New Space Security Strategies and Space Regulations Meet Industrial Growth

The Emerging CEE Powerhouse - New Impetus for Cooperation with CEE Sovereignty and security is now leading the way in Europe`s Space Security Future. Europe’s security landscape is shifting - and new capabilities matter more than ever. Germany’s Strategy offers Slovakia clear opportunities - from deeper defence and security cooperation to stronger industrial, innovation, academic and R&D ties. Michaela will underline why space resilience is essential for security on Earth and what the CEE region can offer: Strong deep?tech skills, production capacity, and friend/near?shoring opportunities. Central and Eastern Europe is entering a phase of accelerated growth within the European space ecosystem-and Slovakia offers a clear demonstration of what happens when sound national strategy is paired with well?designed regulation. With a focused space strategy, a solid local space law, targeted ESA engagement, and a maturing startup environment, Slovakia shows how even a smaller Member State can quickly build competencies and attract international partners. Zooming out, other CEE countries present diverse yet complementary strengths: Poland’s fast?expanding industrial base, Romania’s long-standing engineering heritage, the Czech Republic’s strong contributions to ESA programmes, and the Baltic states’ growing specialisation in cybersecurity and space data. Together, these markets offer untapped potential for cross-border industrial cooperation and an increasingly important voice within ESA. But this momentum also sits against a changing regulatory landscape. The upcoming EU Space Act introduces new compliance obligations, more stringent safety and sustainability rules, and possible operational constraints that may challenge smaller companies. For many in CEE, this can feel overwhelming-and rightly so. However, this is exactly where expert legal guidance becomes essential. As a law firm actively advising across the European and transatlantic space sector, we help companies navigate these rules pragmatically, turning regulatory pressure into a competitive advantage. Michaela will also highlight a forward?looking domain that is gaining strategic relevance across Europe: nuclear power sources (NPS) for space. While the United Kingdom is currently emerging as a leader in this field, CEE countries now have a unique opportunity to position themselves early in this upcoming wave of high?value innovation.