World Space Week: DLA Piper’s Global Space Series and Space Incubator Program

As private activity in orbit accelerates, the legal and regulatory landscape is shifting just as quickly.

This year, DLA Piper is celebrating World Space Week with two global initiatives designed to help space companies stay ahead:

1. The DLA Piper Global Space Series, covering the worldwide implications of the proposed European Union (EU) Space Act
2. The launch of the DLA Piper Space Incubator Program, supporting space sector startups and innovators around the globe

Why the EU Space Act matters – everywhere

Unveiled in June 2025, the EU Space Act is one of the most ambitious regulatory efforts to date, aiming to create a harmonized framework for space activity across the EU.

Although it is still at the proposal stage, its potential reach is global. The EU Space Act would apply not only to EU-based companies, but also to non-EU operators whose services are accessed within the EU, bringing new licensing, cybersecurity, and environmental requirements into scope.

What to expect from the Global Space Series

Over the coming weeks, lawyers from DLA Piper’s cross-border Global Space Exploration and Innovation practice will explore how the proposed EU framework could affect operators around the world. Contributors from across Europe, the US, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond will:

• Break down the key pillars of the EU Space Act: safety, resilience, and sustainability
• Explore cross-border compliance challenges and market access risks
• Identify opportunities for innovation, funding, and strategic alignment
• Offer practical insights for global businesses preparing for regulatory change

The series is designed to help companies engage early, plan strategically, and turn regulatory clarity into competitive advantage.

Introducing the DLA Piper Space Incubator Program

Today’s space sector is more international, and interdependent, than ever. According to McKinsey & Company and the World Economic Forum, the industry was valued at more $600 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. Most of that growth is being driven by private enterprise, not governments.

To help meet that growth, DLA Piper is pleased to launch its Space Incubator Program, a global initiative designed to support early-stage space companies as they scale.

The program offers curated legal, regulatory, and commercial support to startups innovating across Earth observation, launch, in-orbit services, artificial intelligence (AI), communications, sustainability, and more. It aims to help the next generation of space leaders navigate complexity, reduce risk, and unlock global opportunities, from day one.

Find out more about our work

Whether you are a legacy player, a fast-scaling disruptor, or preparing for your first mission, DLA Piper is here to help. Watch this space, and learn more about the Global Space Exploration and Innovation practice’s work here.