Have your say – Space Programme
You can also get involved in forming EU laws. The European Commission would like to hear your views on laws and policies currently in development. They offer a platform “Have your say” with the list of all new EU initiatives open for public consultation. You need to register to write your feedback. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
There are always 5 stages of each EU initiative, each stage is open for public consultation for a specific time frame:
- In preparation
- Call for evidence
- Public consultation
- Draft act
- Commission adoption
Mid-term evaluation of the Space Programme
About this initiative: EU Space Programme is segmented in several components: Galileo and EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) for satellite navigation, Copernicus for earth observation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for space surveillance, and GOVSATCOM for satellite communication, and horizontal measures as CASSINI (entrepreneurship support).
Feedback period: for stage 2 it is 12 October 2023 – 09 November 2023
Feedback from Europeans for Safe Connections
The EU Space Programme Regulation (EU) 2021/696 established the EU Space Programme for 2021-2027 and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). “Europeans for Safe Connections” want to comment on two segments: Space Surveillance (SSA) and GOVSATCOM.
In the Political Context of the initiative is written: “The Space Regulation promotes the use of space data and services to develop value-adding applications that have become indispensable in the lives of Europeans, for example when using mobile phones or car navigation systems, for precision farming or environmental monitoring.“
“Europeans for Safe Connections” are concerned about the risk to data by being connected full-time to more or less the same network. In the event of hacking, all data will be compromised and vital services may be shut down for longer periods with no possibility of rapid repair. This could include vital facilities such as water pump and lock management, traffic management, electricity plants, water supply, etc. We propose that network access should be cabled and broken down into smaller manageable units that will not put the safety, security and operational reliability of vital systems in an entire country or region at risk.
In the Political Context of the initiative is written: “The Space Programme supports the space industry and fosters Europe’s space technological leadership and resilience throughout the whole value chain. It promotes entrepreneurship and competitiveness, boosting startups and disruptive innovation, to ensure that the European space ecosystem remains a hub in the world.“
“Europeans for Safe Connections” think that side effects of intense use of space should be considered carefully before large activities are promoted. We already see serious concerns expressed by the current users of space. However so far no action is taken to investigate this issue. We think there is a need for international space law to properly regulate all activities in Space by various countries. This legal base is needed to assure safety and the control of environmental impact.
We think that Europe should not get involved in this race and should be a leader in honouring values of humanity. Therefore, we ask the Union to invoke relevant international treaties until an international space law is applicable and call for an immediate halt to mega-constellations of telecommunications satellites being launched worldwide pending satisfactory assessment of their environmental effects and consequent limitation/ban of artificial constellations.
In the Regulation is stated that “The rise of quantum computers adds an additional threat. … quantum computers will be able to decrypt content that is currently encrypted. The European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI)10 initiative aims at developing future-proof cryptographic systems…”
“Europeans for Safe Connections” think that this “…aims at developing…” does not sound safe or secure but more like advertising and empty promises. We have seen all too often that hackers are at the forefront and that public and private networks can be seriously compromised with leaks of medical data, personal ID numbers, insurance company data and much more.
The principle of minimization of objects in space must be instituted, limiting deployments to essential uses which will benefit humanity and not commerce and race.
INCONSISTENCY WITH OTHER UNION POLICIES we mention in our another feedback: signstop5g.eu/en/news/have-your-say-eu-satellites
In short: Satellites have a 10 year lifespan, scientists call for Quiet Skies, long-term sustainability guidelines require avoiding harmful contamination, comercial services must not precede citizens’ best interest and precautionary principle. Satellites are resource demanding, ozone depleting, environment polluting.
Best regards
Petra Bertova
on behalf of Europeans for Safe Connections
This feedback was sent from a wired internet connection
– No use of harmful radiation
– Less electricity consumption
– Increased data security
Link to our feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13948-Mid-term-evaluation-of-the-Space-Programme/F3440496_en
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