United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Vienna International Centre, P. O. Box 500, Wien (2026)

19/02/2026

🚀🇺🇳 Most people don’t associate spaceflight with the United Nations. But they should!

🎙️ Last week, Director Aarti Holla-Maini joined the podcast This Week In Space for a wide-ranging conversation on why global space governance matters now more than ever. She touched on:

🔹 The distinct roles of UNOOSA (the Office) and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (the intergovernmental body)

🔹 Why neutral convening and multilateral dialogue are essential in a rapidly evolving space sector

🔹 The growing urgency of space sustainability and debris mitigation

🔹 Anticipating increased lunar activity — transparency, resource use, and the non-appropriation principle

🔹 Engaging commercial space actors while preserving Member State authority

🔹 Expanding capacity-building, disaster response, and access to space for developing countries

As space activity accelerates, with more actors, more satellites, and more ambitions for reaching the Moon, global cooperation is not optional. It is essential. COPUOS and UNOOSA are critical to help achieve that, and to ensure that the benefits of space reach all countries.

🙏 Many thanks to hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik, as well as Rick Jenet of the National Space Society, for helping us take listeners inside the UN’s work on space — from Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here on Youtube: https://shorturl.at/87Pwc

17/02/2026

🚀 “No insurance, no space activities.”

That was the stark warning last Tuesday at the first-ever UN Space Debates, during the 63rd session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee.

📖 In a recent Medium article, Dr. Nathaniel Dailey reflects on the discussion and a difficult question the space community has long avoided:

Who pays when space debris causes damage — and what happens to the orbital economy if liability can be clearly traced?

Guillaume de Dinechin of ASTRIA Space Risk and Insurance Advisors brought up two recent satellite losses that highlighted the risk:
🛰️ Inmarsat-6 F2 — ~$385 million claim
🛰️ Paz SAT NG — ~$400 million claim

In both cases, no one could confirm whether the impact was caused by space debris or natural particles.

That uncertainty is holding the system together, but it cannot last forever. If a future collision is clearly linked to human-made debris, insurers could sharply increase premiums, exclude certain risks, or make some orbits very difficult to insure.

On debris removal, Dr. Josef Koller of Amazon Leo argued the main challenge is still technical: Safely approaching and removing large objects in orbit remains complex and not yet routine.

Anirudh Sharma of Digantara added that before removing debris, the world needs a shared and trusted picture of what is actually in orbit.

Pat Mathewson of Astroscale stressed that costs are falling, but large-scale debris removal will only work if one mission can remove objects from multiple countries. That requires international coordination. In this sense, COPUOS guidelines are not extra rules; they enable the market to function.

Despite different perspectives, the panel agreed on key principles:
✔ Transparency and information sharing
✔ Clear consent and authorization
✔ Strong safety and supervision standards

The debate showed that the issue is not whether governance is needed, but how and when to build it.

🔗 Read Dr. Dailey’s full article, “The $800 Million Question Nobody in COPUOS Wants to Answer,“ on Medium: https://shorturl.at/JvwpG

16/02/2026

How can space data help protect public health in a changing climate?

Climate change is increasing health risks — from air pollution to vector-borne diseases. Space-based data can help countries anticipate these threats and act early.

Our partner, the Space for Climate Observatory (SCO), is hosting the 3rd edition of ClimateSCOpe to explore practical solutions using Earth observation for health monitoring and early warning.

🗓 24 February 2026
🕐 13:00 (UTC+1)
🌍 International webinar | Open to all

This edition will showcase three projects:

🛰️ EWSHR: Real-time air pollution risk tracking - by Central South University 中南大学
🦟 Arbocarto: Predictive mosquito mapping - by Cirad - La recherche agronomique pour le développement 🌍 ClimHealth: Open-source early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases - by Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)

🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ekwUDRwi

👉Learn more about how space technologies and applications can support climate action: https://shorturl.at/MdJae

14/02/2026

🚀 Want to strengthen your use of space and geospatial data for early warning, climate action, and disaster risk assessment?

🌍 Registration is now open for the UN/Pakistan International Conference on “Leveraging Space Technology for EW4All, Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Assessment,” in Islamabad.
🗓️ Conference: 11–15 May 2026
🗓️ Training course on Space-based Disaster Management: 18–22 May 2026

Organized by UNOOSA, in cooperation with the Government of 🇵🇰Pakistan and hosted by Suparco Pakistan, the conference will feature technical sessions, panels and knowledge exchange—bringing together experts and decision-makers to share approaches and real-world case studies on:
🔹 Space-enabled Early Warning Systems (EW4All)
🔹 Space-based insights for climate action (SDG 13)
🔹 Disaster risk assessment and proactive risk management

It will also highlight how space and geospatial information can support Sendai Framework implementation and climate action across sectors including water, agriculture, environment and forestry.

The training course will combine lectures and hands-on sessions on flood, drought and heatwave risk assessment (including Google Earth Engine) and practical tools for national-level risk analysis.

