Original research article
Przegląd Europejski – European Studies Quarterly

Political challenges of creating the EU Space Policy

2026, No. 3

Aleksandra Rozmus

0009-0001-4770-3577

University of Silesia (Katowice, Polska)

DOI

10.31338/1641-2478pe.3.26.2

Publication date

24.09.2026

Submission date

02.03.2026

Acceptance date

27.07.2026

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Social sciences

Discipline

political and administrative sciences, international relations, sociology, law, economics and finance, management and quality studies, social communication and media studies

Language of publication

English

Number of views:35

Number of downloads:0

Crossref citations:0

Altmetric score:0

Abstract

This article examines the political challenges of creating the EU Space Policy, based on the analysis of official EU documents and information provided by national space agencies of EU Member States. Taking into account the main EU bodies and agencies responsible for creating EU Space Policy and delving into the EU–ESA relations, the author focuses on examining differences in approaches to the development of space policy among EU Member States. This study indicates that the existence of various approaches to space is the biggest political challenge, but also the biggest opportunity in the process of creation of EU Space Policy. Issues like climate change, environment, defence, space economy and competitiveness are the main themes appearing among the EU Member States’ space policies that are impacting EU Space Policy. Another important question is the potential impact of unpredictable shifts in the U.S.–EU relations on the long-term planning and implementation of various NASA-funded projects, as cuts in such funding may cause delays or require changes to ongoing activities. The European Union as an emerging space actor needs to balance its partnership well and to adapt a multidisciplinary approach to the creation of EU Space Policy. Furthermore, in order to become a relevant agent in space, the EU needs to utilise all members’ space capabilities.

Keywords:

EU Space Policy,European Union (EU),political challenges,international cooperation,European Space Agency (ESA),Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

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