Alden Orrery – Regulatory Briefing – June 2025
INTERNATIONAL
UNOOSA and the Commonwealth sign Joint Declaration on Space Cooperation for Sustainable Development
On 12 June 2025, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) announced it had signed a Joint Declaration with the Commonwealth Secretariat to enhance cooperation on space-based solutions for sustainable development. The Declaration gives effect to a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commonwealth and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, marking a significant step toward ensuring that space technologies contribute meaningfully to communities across the Commonwealth.
Under the Joint Declaration, UNOOSA and the Commonwealth Secretariat will collaborate on a range of activities, including:
- conducting technical advisory missions (TAMs) and capacity-building to support disaster preparedness, ocean monitoring, climate resilience and sustainable urban planning;
- providing expert guidance on space law and policy to strengthen regulatory environments and support national space capabilities;
- promoting the participation of Commonwealth nations in global space governance;
- empowering women and youth through initiatives such as UNOOSA’s Space4Women and Space4Youth; and
- ensuring that Commonwealth countries benefit from affordable and timely access to high-resolution space data.
The Joint Declaration enters into effect immediately and underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that all nations can benefit from space technologies in support of sustainable development.
Alden is pleased to support the TAMs and the excellent work of UNOOSA in this regard.
Space4Ocean Alliance launched at UN Ocean Conference
The Space4Ocean (S4O) Alliance was officially launched at the close of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in 2025, held in Nice, France.
At a high-level event organised by UNOOSA, François Jacq, CEO of the French Space Agency (CNES), formally handed over the commitments of the 27 founding members to Ambassador Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. The Declarations of Interest were signed on 9 June 2025.
Led by CNES, the international coalition seeks to bridge the space and ocean sectors by promoting the use of space-based technologies to support sustainable ocean management and protection. Bringing together space, marine and maritime actors, the S4O Alliance aims to strengthen international cooperation to preserve and protect ocean and coastal ecosystems through practical, technology-driven action.
EUROPE
European Commission
European Commission publishes EU Space Act
On 25 June 2025, the European Commission published “The Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the Union” (EU Space Act).
The overarching goal of the EU Space Act is to remove disparities in national approaches to the implementation of international space law by the EU Member States to prevent the fragmentation of the internal market, encourage competitiveness and support the functioning of space cross-border value chains.
The EU Space Act is structured around three core pillars: safety; resilience; and sustainability. These pillars reflect the EU’s strategic objectives to ensure that space operations are conducted securely, that space infrastructure is robust against potential threats or disruptions, and that the long-term use of the space environment is protected for future generations.
The general objectives of the EU Space Act are stated to be:
- (a) the establishment of a Union framework for the provision of space-based data and space services by Union space operators in a way that enables a stable, predictable and competitive business environment that also fosters innovation;
- (b) ensuring trackability of space objects and reducing the generation of space debris;
- (c) creating a risk assessment framework tailored to the specific cybersecurity needs of space infrastructure; and
- (d) creating a common method to calculate the environmental impact of space activities in the Union.
As a Regulation, the EU Space Act applies to all Member States directly once adopted by the EU. It is a binding legislative instrument and must be applied in its entirety across the EU Member States.
The initiative is expected to provide greater legal certainty in the Union, but there is a concern that this may come at a cost to national interests and add a layer of additional bureaucracy and duplication.
European Space Agency (ESA)
ESA Council approves resolution for European Resilience from Space (ERS) Programme
On 12 June 2025, European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher announced that the ESA Council has approved a resolution supporting the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme. The resolution represents a key legal and procedural step, enabling the programme to be formally considered at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting (CM25) in November 2025.
ERS will initially focus on the development of a satellite constellation capable of delivering frequent, high-resolution Earth observation imagery. Aschbacher noted that the programme will likely adopt a model similar to Copernicus, with ESA leading the early development phases and the European Union funding later stages.
United Kingdom (UK)
Astroscale UK and Open Cosmos win UK defence contract for Space Situational Awareness
On 16 June 2025, it was announced that Astroscale UK and UK-based Open Cosmos have been awarded a £5.15 million contract by the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for the Orpheus space domain awareness mission.
Orpheus is scheduled for launch in 2027 and aims to advance the understanding of space weather and enhance space situational awareness. Orpheus is a collaborative initiative involving UK industry, government, academia and international partners in Canada and the United States.
Under the contract, Open Cosmos will design and build two near-identical mini satellites, which will be operated by Astroscale UK. The satellites will fly in formation to observe and collect critical data using in-situ and remote sensing techniques.
Italy
Italy approves Space Economy Law
On 11 June 2025, the Italian Senate approved the country’s first Space Economy Law, establishing a comprehensive national legal framework for space activities and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth in the sector.
The law designates the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as the national technical authority for space activities, granting it powers of authorisation, supervision and enforcement. This move fills a longstanding regulatory gap and provides greater legal clarity for the authorisation of space activities in Italy.
In addition to strengthening regulatory oversight, the legislation sets out rules and guidance for both civil and dual-use space activities carried out by Italian operators.
The law also actively promotes investment in the space economy through enhancing private sector access and encouraging the participation of SMEs and start-ups. It supports the development of innovative technologies, infrastructure and entrepreneurial initiatives, positioning Italy as an increasingly proactive player in the global space economy.
Latvia
Latvia accedes to the Outer Space Treaty
On 23 May 2025, Latvia officially acceded to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty).
