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Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Luxembourg are on track to become the newest members of the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) Partnership, marking an important step forward for Europe’s collective efforts to keep space safe and sustainable
On 17 December 2025, the European Commission adopted Implementing Decision C(2025)8684, formally approving the applications of the four countries to join the partnership.
The decision marks a major change to the EU SST subcomponent of the EU Space Programme, which plays a crucial role in protecting satellites from the growing risk of orbital collisions.
Strengthening Europe’s space safety efforts
The EU SST Partnership is an example of practical EU cooperation in space. Currently, 15 EU Member States pool their national space surveillance assets and expertise to monitor objects orbiting the Earth.
Together, they help safeguard more than 600 satellites by providing collision-avoidance services, monitoring in-orbit fragmentation, and tracking uncontrolled re-entries of space objects into Earth’s atmosphere.
With the rapid increase in space activities, including the number of satellites and orbital debris, the importance of such cooperation continues to grow. The addition of Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Luxembourg will further enhance the partnership’s capacity to monitor space and respond to potential risks.
A fast and coordinated accession process
The path to membership for the four new countries began in late 2024, when they formally declared their interest in joining the EU SST Partnership. In response, the European Commission adopted an Implementing Decision in June 2025 that set out a clear procedure for admitting new members.
Following this, the four Member States submitted their applications over the summer. These applications were assessed and deemed eligible by the Commission in September. The final green light came in December, reflecting close coordination between EU Member States, the Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), and other stakeholders.
Added value for EU autonomy in space
The Commission’s decision confirms that the contributions from Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Luxembourg will bring real added value to the existing EU SST system. Their participation will strengthen Europe’s non-dependence and autonomy in space surveillance and tracking, reducing reliance on external data sources.
By expanding the network of sensors, data processing capabilities and expertise, the partnership will be better equipped to protect European space infrastructure and promote long-term space safety and sustainability. This is particularly important as Europe continues to invest in major space programmes and prepares for future missions.
What comes next for the EU SST partnership
Several key milestones are expected in the coming months. These include the signature of the relevant EU SST agreements to formally integrate the four new members into the partnership, as well as the conclusion of a grant extension to co-finance EU SST activities until mid-2028.
These steps will ensure continuity and stability for the programme, allowing it to keep pace with the evolving space environment and the increasing demands placed on space surveillance services.
Understanding what the EU SST is
EU SST is a subcomponent of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) framework under the EU Space Programme. Its mission is to safeguard space assets, with a particular focus on EU flagship programmes such as Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM and the future IRIS² constellation.
By using a network of ground-based sensors and advanced data processing capabilities, EU SST helps reduce the risk of collisions, monitor space debris, and provide timely information on potential threats. The expansion of the partnership reinforces Europe’s commitment to responsible and sustainable use of space for the benefit of all.