Description
To the untrained eye, the assumption is that the space-age came of age with the moon landings. However, it is now, in the 21st century that we see space as truly central to our day-to-day life, fundamental to military manoeuvres, and playing an essential part in state based strategic power play. Although not a state in so many words, the EU has taken this step forward with serious intent, and we see space and security now mentioned together with growing regularity as the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) takes a front seat in the management of the EU’s satellite constellations, Galileo and Copernicus.
This paper will first highlight the strategic importance of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) satellite constellations such as the USA’s GPS, China’s Bei Dou, Russia’s GLONASS and the EU’s Galileo.
The paper will go on to look at the IPE of the EU’s constellations, asking – has the EU achieved economic sovereignty regarding development, construction and maintenance.
The paper will then ask: does a modern state, or indeed supranational body, need a PNT satellite constellation to achieve security autonomy? And to that end, what does the development and ownership of Galileo say about the strategic importance of the EU on the global stage?
