Session Themes

As the space economy expands beyond a single set of dominant actors, commercial norms and technical standards are playing a growing role in shaping how governments and companies operate. This panel examines how industry-led standards, voluntary norms, and regulatory coordination efforts are influencing safety, interoperability, and market participation in space. Panelists will explore the benefits of shared commercial frameworks and public-private partnerships, showing how these approaches can both strengthen stability and unlock opportunities for innovation in the global space market.

Maintaining a safe and sustainable orbital environment increasingly depends on coordination among governments and commercial operators. This session examines approaches to space situational awareness, debris mitigation, and responsible operations, including data‑sharing models, technical standards, and policy incentives, while comparing emerging international frameworks for government‑to‑government alignment. Panelists will explore how nations can converge around shared expectations, ensure commercial compliance, and partner with the private sector to address growing risks to space safety and sustainability.

Private capital is enabling nations to build sovereign space capabilities, develop critical infrastructure, and compete in the global space economy. Panelists will discuss the role of private investment in building space infrastructure, fostering collaboration between foreign companies and national governments, and enabling public-private partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into risk-sharing frameworks, blended finance approaches, and case studies where financial innovation has accelerated space sovereignty for emerging and established spacefaring nations.

With the International Space Station (ISS) nearing the end of its operational life, global space cooperation is entering a new phase shaped by commercial space stations and the advent of industrial space diplomacy. Panelists will discuss emerging models for LEO and deepspace collaboration, including privately led platforms, multinational missions, and frameworks such as the Artemis Accords and China’s ILRS. The discussion will examine whether these dynamics lead to fragmented engagement or durable coalitions, highlighting lessons from the ISS that can inform future cooperative architectures and how diplomatic, technical, and commercial considerations intersect in the next era of space partnerships.‑space collaboration, including privately led platforms, multinational missions, and frameworks such as the Artemis Accords and China’s ILRS. The discussion will examine whether these dynamics lead to fragmented engagement or durable coalitions, highlighting lessons from the ISS that can inform future cooperative architectures and how diplomatic, technical, and commercial considerations intersect in the next era of space partnerships.

National security considerations are redefining U.S. space partnerships as the Administration advances initiatives such as Golden Dome and related defense programs. This session examines how the Department of War and U.S. Space Force are structuring allied cooperation to strengthen deterrence, resilience, and operational integration, while shaping pathways for commercial participation and broader international engagement. Panelists will explore where international partners can engage, how collaboration is structured, and what this evolving framework means for allied governments and U.S. space companies operating in the space defense arena.

The African continent is rapidly becoming a dynamic arena for space cooperation, with national programs and regional initiatives shaping its global role. Panelists will examine partnerships with Europe, the United States, China, and the Gulf across Earth observation, communications, space science, and defense alongside governance frameworks for sustainable growth. The discussion will explore which countries lead key subsectors and why external nations are competing to partner with Africa’s expanding space economy.