law 

Space law is a complex system governing outer space activities which comprises international treaties, conventions, United Nations General Assembly resolutions, as well as rules and regulations of international organisations. This paper will lay the international legal framework of space law, examining key documents like the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967. Beyond this legal framework, the paper explores the militarisation of outer space, scrutinizing the intersection between space law and the evolving military activities taking place in outer space.

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5 December 2023
Read more about the article IRIS²: The Dawn of EU Leadership in Space? 
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IRIS²: The Dawn of EU Leadership in Space? 

As great power politics returns to the world stage, so does space policy. States that can afford to are funnelling money into their space programmes in pursuit of everything from space-based weaponry to technological development, research, and communications. The European Union, in a bid to become the leading space actor, has also launched a flurry of projects and established both an operational agency and a specialised directorate-general for its space policy.

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4 December 2023
Read more about the article THE ISSUE OF FRAGMENTATION IN EU SPACE GOVERNANCE
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THE ISSUE OF FRAGMENTATION IN EU SPACE GOVERNANCE

With the advent of the so-called “space race” era during the Cold War, states started giving major consideration to developing their space capabilities, having realised the many advantages they could bring. Indeed, military operations in space primarily concern satellite-based surveillance, communications, and intelligence operations, thus allowing states to benefit from them as space-related development can, among many things, extend the range and capabilities of communications, improve missile early warning and enhance situational awareness beyond any terrestrial capability.

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30 November 2023