Adopted in 1967, the Outer Space Treaty is the cornerstone of international space law and the first of five UN treaties governing space activities. It establishes key principles for the peaceful use and exploration of outer space and underpins the work of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which Latvia joined in December 2024. Upon Latvia’s accession, the Outer Space Treaty has now been ratified by 116 states.
Germany
NASA extends cooperation with German Aerospace Center for Artemis II Mission
On 16 June 2025, NASA Acting Administrator, Janet Petro, signed a new agreement with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to continue their partnership in space medicine research, building on prior collaboration in radiation mitigation efforts for human spaceflight.
Under the agreement, DLR will provide new radiation sensors aboard the Orion spacecraft during NASA’s Artemis II mission. Artemis II builds upon the success of the uncrewed Artemis I in 2022. The Artemis II test flight is a 10-day mission in which four astronauts will venture around the Moon abord the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, scheduled for launch no later than April 2026.
Commenting on the agreement, Petro stated: “The German Aerospace Center has been a valuable partner in Artemis, having previously worked with NASA to test technology critical to our understanding of radiation on humans aboard an Orion spacecraft on Artemis I and providing a CubeSat as part of Artemis II.” Petro added: “I am excited to build upon our great partnership with Germany.”
AFRICA
Nigeria
Jaguar Space signs MoUs with Nigeria’s Space Agency and Space in Africa
On 12 June 2025, it was announced that Jaguar Space has entered into two individual MoUs with Space in Africa and the Nigerian Space Agency (NASRDA), focused on advancing space-based agricultural research.
The MoU signed between Jaguar Space and Space in Africa provides a framework for mutual support in developing space-based agricultural experiments using African seeds, selected for their cultural, economic and ecological importance.
The MoU with NASRDA seeks to enhance cooperation on microgravity research involving key Nigerian crops such as maize, cowpea, groundnut, sorghum, okra and amaranth. The partnership aims to generate new insights that contribute to long-term strategies for food security and sustainable agriculture.
Egypt
Egyptian Space Agency and Axiom Space sign MoU for Human Spaceflight Cooperation
On 23 May 2025, the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) and Axiom Space signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and utilisation of outer space. The agreement establishes a framework for joint initiatives including human spaceflight efforts.
The partnership aims to support Egypt’s growing role in the global space sector by providing a foundation for advancing groundbreaking research and exploring opportunities such as in-space manufacturing.
Speaking on the MoU, Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of EgSA, said: “This MoU reflects a shared commitment to advancing space technology and scientific research while enhancing the institutional capabilities of both parties.”
ASIA
South Korea
South Korea grants regulatory licence for Eutelsat OneWeb LEO services
On 2 June 2025, it was announced that the South Korean Government has officially granted a regulatory licence for the deployment of Eutelsat OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services, supported by local terminal infrastructure from South Korea-based Intellian Technologies Inc. The announcement was made jointly by Intellian and the Eutelsat Group.
In a first-of-its-kind decision, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) approved a cross-border supply agreement for satellite internet services, setting a significant regulatory precedent in the country. The licence paves the way for the commercial rollout of OneWeb’s LEO connectivity across South Korea’s maritime, defence, government and enterprise sectors, marking a key step toward next-generation satellite broadband access.
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Canada and ESA reaffirm strategic space cooperation
On 6 June 2025, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and ESA signed a Joint Statement reaffirming Canada and ESA’s cooperation in space exploration, technology development and scientific research.
This signature marks a key milestone in the mid-term review of the Canada-ESA Cooperation Agreement, underscoring the continued strength and strategic importance of the collaboration.
Commenting on the signature, The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the CSA, said: “Today’s signature is about reaffirming Canada’s long-standing commitment to its collaboration with ESA, which has consistently yielded proven results for our Canadian space sector. As our focus is to unleash a new era of growth for our country, space represents the perfect domain to advance innovation and contributes to our goal of building a stronger Canada.”
United States
US Senators introduce Quad Space Act to boost strategic space cooperation
On 5 June 2025, United States Senators Michael Bennet and Kevin Cramer introduced the bipartisan Quad Space Act, aimed at strengthening strategic coordination in space among the United States, Australia, India and Japan – members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or “Quad.”
The proposed legislation would direct the Secretary of Defense to initiate discussions with Quad partners to identify shared priorities in the space domain, including space situational awareness, industrial policy and broader space security cooperation.
Commenting on the proposed legislation, Senator Cramer stated: “The Quad’s alignment addresses shared security challenges between our countries, and we recognise the importance of space as a strategic domain. The Quad Space Act protects our interests by deepening space cooperation with trusted partners and reaffirming our commitment to advancing a free and open region.”
OCEANIA
Australia
Telesat partners with Vocus to build Australia’s first Lightspeed landing station
On 10 June 2025, global satellite operator Telesat announced a partnership with Vocus, an Australian digital infrastructure provider, to build the country’s first Telesat Lightspeed landing station.
Under the agreement, Vocus will construct and operate the ground station in New South Wales and provide fibre connectivity to Telesat’s point of presence (PoP), connecting Telesat’s Lightspeed LEO satellite constellation to terrestrial networks, providing secure, low-latency satellite services across the region.
The long-term partnership also includes the provision of Telesat Lightspeed services once the network becomes operational.
If you would like more information on any topics in this Orrery Regulatory Briefing, please contact orrery@wearealden.com.
