Space Infrastructure as Critical Infrastructure

Rights Beyond Earth in the Digital Age

Abstract

Space-based services have become an indispensable pillar of modern society. Earth Observation (EO) technologies are used to map wildfires and mitigate climate disasters, Satellite Communication (SATCOM) bridges the digital divide with connectivity in remote regions, and Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) satellites supports agriculture, transport, finance, and many other critical sectors our societies rely on.
The increased use and interconnection of space with terrestrial networks offers significant economic and societal opportunities, but it also introduces new security challenges in the digital era. Critical infrastructure classifications extend to space-based systems, under evolving European Union legal frameworks, and the space sector must adapt to broader
requirements for resilience and sustainability. This requires space operators to balance economic development with the protection of fundamental rights, including the rights to security, access to essential services, and a healthy environment. This paper explores the interconnection between terrestrial and orbital infrastructures by
examining the emerging threats posed by the digitalization of space systems. It assesses the mechanisms necessary to ensure their long-term safety and reliability, focusing on how space infrastructure is defined as critical under EU law and mapping the obligations arising for the
space industry. Central to this analysis is the role of secure satellite and data networks in safeguarding multiple fundamental rights. In considering two use cases, Earth Observation for emergency management and GNSS to enhance several critical services, we explore the impact of cyberattacks on these domains and their repercussions on fundamental rights.
Our analysis offers a fresh perspective on how to achieve a robust, secure, and rights-centric framework for space systems, contributing to a broader discussion on security in the digital age.