Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST)

What is SST?

The EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) protects satellites and space infrastructure from collision risks, monitors in-orbit fragmentations, and uncontrolled re-entries that could pose risks on the ground, while protecting EU missions like Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM, as well as national and commercial spacecraft. As part of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) component of the EU Space Programme, EU SST also plays a key role in ensuring the safety and security of the European economies, societies and citizens who rely on space-based applications.

The EU SST Front Desk, managed by EUSPA, is the central access point through which users receive SST services and information generated by the EU SST Partnership. Through the EU SST Front Desk, satellite operators can access timely warnings and expert guidance that help prevent collisions and safeguard the space assets that power our daily lives.

Launch

EU SST was initially established in 2014, and since 2021 it has been part of the EU Space Programme.

Implementation

The EU SST Partnership, together with EUSPA acting as the EU SST Front Desk, work together to develop a European SST capability.

Purpose

To contribute to the safety and sustainability of space operations by providing a set of Space Surveillance and Tracking services.