欧洲安全研究所-保障太空安全：太空如何支撑欧盟的战略指南针？（英文）-2021.4-8页_861kb

SECURING THE HEAVENS: Summary

Core Content

The document "Securing the Heavens" explores how space can support the EU's Strategic Compass, emphasizing the growing importance of space in both civil and military contexts. It highlights the need for the EU to integrate space into its security and defence strategies to address emerging threats such as weaponisation, congestion, and disruption in space.

Main Views

• Space as a Strategic Enabler: Space is critical for the EU's security, defence, and economic vitality, enabling crisis management, resilience, and technological innovation.
• Geopolitical Importance: The EU must recognize the strategic significance of space, especially as rival nations like the U.S., China, Russia, and India develop anti-satellite (ASAT) technologies and space-based capabilities.
• Current EU Initiatives: The EU is already investing in space through various programs such as the European Space Programme (EUSP), European Defence Fund (EDF), and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which are supporting the development of space-based capabilities and secure communication systems.
• Need for Strategic Integration: The Strategic Compass presents an opportunity for the EU to enhance the integration of space and defence, ensuring that space-related capabilities are effectively linked to security and defence objectives.

Key Information

Space Threats

• Weaponisation: The proliferation of ASATs by major powers poses a direct military threat, with the potential to disrupt critical EU space-based services.
• Congestion: The increasing number of satellites and space debris raises the risk of accidental collisions and makes space surveillance and tracking more complex.
• Disruption: Cyber threats, jamming, and spoofing can compromise space-based communication and navigation systems, affecting both civilian and military operations.

EU Space and Defence Initiatives

• EUSP (€13.2 billion): Supports modernization of Galileo and Copernicus, secure digital connections, quantum encryption, and broadband satellite constellations.
• EDF and PESCO: Fund R&D projects for space-defence technologies, including quantum secure communications, autonomous PNT systems, and persistent earth observation.
• SatCen: Plays a vital role in providing geospatial intelligence for CSDP missions and international partners, including the AU, IAEA, OPCW, OSCE, and UN.
• CASSINI Initiative: Invests €1 billion in space start-ups and innovation, promoting technological advancements and resilience.

Strategic Compass Integration

• Crisis Management: The Compass could lead to the development of a dedicated EU Space Exercise, enhancing understanding of space threats and improving operational readiness.
• Resilience: The EU must ensure the protection of critical space infrastructure and promote the security of supply chains, including the development of a 'Space and Defence Strategy'.
• Capabilities: Focus on enhancing Galileo's Public Regulated Service (PRS) and the EU Government Satellite Communications (GovSatCom) program to meet future defence needs.
• Partnerships: Strengthen cooperation with NATO, Japan, and Canada, and promote the responsible use of space through international agreements and norms.

Recommendations

• Political Attention: Increase high-level political focus on space and defence to ensure unity among member states.
• Investment in Technology: Invest in cutting-edge space-defence technologies such as anti-ASAT systems, quantum encryption, and secure communication networks.
• Integration of Defence Requirements: Ensure that defence needs are systematically integrated into broader space initiatives.
• Scenario Planning: Conduct scenario exercises like the 'EU Space Exercise' to better prepare for space-related security contingencies.

Conclusion

The EU must take a more strategic and integrated approach to space and defence to secure its interests in an increasingly contested and critical domain. The Strategic Compass offers a unique opportunity to elevate space to a central role in the Union's security and defence framework, ensuring that the EU can maintain its autonomy and resilience in the face of growing geopolitical competition in space.