⏳ Deadline to register (and submit abstracts): 15 March 2026
👉 Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/zaUqfd3sdD

13/02/2026

✅ That’s a wrap on !

Here are some key takeaways from this year’s session of the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee:

🛰️ Member States reported major strides in implementing the LTS Guidelines, including:
• New national space laws
• Mandatory environmental impact assessments for missions
• Enhanced debris mitigation & collision avoidance
• Investments in space surveillance & tracking

☄️ Planetary defense in action:
IAWN & SMPAG reported on the successful response to asteroid 2024 YR4—the first real-world case crossing the 1% impact probability threshold. Good news: continued monitoring has ruled out any significant impact risk for the next century.

⚛️ Nuclear power in space:
The Working Group on NPS is tracking emerging technology applications, including reactors for deep-space missions, in partnership with the IAEA.

🌕 Lunar governance:
The Action Team on Lunar Activities is laying the groundwork for recommendations to guide sustainable, transparent Moon exploration.

🩺 Space & health:
The final draft curriculum on Space and Global Health is ready and will be presented to COPUOS.

🤝 Industry voices at the table:
UNOOSA launched the UN Space Debates, with 8 commercial players sharing perspectives on space sustainability and data access to help delegates understand operational realities.

🌍 These highlights reflect real progress toward safe, inclusive and sustainable use of outer space.

➡️ Follow for updates as this work moves forward.

📸: UNIS Vienna, Bianca Otero

12/02/2026

🌍 How do we safeguard Earth’s atmosphere as space activity accelerates?

From launch to re-entry, space activities are creating environmental impacts that we are only beginning to understand, and a growing community of scientists is sounding the alarm.

🚀 That’s why UNOOSA and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched a joint Issues Note, “Safeguarding Space: Environmental Issues, Risks and Responsibilities,” which highlights the growing environmental footprint of the space sector and calls for deeper international cooperation, better data, and evidence-based solutions.

📢 At yesterday’s side event on the topic, leading experts —Andrea Hinwood, Chief Scientist at UNEP, James Beck of Belstead Research, and Eloise Marais of University College London — shared critical insights on how launches and re-entry pollution may affect ozone recovery, climate, and marine ecosystems:

🔹Satellites re-entries release toxic metals, nitrogen oxides, and chlorine, with 10% of stratospheric particles now contaminated with space debris.

🔹Launches inject black carbon into all layers of the atmosphere, affecting climate and accelerating ozone loss.

🔹 Emissions are increasing rapidly, by roughly 20% per year, driven by re-entries of megaconstellation satellites.

🤝This growing body of evidence is why UNOOSA and UNEP are strengthening collaboration— to raise awareness, promote sustainability, and bring this issue to the table at COPUOS, the global platform for space governance.

Our Issues Note calls for:
🔹 More research and data-sharing on environmental impacts
🔹 Sustainability across the full lifecycle of space missions
🔹 Multilateral coordination to align space activities with environmental protection goals.

Let’s ensure the environmental footprint of space activities becomes part of the sustainability agenda.

👉 Read the full Issues Note here: https://shorturl.at/Ozs54

11/02/2026

✨ International Day of Women and Girls in Science ✨

Today, we celebrate the women and girls whose talent and leadership are shaping science, technology and the future of space. Their contributions drive discovery, strengthen space governance and ensure that space benefits all of humanity.

Yet, as our Landmark Study on Gender Equality in the Space Sector showed, women remain underrepresented across many STEM fields — particularly in technical, astronaut, policy and leadership roles. Barriers such as unequal access to opportunities and visibility gaps continue to limit participation.

Closing these gaps is not only a matter of fairness: it is essential for innovation, sustainability and inclusive development on Earth and beyond.

That’s why we’re investing in solutions.

🚨APPLY NOW to our new Space4women x workshop! 🚀

Are you a woman in the space sector looking to strengthen your self-confidence, amplify your voice and celebrate your achievements at work?

We're partnering with to offer an empowering online workshop designed to build confidence and leadership skills.

📅 Dates: 6 & 10 March 2026 (online)
⏰ Apply by: 22 February, 23:59 CET
👉 Apply here: https://shorturl.at/DuRWO

UNOOSA’s flagship initiative advances gender equality in the global space sector through capacity-building, mentorship, policy dialogue and research — empowering today’s professionals and inspiring the next generation.

Together, let’s ensure that space truly reflects the diversity of our world.

10/02/2026

🔥 HAPPENING TODAY: Don’t miss the first-ever UN Space Debates! 🚀

📅 10 February | 15:00–18:00 CET
🖥️ Join online: https://lnkd.in/dkUSeNeJ
🗳️ Share your view after each debate: https://shorturl.at/8aynx

Get ready for fresh ideas, real-world challenges, and bold discussion.

📢 Tonight at the STSC Industry Symposium, UNOOSA launches a new kind of space dialogue. The UN Space Debates bring commercial perspectives to the table to help inform governance frameworks that are practical, effective, and future-ready.

