Council replaces 2021 space security decision with broader threat response architecture

The Council of the European Union adopted on 28 September 2026 Decision (CFSP) 2026/2195, which establishes the European Union Space Threat Response Architecture (STRA) and repeals Decision (CFSP) 2021/698. The decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, L series, of 29 September 2026, and enters into force on the day of its publication. It sets out how the Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy respond to hostile acts against satellites and essential space services.

From a narrow security rule to a full architecture

The decision is adopted under Article 28 of the Treaty on European Union, on a proposal from the High Representative, and replaces the framework in force since 2021 — Decision (CFSP) 2021/698 of 30 April 2021 (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 178). The Council states that space technology, data and services have become indispensable for European societies and economies, while outer space is “an increasingly congested and contested domain”. Drawing on the experience of implementing the 2021 decision, it concludes that STRA must be reinforced “with additional responses” and its scope expanded to new threats.

STRA covers two situations: a threat to the security of the Union or of one or more Member States arising from the deployment, operation or use of any space system, and a threat to the operation of a space system or the provision of a space service whose denial or interruption would harm fundamental interests. It also applies to systems and services set up under the Union Space Programme (Regulation (EU) 2021/696) and the Union Secure Connectivity Programme (Regulation (EU) 2023/588).

A dedicated space security toolbox

The decision creates a toolbox of measures that the High Representative may propose to the Council:

• Diplomatic responses: contacts with third States or international organisations, demarches, statements on behalf of the Union and diplomatic campaigns.
• Technical responses: instructions to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme or to an appointed security monitoring structure.
• Strategic communication action plans, implemented in coordination with Member States, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Commission and the Agency.
• Restrictive measures targeting relevant persons and entities.
• Modification of the mandate of a Common Security and Defence Policy mission or operation, or the establishment of a new one, where a threat originates from a third country’s territory.

Who decides, and how fast

Activation is a sovereign and voluntary decision: a Member State, or a group of Member States acting jointly, may ask the High Representative to submit a proposal for a Union response. The Council decides unanimously, after an opinion from the Political and Security Committee (PSC). In urgent cases the High Representative may adopt a provisional response and direct the Secretary-General of the EEAS to issue instructions to the Agency; the Council must then confirm, modify or revoke it no later than four weeks after it was adopted.

Intelligence, partners and preparedness

Threat identification relies on the classified Space Threat Landscape Analysis produced by the Single Intelligence Analysis Capability (SIAC), complemented by near real-time space domain awareness information provided voluntarily by Member State space commands and by the security monitoring centres of the Union Space Programme. The decision encourages third States and international organisations, “such as NATO”, to support Union risk analysis, and allows the High Representative to conclude administrative arrangements subject to unanimous Council approval. Member States must designate points of contact with access to a secure videoconferencing system, and the High Representative must prepare operational procedures for approval by the PSC, reviewed at least every two years after a yearly exercise. The Council will review the decision no later than five years after entry into force. It is signed by K. Kallas, President of the Council.

For European industry, operators and citizens, the change widens the Union’s reach: responses now cover hostile behaviour affecting any space system or essential space service, not only the security of the Union Space Programme, and put sanctions, diplomatic action and even CSDP missions on the table. The operational procedures developed under Decision (CFSP) 2021/698 remain applicable until they are updated under the new architecture.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, L series, 29 September 2026, OJ L 2026/2195 (official reference: Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2195, CELEX 32026D2195).