Malta is positioning itself as a forward-looking jurisdiction in the global space sector by committing to responsible, transparent, and sustainable space activities through a dedicated legal and strategic framework. Central to this commitment is the drafting of Malta’s first Space Activities Act, overseen by Xjenza Malta, which will establish a clear licensing and oversight regime for any operations carried out in or from Malta that engage international responsibility. The Act is designed to cover the ownership of space objects, operational control services, and the management of space-derived data, bringing these activities within a structured system of authorisation and supervision that offers regulatory certainty to operators and confidence to investors. This approach reflects Malta’s obligations under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other international instruments, while integrating sustainability and responsible conduct in orbit as foundational principles rather than optional commitments.
The legislative effort builds directly on Malta’s National Space Strategy 2022–2027, which outlines a national roadmap to develop a local space ecosystem, strengthen research and innovation, build technical capabilities, and encourage space-related economic activities. The Strategy prioritizes downstream applications that deliver societal value, such as the use of satellite data for climate change monitoring, environmental protection, urban planning, and disaster response. Education is a key pillar of this vision, with Malta’s ratification of the European Space Agency Convention opening new opportunities for local researchers, students, and businesses to participate in ESA programmes, access funding, and develop skills in space science and technology.
At the international level, Malta has consistently advocated for a sustainable approach to outer space that is grounded in international law and multilateral cooperation. During the June 2025 session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Malta emphasized the importance of government collaboration to establish unified guidance for safe and sustainable space activities, and called for transparency and consistency in regulations to support both public and private operators. The country’s participation in ESA climate and digital twin initiatives further demonstrates how small states can leverage space-based tools for policy support, public engagement, and resilience building.
By combining legal clarity, investment in education and research, and active engagement in multilateral space governance, Malta aims to ensure that its emerging space sector grows in line with global norms and European expectations. The focus on responsibility and sustainability is intended to safeguard the long-term use of outer space, promote peaceful applications, and enable Malta to contribute meaningfully to the expanding trillion-euro global space economy while developing local expertise for future generations.