As the global space environment rapidly evolves— driven by technological advancements, growing commercial activity, and increasing orbital congestion— governance must reflect operational reality. UNOOSA brings diverse stakeholders together across sectors and regions to help COPUOS respond with agility, clarity, and inclusiveness.

We’re tackling the tough questions:
🔧 Can debris clean-up succeed without new COPUOS guidelines?
🌍 Is very high-res satellite imagery critical for disaster early warning?

🎙️ With top innovators from:
Airbus | Amazon | ASTRIA | Astroscale | Digantara | KSAT | Open Cosmos | Spatial Services

💡 The goal: enhance understanding, test ideas, and sharpen policy thinking in a rapidly evolving space environment.

👇 Click to join:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/dkUSeNeJ

06/02/2026

On the agenda this afternoon at the STSC: space and global health — because space tools are already helping protect lives on Earth.

Could we 3D-print human organs in space? Can satellites help track mosquito-borne disease outbreaks? What do astronauts teach us about osteoporosis and muscle atrophy?

🎥 In this video, Dr. Awa Babington-Ashaye of the Geneva Digital Health Hub unpacks how space science and technology are advancing medicine, public health and health research.

This conversation is part of a wider effort. In 2022, the STSC Working Group on Space and Global Health helped establish, through a General Assembly resolution, the Space and Global Health Network (SGHN)— a community of governmental institutions, international organizations, NGOs, experts and other stakeholders working to strengthen collaboration on space and global health issues.

🔎 What’s next: the SGHN is finalizing a Space and Global Health Curriculum, designed to build practical skills and shared understanding across areas like Earth observation & geospatial methods, satellite communications, telehealth, AI, environmental health and governance.

Stay tuned for more info on the curriculum’s release.
🌍 Learn more about how UNOOSA supports countries to leverage space for health: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/globalhealth/index.html

05/02/2026

🌊🛰️ From climate action to disaster response, AI is changing what Earth observation can deliver—but only if we can trust it.

At STSC 2026, our side event looked at what “responsible GeoAI” should mean in practice, so all countries can benefit.

AI is already shifting how Earth observation delivers impact: from on-board processors that filter out unusable images and prioritize valuable data, to geospatial “foundation models” that can adapt to new tasks—if they’re tested, explainable, and responsibly managed.

Our policy brief, “Ensuring Responsible AI in Space and Earth Observation”, sets out five practical objectives for governments, industry and academia to put responsible GeoAI into practice:

1️⃣ Ethical, transparent AI for space operations with meaningful human oversight and fail-safes.

2️⃣ Fairness, inclusivity and global capacity-building so models and tools work for, and are accessible to, all regions—not only where data and computers are concentrated.

3️⃣ Responsible development and use of geospatial foundation models, evaluated not just on accuracy, but also on transferability, robustness, bias and environmental footprint.

4️⃣ Climate resilience and sustainability across the EO+AI life cycle, aligned with the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.

5️⃣ Data ownership and integrity, including provenance measures to prevent manipulation and misinformation.

These objectives align with COPUOS’ long-standing framework for the peaceful, responsible and safe use of outer space, while responding to new technological realities.

👉 Read the full policy brief: https://shorturl.at/zyIsq

…and share it with colleagues working at the intersection of space, AI, Earth observation, climate services and disaster risk reduction.

04/02/2026

🌍 New Format. Fresh Thinking. Join the

Next week at STSC 2026, UNOOSA launches the UN Space Debates at our Industry Symposium— a bold new format to tackle emerging policy challenges through structured, inclusive dialogue.

As the global space environment rapidly evolves— driven by technological advancements, growing commercial activity, and increasing orbital congestion— governance must reflect operational reality. UNOOSA brings diverse stakeholders together across sectors and regions to help COPUOS respond with agility, clarity, and inclusiveness.

That’s why we’re bringing space industry experts into the room. Commercial perspectives are essential to shaping governance frameworks that are practical, effective, and future-ready.

The goal: enhance understanding, test ideas, and sharpen policy thinking in a rapidly evolving space environment.

🚀 Debate 1: Can a sustainable commercial market for debris remediation exist without new COPUOS guidelines?

🛰️ Debate 2: Is very high-resolution satellite imagery essential to achieving universal early warning for disaster risk reduction?

🌟 Featuring leading voices from industry & innovation:
Guillaume de Dinechin, ASTRIA
Ciro Farinelli, Airbus Defence & Space
Josef Koller, Amazon Leo
Pat Mathewson, Astroscale
Anirudh Sharma, Digantara
Rafel Jordá Siquier, Open Cosmos
Nina Soleng, KSAT
Peter Zeil, Spatial Services Ltd.

📍 10 February 2026 | 15:00–18:00 CET
🖥️ Join online via Microsoft Teams: https://shorturl.at/LfX3E
🎤 Part of the Industry Symposium at the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of COPUOS

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

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