AIR Centre’s Deputy Executive Director, Mafalda Carapuço, attended the EU Space Act: Dialogues with the European Commission meeting today, April 10, hosted by the Portuguese Space Agency (Portugal Space) at Teatro Thalia in Lisbon. The event featured the participation of Rodolphe Muñoz from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), followed by a round table with key actors from the national space ecosystem and representatives of European institution responsible for regulation, security, and the development of the space sector, to discuss the implications and opportunities presented by the forthcoming EU Space Act.

The debate centred on the impact of the proposed legislation at both national and European levels, spanning four key dimensions: the competitiveness of the European space sector, long-term sustainability, governance structures, and the consolidation of a single space market.

Identified by the European Commission as a key priority, the EU Space Act is a pivotal initiative introducing a harmonised regulatory framework for space activities across all Member States. The proposal, launched on 25 June 2025, is built around three pillars: Safety, Resilience, and Sustainability of European space operations, while reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU space sector on the global stage.

The new rules will apply to both EU and non-EU operators providing space services in Europe, with proportional requirements scaled according to company size and risk profile, ensuring a fair and innovation-friendly environment for the entire sector, from established players to emerging space ventures.

[PC, 10 April 2026]