Europe’s orbital security landscape is increasingly defined by the economic dependence on space infrastructure and the capabilities required for space situational awareness (SSA) (Brun, 2026).
Economic Dependence on Space Infrastructure
Satellite-dependent activities are deeply integrated into the European economy. Across the European Union, satellite navigation alone underpins more than 10% of the GDP (Joint Research Centre, 2024). In the United Kingdom, space-based activities are responsible for approximately 18% of the national GDP, or £454 billion (UK Space Agency, 2025). France’s space sector generated €10.8 billion in space-related turnover and supported 33,200 dedicated space jobs in 2020 (Morénillas et al., 2022). The reliance on these systems spans navigation, timing, communications, finance, aviation, energy, agriculture, emergency response, and defense (Brun, 2026).
Threat Landscape and Adversarial Capabilities
The orbital domain is facing increased congestion and contested activities. Russia has been tracking European and British military satellites and conducting weekly ground-based jamming operations against UK military satellites (Beale, 2025). The combined Russian and Chinese fleet of satellites has increased by 70% over the past decade (Beale, 2025).
China is expanding its orbital infrastructure, notably through the Guowang low Earth orbit megaconstellation. Paperwork filed with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicates Guowang is intended to be a 13,000-satellite constellation (Jones, 2026). As of early 2026, there are approximately 163 operational Guowang satellites in orbit, with a near-term target of 400 satellites by 2027 (Jones, 2026).
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market and Capabilities
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is utilized for distinguishing between hostile activity and accidents in orbit (Brun, 2026). The global SSA market is projected to reach $61 billion over the next decade (Novaspace, n.d.). Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global SSA market, holding a 27.7% share, behind the United States at 42.4% (The Insight Partners, 2026). Within Europe, the German market is estimated at $60 million, followed by France at $40 million in 2025 (Brun, 2026).
Space-based optical imaging payloads, including visible, multispectral, and hyperspectral sensors, held the highest market share in 2025, accounting for 35% of the total market valued at $658 million (The Insight Partners, 2026).
Poster Profile
Kammy Brun is the author of the LinkedIn post and the linked SpaceNews opinion article. She is the Managing Director of Simera Sense France, a subsidiary of the South African-founded manufacturer of optical space cameras (Armengaud Wurmser, 2024). She is also the founder and CEO of Kalaxie, a consulting company, and holds an Executive MBA from ESSEC Business School (Armengaud Wurmser, 2024). Her LinkedIn profile lists prior roles including Consultant at NovaSpace (formerly Euroconsult), Business Development Manager at Airbus Defense & Space, and Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at SkyFi US. Simera Sense launched the SSA Scape100 Full Motion camera, a space-based SSA camera designed for asset tracking, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and space domain awareness.
References
Armengaud Wurmser, L. (2024, October 17). Kammy Brun (EXEC MBA 23) : “Aerospace Is Not Just for Men”. ESSEC Alumni. https://www.essecalumni.com/en/article/kammy-brun-exec-mba-23-aerospace-is-not-just-for-men/17/10/2024/5592
Beale, J. (2025, October 3). Russia targets UK military satellites on weekly basis. BBC News. Russia targets UK military satellites on weekly basis - BBC News
Brun, K. (2026, June 26). Europe’s next security challenge is in orbit. SpaceNews. Europe's next security challenge is in orbit - SpaceNews
Brun, K. (2026). Europe’s next security challenge is in orbit [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. Europe's next security challenge is in orbit | SpaceNews
Joint Research Centre. (2024, January 23). The European Radionavigation Plan and the future of navigation. European Commission. The European Radionavigation Plan and the future of navigation - Joint Research Centre
Jones, A. (2026, March 13). China ends month-long launch hiatus with separate Guowang and Shiyan-30 satellite missions. SpaceNews. China ends month-long launch hiatus with separate Guowang and Shiyan-30 satellite missions - SpaceNews
Morénillas, N., Lafaye, M., & Bonnassieux, M. (2022, September). Dans la filière spatiale en France, 1 650 sociétés diversifiées et une soixantaine de pure-players. INSEE. Dans la filière spatiale en France,1 650 sociétés diversifiées et une soixantaine de pure-players - Insee Première - 1919
Novaspace. (n.d.). Space Situational Awareness. https://nova.space/hub/product/space-situational-and-domain-awareness/
Simera Sense. (n.d.). Space situational awareness optical cameras. Space situational awareness optical cameras - Simera Sense
The Insight Partners. (2026, June). Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Market Trends, Demand & Growth by 2034. https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/space-situational-awareness-ssa-market
UK Space Agency. (2025, August 22). Factsheet: The UK Space Sector. UK Government. Factsheet: The UK Space Sector - GOV.UK
*AI generated