Outer space is entering a renewed phase of strategic importance, defined by rapid innovation, growing competition and deepening global dependence. The evolution of the domain into a site for critical infrastructure and diverse commercial participation is fundamentally reshaping how space is accessed, used and governed. At the same time, the dual nature of modern space activities creates complex security dilemmas regarding the thresholds of destabilizing activity, the neutrality of new actors and the strategic usage of space data. These developments raise urgent questions about security and stability in orbit.
Against this backdrop, UNIDIR convenes the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 as a platform for meaningful exchange across policymakers, defence actors, industry, academia and civil society. Through focused panel discussions on technical, legal and policy dimensions, participants will explore practical pathways to strengthen the security and sustainability of outer space, ensuring it remains stable and accessible for all.
Agenda
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
09:30 – 10:00 | Morning refreshments
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome remarks
10:15 – 10:45 | Keynote address
10:45 – 12:15 | Panel I: Mapping space threats and consequences
Space systems are increasingly subject to threats that raise important security concerns, particularly for systems that support both civilian and military functions. This panel will focus on the consequences of space threats. It will examine how space threats can affect capabilities in orbit and generate cascading effects in space and on Earth, as well as how certain activities blur the line between benign and hostile intent. Bringing together perspectives from military, industry and civil society, the discussion will seek to understand how these impacts unfold, how ambiguity can be navigated and where key gaps remain in current understanding.
12:15 – 12:30 | Lightning talk: OS26 youth campaign winner
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch break
13:30 – 15:00 | Panel II: Strategic stability and the security of space architecture
This panel will examine how reliance on integrated space infrastructure for tactical and strategic operations impacts global stability. It will evaluate how space-based force multipliers and the prospective deployment of strategic orbital capabilities challenge existing arms control regimes and broader international security. The panel will seek to identify practical steps and pathways to safeguard international security.
15:00 – 15:45 | Vienna exchange: Updates from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Several multilateral processes are underway to advance space governance through international efforts. In this session, UNOOSA will provide an update on its work and progress in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, with a particular focus on areas that may be of relevance to space security. The presentation will be followed by a brief question and answer session.
15:45 – 16:15 | Coffee break
16:15 – 17:45 | Panel III: Taking stock of efforts to advance the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in all its aspects
Efforts to advance PAROS are focused on how to move from general commitments toward practical implementation. This panel will examine how space security debates on both international legally binding measures and non-binding measures related to PAROS are developing and how they may be pursued in practice. It will consider where common ground is emerging, where differences remain and how current discussions in multilateral processes are shaping our near-term future.
18:00 – 20:00 | Reception
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
09:30 – 10:00 | Morning refreshments
10:00 – 10:15 | Opening remarks
10:15 – 11:45 | Panel IV: Complex interactions in a multi-actor orbit
Whereas the early phases of the space race were primarily dominated by States, the current space ecosystem has seen the competitive participation of industry actors. The proliferation of new actors and novel activities in orbit has created a complex web of interactions that have raised questions related to traditional legal frameworks. This panel will examine the impact of these shifting dynamics on the application of international law and the thresholds for targetability in the space domain.
11:45 – 12:00 | Lightning talk: OS26 youth campaign winner
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch break
13:00 – 14:30 | Panel V: Monitoring, verification and visibility in outer space
The cumulative number of objects launched into space now exceeds 24,000 and is expected to continue rising as more actors engage in space activities. The ability to monitor activities in orbit is now more important than ever for space safety and security. Space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities can track objects and detect certain activities, but challenges remain with using SSA. This panel will examine how new tools and technologies could be developed to support space security, including as a means to verify legally binding agreements and monitor norms of behaviour. It will explore current SSA capabilities and other tools, how data is interpreted and assessed and the opportunities and challenges associated with monitoring and verifying activities in outer space.
14:30 – 15:15 | Vienna exchange: Updates from the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness
The Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness, established by the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, is mandated, inter alia, to identify the information relevant for effective international SSA coordination, the technical and governance mechanisms through which such information could be exchanged, and the institutional arrangements for hosting, governing and accessing SSA information. This exchange will provide an update on the work of the group, initial recommendations and the utility of outcomes to safety, security and sustainability of the outer space environment.
15:15 – 15:45 | Coffee break
15:45 – 17:15 | Panel VI: Securing space data and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure
The modern space ecosystem relies on a complex, interconnected network of orbital assets and terrestrial ICT infrastructure. As reliance on these networks deepens, critical nodes—ranging from ground-based terminals to emerging concepts for data storage and processing in orbit—face evolving risks of hostile ICT activities and physical disruption. This panel will explore how the manipulation, disruption or denial of space-derived data impacts strategic stability, the security challenges surrounding both terrestrial and orbital data infrastructure and the multilateral and technical measures required to safeguard integrity and resilience across these systems.
17:15 – 17:30 | Concluding remarks
When and where
Tuesday, 8 September and Wednesday, 9 September 2026 | Room VIII – Palais des Nations, Geneva and online.
RSVP
For in-person attendance, please register here.
For online attendance, please register here.
Further information
For any questions, please contact sarah.erickson@un.org.
Please note that the event agenda is subject to change.