On Monday 30 June 2025, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) was pleased to host a Vienna Space Diplomat (VSD) Evening Event as a side event to the 67th Session of UN COPUOS under the theme: “Towards a Safe and Sustainable Cislunar Space: Policy Priorities for European Engagement” to launch its latest report under the same name.
With humanity returning to the Moon, a new wave of missions is turning cislunar space into a strategic frontier; yet, missions are currently not sufficiently protected. In this context, Europe has the opportunity to address cislunar safety as an integral part of a reinforced exploration ambition, de-risking future European institutional and commercial missions alike.
The latest ESPI report looks into:
- The key safety and technical issues arising from the properties of the cislunar environment.
- Public policy positions and existing action on cislunar safety in Europe and worldwide.
- Policy arguments supporting European action in cislunar safety.
Exploration is a critical component enabling a strong, autonomous space sector. By complementing a broader exploration ambition with a concerted effort on cislunar safety, Europe can ensure that it reaps its full benefits.
The report zeroes in on critical issues in cislunar Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management, Debris and End-of-Life, and Space Weather, advocating for increased action on these topics. The report finds that further investments in cislunar safety would allow Europe to proceed with lunar exploration efficiently and effectively, achieving the broader space policy priorities it has set for itself.
Per national policy and strategy documents as well as statements at the UN, EU and ESA, Member States view lunar exploration as synergistic with declared space policy interests, such as commercialisation, norm-setting and the pursuit of general sustainability interests. International counterparts also view lunar exploration as aligned with their space policy priorities, notably international leadership. According to the results of a survey conducted for this study, stakeholders in Europe and internationally also believe that cislunar safety action is an integral element of an increased exploration ambition.
In line with the identified policy priorities in formal documents, public statements and interviews, the Report proposes five key arguments advocating for European action in cislunar safety. Considering the importance of safe lunar exploration to the world’s space powers and given the calls for an increased European engagement in lunar exploration, Europe’s question should no longer be whether or when to act, but instead how to do so most effectively.
As lunar missions surge, cislunar space is becoming a key strategic frontier. Europe now faces a critical choice: lead in shaping (cis)lunar policy or lag behind global competitors and forfeit its role in shaping the governance of the lunar domain.
Find a selection of photos from the event below:
