Alliance for European Autonomous Access to Space, an International Consortium led by Abreu Advogados and the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium, was selected by the European Union for a Coordination and Support Action to review the space regulatory practices and guidelines for Access to Space.
With the motto "From EU Soil to Outer Space: Regulation as an enabler for Spaceports", the Alliance for European Autonomous Access to Space (AEAAS) officially kicks-off this Project where over 40 jurisdictions will be reviewed under more than 30 individualized regulatory key items, to identify best practices, standards, and guidelines, and deliver a regulatory proposal that will enhance the European Union's space autonomy and competitiveness.
Recognizing the urgent need for a unified European framework concerning spaceports, this project will map, assess, and benchmark available practices and regulations worldwide against a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on safety, sustainability, interoperability, and robust security.
The AEAAS Consortium's Project gathers 14 leading organizations across 6 jurisdictions, including spaceport operators, launch service providers, brokerage, consultancy, and legal experts, supported by national space agencies from countries with robust ecosystems and proven expertise as Associated Partners.
"Coordinating a consortium of 14 leading operators across the entire space access value chain from 6 jurisdictions represents a milestone for Abreu Advogados and for Portugal. European autonomy in space access requires not only infrastructure and technology, but also a harmonized and competitive regulatory framework that promotes interoperability, resilience and coordination" stated João Lupi, Co-Head of the Space and Satellites team at Abreu Advogados. Adding, "We have a privileged potential that we intend to maximize in developing a regulatory proposal that allows Europe to establish itself as a world-leading hub for safe, sustainable and interoperable launch operations, contributing to the development of a true launch center economy."
"Europe understands the challenges and with these initiatives the EU is pushing forward to guarantee a sustainable and competitive access to space, for itself and its allies.", stated Bruno Carvalho, Director at the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium. "At ASC we are working hard to make our spaceport viable, and we see our contribution as fundamental to EU ambitions, but we are also certain we cannot do it alone. We thank our partners for their trust on this consortium."
Abreu Advogados and Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC), lead a strong and diverse consortium, composed by Alpha Impulsion (FR), ASTech Paris Region (FR), Borie Conseils Export (FR), Commercial Space Technologies (UK), Heuking (DE), HyImpulse Technologies (DE), Impulso Space (IT), ISAR Aerospace (DE), Reflect Solutions (UK) and Steller Kinetics (NZ). The Portuguese Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have also joined us as Associated Partners. This diverse consortium will allow us to incorporate insights from a wide range of industry experts and regulators, including non-EU partners, who can provide unique perspectives on globally mature, commercially driven launch environments.
About Abreu Advogados
Abreu Advogados is a leading full-service Portuguese law firm with a presence across three continents and strong ties to an international network of partners. With a dedicated Space & Satellites practice, Abreu Advogados combines deep legal expertise with a nuanced understanding of the regulatory, commercial, and technological challenges facing the European and international space industry. As Consortium Coordinator, Abreu Advogados brings proven project management capabilities and a recognized track record in leading major projects involving international stakeholders. For more information, visit https://www.abreuadvogados.com/.
About Alpha Impulsion
Alpha Impulsion is a French launch vehicle manufacturer and launch service provider, offering a unique perspective on infrastructure and safety requirements for spaceport operations. With experience across numerous spaceports and integration with other providers' equipment, Alpha Impulsion specializes in the next generation of launchers (post-2030). The company has prepared a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) with Southern Launch Australia, prioritizing in-situ logistics management, and brings particular expertise in Hydrogen Peroxide handling and oxidizer management best practices. For more information, visit https://www.alpha-impulsion.com/.
About the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium
Formed in 2020, to establish a financially balanced, environmentally sustainable, and operationally safe vision for the Santa Maria Spaceport, the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium is a 100% Portuguese consortium formed by the companies Ilex Space Lda. and Optimal Structural Solutions Lda. The Atlantic Spaceport Consortium was awarded a Spaceport Operators licence, by the Portuguese authorities in August 2025 and is now operating its Malbusca Launch Centre at 36°55'57" N, 25°04'12" W. For more information about the spaceport and the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium, get in touch info@spaceport.pt or visit https://spaceport.pt/.
About ASTech Paris Region
ASTech Paris Region is a French non-profit organisation and one of the three French competitiveness clusters in the Aeronautics, Space and Defence sectors. With over 200 members — 50% of which are SMEs — ASTech counts approximately 60 companies directly involved in the space sector, including around 15 start-ups, more than 30 SMEs, and 10 large enterprises. As a member of the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP), ASTech benefits from an extensive network in France and abroad, enabling effective promotion of project outcomes through social media, national, and international webinars. For more information, visit https://www.astech-paris.com/.
About Borie Conseils Export
Borie Conseils Export is a French consultancy with extensive experience in managing export compliance and insurance risk related to space launch operations. The company provides operational expertise in export control (EU and US), launch site compliance, technology transfer risks, licensing, and the impact on insurance contracts. With hands-on experience across multiple European and international launch sites — including CSG, Esrange, and Andøya — Borie Conseils Export ensures that regulatory recommendations are aligned with international standards and actionable by operators. For more information, contact Borie Conseils Export directly.
