Space Surveillance and tracking (SST)

The start of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 of the European Union means at the same time the start of the new 'Space Programme of the European Union', also termed 'EU Space Programme'. It is composed of different elements, one of which is the 'Space Situational Awareness' (SSA) element. 'SSA' is a world-wide known concept that covers the monitoring, understanding and possibly predicting of those aspects of the space environment that pose a potential threat to space and ground assets, and to humans.

One of the threats that is dealt with within a dedicated component of the SSA Programme is the possible collision of satellites with other satellites and with space debris. The activity of observing, detecting and monitoring of man-made space objects is known as Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST).

Within the following 7 years, this EU SSA/SST Programme will undertake the following activities:

• Operating a network of SST sensors to survey and track space objects; the sensors are developed by the Member States and possibly ESA (see the ESA S2P/SST Programme component).
• Processing and analysis of SST data.
• Provision of SST services to the users (mainly spacecraft operators) concerning:
• collision avoidance
• in-orbit fragmentation
• uncontrolled re-entry in the atmosphere
• Seeking synergies with initiatives promoting the prevention and the elimination of space debris. 

This Programme is the successor of the SST Support Framework initiative of the European Commission in the period 2014-2020.

BELSPO provides inputs to this Programme through its representation in the relevant EU Programme Committee and Expert Group. Belgium has not participated in the SST Support Framework because our country has few capabilities in the field of SST.