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• Sandra Erwin
The U.S. Space Force plans to modernize its busiest launch ranges so they can eventually handle surges of five to eight major operations a day. The effort is aimed at preventing aging range infrastructure from becoming a bottleneck as space activity grows.
Space Policy & International Cooperation
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Dr. Bianca Lins of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications discusses the case for a European space federation, the country’s first national space strategy and how trust can serve as a national asset. Her remarks at ESPI AC 2026 outline how Liechtenstein is positioning itself within Europe’s space sector.
At ESPI AC 2026, Étienne Schneider said Luxembourg’s space resources law helped unlock investment and argued that Europe needs a framework of its own. He identified stability as Europe’s strongest card in the space race, making the legal environment a strategic factor in competing for space-sector activity.
The U.S. Space Force plans to modernize its busiest launch ranges so they can eventually handle surges of five to eight major operations a day. The effort is aimed at preventing aging range infrastructure from becoming a bottleneck as space activity grows.
The European Union presented a new Arctic strategy focused on the region’s security, pledging to boost satellite surveillance, increase monitoring of undersea cables and help member states acquire icebreakers. The measures reflect a broader effort to strengthen awareness and capabilities in a region the bloc considers increasingly important to its security.
The U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna has launched a $5 million effort to build international space partnerships, tapping three parties for the initiative. The announcement puts a defined funding commitment behind U.S. space diplomacy, though the available report does not specify the partners or program details.
High activity
Uzbekistan signed the Artemis Accords in Samarkand on Oct. 19, becoming the 77th country to join the U.S.-led framework. The agreement commits the Republic to principles for safe, transparent and responsible civil space exploration and the peaceful use of space.
High activity
Europe’s push for strategic autonomy in space is running up against fragmented programs and insufficient launch capacity. The commentary asks whether the region can turn its sovereignty ambitions into action, pointing to a gap between strategic intent and the industrial and operational capabilities needed to deliver it.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. government ordered restrictions on Starlink service in Ukraine, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the throttling “somehow happened.” The dispute comes as reports describe delayed approval for Patriot interceptors and a supply rate of 12 missiles per month, below the level under Joe Biden.
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