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The geopolitical scene of space activities fluctuates as more and more actors are engaged in the exploration and use of outer space in many revolutionary ways. These changes must be reflected in any future European space strategy in order to guarantee that Europe will maintain its position among the space leaders. This paper analyzes Europe’s current space policy and confronts it with the global challenges in the space sector today. The aim of the article is to recommend a well-adjusted space strategy to ensure the effective and sustainable exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all European States. Firstly, the paper presents the coexistence of the EU and ESA as the two main conductors of Europe’s space programmes. Subsequently, the diverse motivators, needs and interests of their members in engaging in space-related activities are considered. Secondly, this paper argues that to be able to enhance European capabilities in space operations, the European space policy must focus on providing autonomy in access to and use of outer space. In particular, the paper highlights that to enable autonomy in various fields of space applications, first and foremost, independent access to space must be assured. The paper also extensively analyzes the challenges and opportunities related to the dynamic development of private space sector activities. It emphasizes the significance of the symbiotic cooperation between public institutions and private companies, taking into account its mutual benefits, as well as the need for an adequate regulatory framework backed by the right policy in order to incentivize private investments. Current difficult questions related to establishing an up-to-date space regime, and amending or just clarifying regulations concerning procedures and decision-making processes are addressed, with suggestions for future elaboration. The paper concludes that it is the right time for Europe to build a bold and forward-looking space policy.

On behalf of the Interest Group on Supranational Biolaw of the European Association of Health Law (EAHL IG Biolaw) and the I-BioLex research project (ANR-20-CE26-0007-01), Éloïse Gennet and Aurélie Mahalatchimy have been coordinating, since September 2021, the thematic network on the pharmaceutical strategy on the European Health Policy Platform (EUHPP) of the European Commission. The thematic network of the EAHL IG Biolaw, selected by the European Commission and by the users of the EUHPP platform, is entitled “Health as a fundamental value. Towards an inclusive and equitable pharmaceutical strategy for the European Union”. This network enables to link the EAHL IG Biolaw, exclusively constituted by researchers and academics in the field of health law in Europe, on the one hand with the European Commission and in particular DG Health, and on the other hand with socio-economic actors interested in EU law applicable to medicinal products and medical devices (patient representatives, representatives of health professionals or non-governmental organizations in the field of health). After several months of fruitful exchanges, the final joint statement which was very favorably received by DG Health and endorsed by several organizations (including the President of Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS) has been presented at the EU Health Policy Platform Annual Meeting 2022 at the European Commission and published on the EUHPP in May 2022.