About Commercial Space Technologies Ltd.
Commercial Space Technologies (CST) is one of the world's longest-standing launch brokers, active in the field for over 30 years with a 100% launch success record. CST has brokered the launch of over 90 satellites — from small satellites to pico-sats — and has experience with the commercial operations of 9 orbital launch vehicles from Russia, India, the US, and New Zealand. CST has supported the development of 6 spaceports worldwide and maintains an archive of over 800 consultancy studies from its 40+ years of trading, including its comprehensive "European Spaceport Review" which compared and scored 70 variables across 8 European spaceports. For more information, visit https://www.commercialspace.co.uk/.
About Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek
Heuking is one of Germany's leading commercial law firms, with a dedicated Aerospace & Defence practice and a strong track record advising clients in the space, new space, and space tech sectors. The firm combines deep legal expertise with a nuanced understanding of the regulatory, commercial, and technological challenges facing the European and international space industry. Heuking's experience includes advising on the establishment and operation of spaceports, launch operations, cross-border regulatory compliance, public-private partnerships, and the development and implementation of safety and interoperability standards for space infrastructure. For more information, visit https://www.heuking.de/.
About HyImpulse Technologies GmbH
HyImpulse is a German launch service provider with expertise across the launch sector, offering space access through both orbital (SL1) and suborbital (SR75) launch vehicles. The company has varied experience engaging with multiple spaceport providers in the EU and beyond, and brings a deep understanding of the launch ecosystems prevalent across different geographical locations. As a primary customer of spaceport services, HyImpulse offers a unique value-added perspective on the operational and regulatory needs of launch providers. For more information, visit https://www.hyimpulse.de/.
About Impulso.Space S.r.l.
Impulso.Space is an Italian launch service provider with operational presence in both Italy (Europe) and the USA, providing direct, first-hand experience with different regulatory frameworks, practices, standards, and guidelines in worldwide launch operations. This includes practical experience with safety protocols, range operations, environmental regulations, and commercial licensing processes in both jurisdictions. As a direct stakeholder in the launch ecosystem, Impulso.Space evaluates the practical impact of proposed guidelines on actual launch operations, ensuring they are operationally feasible and attractive to launch providers and satellite operators. For more information, visit https://www.impulso.space/.
About ISAR Aerospace S.E.
The European space company Isar Aerospace offers launch services for transporting small and medium-sized satellites and satellite constellations into Earth orbit. The launch vehicles used to transport these satellites are developed, manufactured, and tested almost entirely in-house. Headquartered near Munich, Germany, Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 and has grown to over 400 employees, working across 5 international locations. Private funding from international investors provides strong backing for the company's pioneering approach to scale and industrialize launch vehicle production through vertical integration. For more information, visit www.isaraerospace.com.
About Reflect Solutions Limited
Reflect Solutions Limited is a UK-based consultancy recognized for the delivery of large and complex national programmes. Its leading researcher served as a senior government official responsible for national space policy and Ministry of Defence programmes with a combined value of £80 billion. He has also worked across numerous regulated sectors on major programmes, including Nuclear New Build, High Speed 2 rail, and Space Critical National Infrastructure, and has held roles including Project Director for Spaceport 1 and Managing Director of a launch vehicle provider. Most recently, Reflect Solutions has been working on the first version of Launch Standards for the British Standards Institution and with the UK Government and Regulator on Space Legislation and Regulation review. For more information, contact Reflect Solutions directly.
About Stellar Kinetics Ltd.
Stellar Kinetics is a New Zealand-based company intimately involved in end-to-end spaceport establishment for orbital and sub-orbital missions internationally. With presence in New Zealand, Oman, and Portugal, the team's approach is guided by global interoperability, providing a unique perspective on facilitating launch in the European market. Stellar Kinetics has extensive experience obtaining launch licenses in New Zealand and Oman, and has been part of establishing the regulatory framework in Oman, providing guidance as launch experts. The company has delivered numerous contracts including industry surveys, market studies, prototype hardware development, technical analysis, and orbital trajectory simulations. For more information, contact Stellar Kinetics directly.
About Agência Espacial Portuguesa – PTSpace (Associated Partner)
The Portuguese Space Agency (Agência Espacial Portuguesa) has extensive knowledge in both legal and technical requirements for the installation and operation of launch centres. The Agency was responsible for proposing to the Portuguese Government the material needed for the revision of the national space law and subsequent regulation focused on spaceport licensing. PTSpace performed the technical evaluation of the licensing process for the first Portuguese spaceport and its proposal to the Government and Space Authority. With an extensive international presence and network of contacts, the Agency plays a key role in dissemination, stakeholder awareness, and building bridges with partners and entities of interest. For more information, visit https://www.ptspace.pt/.
About Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR (Associated Partner)
The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt – DLR) is Germany's national aeronautics and space research centre, with extensive knowledge in both legal and technical requirements for the installation and operation of launch centres. DLR participates as an Associated Partner, providing advisory input and validation throughout the project. For more information, visit https://www.dlr.de/.
