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.
ESPI’s new report “Towards a Safe and Sustainable Cislunar Space: Policy Priorities for European Engagement” 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.
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.
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.
— Anastasiia Posnova, Junior Research Fellow
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.
— Sara Dalledonne, Research Fellow and Lead on EU Relations and Regulatory Affairs
For any questions about the report, please contact our Research Fellow and Lead on EU Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Sara Dalledonne.
