Belgium and international space policy

Did you know that our FPS has an active presence at the various international forums where space policy is determined? This is how we keep an overview and pick up on issues where the space nation of Belgium can add value.

Humans are increasingly making use of 'outer space', the space beyond the atmosphere of our blue planet. We no longer even consider that many everyday applications, such as GPS and global TV broadcasting, depend on that space, or at least on the satellites floating there.

Hyperconnectivity

Research also often calls upon space to address global challenges such as climate change. Consider remote sensing, in which satellites scan the Earth's surface to track, for example, deforestation of the Amazon rainforest or melting ice caps. Remote sensing can also advance agriculture in developing countries.

Moreover, digitalisation is leading to an increasing need for 'hyperconnectivity'. Initially, it was thought that fibre-optic cables could guarantee a high-performance worldwide web, but it now appears that significant loss does occur when the information must travel over distances greater than 500 km. Therefore, we are turning back to satellites to achieve stable hyperconnectivity around the world.

International regulation

It has become quite crowded in cosmic space. Thoughtful regulation is urgently needed, if only to prevent countries, research institutions and companies from getting in each other's way in that space. The goal remains that space travel should benefit all of humanity on Earth.

As a champion of multilateralism – solving global problems through international organisations – Belgium is actively pushing for impactful agreements at a global level. Indeed, we were instrumental in the creation of the Space Treaty, which in 1966 laid the foundations for peaceful collaboration in space.

Since then, numerous international organisations – within the United Nations (UN) system and beyond – have come into existence to address the various aspects of those regulations. One important forum is COPUOS in Vienna, or the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The UN General Assembly's remit also covers committees and working groups dealing with aspects of space travel, such as the sustainable use of outer space or avoiding the placement of weapons in space.

In addition, there are numerous other forums where space is discussed such as within the European Union, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). Not to mention specific organisations such as ITSO (International Telecommunication Satellite Organization), IMSO (International Mobile Satellite Organization) and EUTELSAT IGO (European Telecommunications Satellite Organization).

Belgium a space country

So a lot is happening around cosmic space at the international level. It is therefore crucial that Belgium – which presents itself as a space nation – is well-informed and has a finger in the pie as to all that is discussed. Since Belgium does not have a national space agency, our FPS Foreign Affairs stepped up to defend Belgium's interests as a space nation within international organisations.

Staff at the main administration, as well as in our posts, monitor what is going on within all these international organisations and in the various capital cities. This is how we keep an overview and pick up on issues where Belgium can add value.

As Foreign Affairs, we cannot take on the role of technical reference department, but we can contribute by advocating for more and better regulation and international collaboration. In this sense, we aspire to be as complementary as possible to BELSPO – the federal science policy department – which does have the necessary technical know-how.

Hot topics

What's on the table these days? One of the hot topics is the regulations around 'space resources' or the natural resources in outer space, which is being developed within the UN. It involves the potential extraction of oxygen, water, energy and raw materials in space so that a long-term human presence becomes possible. Although mining is not for the very near future, it is essential to work out the rules now. After all, companies need legal certainty, including through temporary concessions.

The use of 'orbital pathways' will also be discussed. At these points or orbits in space, there is hardly any gravity and spacecraft such as probes, satellites or space stations can maintain their orbits with very little energy. The challenge lies in distributing limited available traffic lanes or resources fairly as demand increases.

In addition to space agencies, private companies are also increasingly active in space. In order to have global reach, companies such as SpaceX use large configurations or groups of satellites. But these can disrupt the ideal conditions for scientists to make observations. Once again, a topic that requires consultation, including within COPUOS.

Another important issue is space traffic management. Because space has become so crowded that traffic and behavioural rules are becoming indispensable. It is becoming even riskier now that more and more space debris is floating around, such as debris from satellites and other spacecraft. Major players in space such as Europe (EU and ESA), the United States, Japan and Canada, as well as countries such as China and India, are already engaged in thought exercises in this regard.

ESA

Europe also wants to establish itself as a space power – including through the ESA, the European Space Agency. This is an intergovernmental organisation with 22 member states, including non-EU countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Norway. Purpose: To explore how to use space for the welfare of Europe and the world.

Belgium – being a space nation - is also a member of ESA. Not only that, Belgium is the fifth-largest contributor. Just recently, the ESA appointed Raphaël Liégeois as the third Belgian astronaut – quite an honour for Belgium. In Redu, Belgium, the ESA is establishing a cyber security centre, crucial for protecting space systems.

Furthermore, the Belgian company Redwire Space from Antwerp supplied the satellites for the important ESA project Proba-3. The Proba-3 satellites will study the sun's influence on our atmosphere. After all, solar storms can disrupt digital equipment such as satellites, smartphones and transmission towers.

So Belgium is very closely involved with the ESA. BELSPO may be the main Belgian government body active within the ESA, but Foreign Affairs is also keeping its ear to the ground through this space travel organisation's International Relations Committee.

The ESA and the EU are working increasingly closely together on space travel and the use of outer space, including through the EU Space Programme Agency (EUSPA). Since 2021, the EUPSA has been responsible for the operational management of EU flagship programmes such as Galileo, Copernicus, EGNOS and soon IRIS².

In short, outer space is gaining considerable importance and is making a great many waves at the international level. Our FPS is keeping a finger on the pulse and making Belgium's voice heard through its diplomatic network. This is how we are supporting Belgium's image as a space nation, using our scientific and economic assets.