Senior officials from the United States and the European Union gathered in Washington, D.C. on September 8–9, 2025, for the 13th U.S.-EU Space Dialogue
The two-day U.S.-EU Space Dialogue was part of a continued commitment to strengthening transatlantic cooperation in space and addressing shared challenges in a rapidly evolving space environment.
The U.S.-EU Space Dialogue brought together top representatives from both governments, agencies, and institutions responsible for shaping and implementing space policy. The discussions encompassed a wide range of critical issues, from space security to Earth observation and the future of commercial space travel.
First-ever U.S industry roundtable
One of the highlights of this year’s U.S.-EU Space Dialogue was the introduction of a U.S. Industry Roundtable, organised for the first time. The session served as a platform for the U.S. commercial space sector to engage directly with EU officials, providing industry perspectives and gaining clarity on the EU Space Act.
EU representatives emphasised their willingness to collaborate with American stakeholders and outlined the key objectives and principles of their space legislation. The roundtable helped foster a more open and constructive dialogue, signalling stronger cooperation between public institutions and the private sector in both regions.
High-level delegations and institutional representation
The European delegation was led by Catherine Kavvada, Director for Space at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), and Marjolijn van Deelen, Special Envoy for Space at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Other participants included experts from key European organisations such as the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The U.S. side was represented by officials from a broad range of departments and agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Commerce, NASA, the Department of Defence, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Senior representatives from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Interior, and the White House Office of the National Cyber Director also took part.
Areas of discussion
The U.S.-EU Space Dialogue covered a wide range of topics that reflect the increasing importance and complexity of global space activities. Policy updates from both the U.S. and EU were shared to foster mutual understanding and alignment. Key areas of discussion included:
- Space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), with a focus on cooperation between GNSS systems.
- Enhanced Earth observation partnerships, especially between EUMETSAT and NOAA, to support climate monitoring and disaster response.
- Space security and resilience, addressing cyber threats and the protection of critical infrastructure.
- Improved space situational awareness and coordination of space traffic to prevent collisions and manage debris.
- Integration of commercial space transportation into national airspace systems.
- Joint engagement in global and regional space governance through multilateral forums.
The Dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation and maintain open channels of communication between both sides of the Atlantic. The next U.S.-EU Space Dialogue is scheduled to take place in 2027 in Brussels, where discussions are expected to build on the progress made during this year’s meeting.
As space becomes increasingly central to economic, scientific, and security interests, continued collaboration between the United States and the European Union remains critical to ensuring a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment for future generations
