United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Bringing the benefits of space to humanity. www.unoos

🌌 How will humanity power the next generation of deep-space exploration? Today, experts from governments, international ...
09/06/2026

🌌 How will humanity power the next generation of deep-space exploration?

Today, experts from governments, international organizations, industry and academia gathered in Vienna for the Workshop on the Future of Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space, jointly organized by UNOOSA and the IAEA. The goal: to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging technologies, strengthen international cooperation and chart the path forward for safe exploration.

Nuclear power sources have long been essential to space exploration, enabling missions to distant planetary bodies that would otherwise be unreachable. As humanity enters a new era — with crewed missions returning to the Moon and deep-space missions pushing further than ever — these technologies are even more critical.

From radioisotope power systems to advanced nuclear reactors, participants explored how these technologies could support future lunar missions, sustained human presence on the Moon, and the exploration of Mars and beyond.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of international frameworks, including the 1992 Principles on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space and the 2009 Safety Framework developed by COPUOS and the IAEA, to ensure that innovation continues hand in hand with safety.

COPUOS's Working Group on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space continues this work year-round, helping Member States and space agencies implement international safety standards, share mission experience, and assess the implications of future nuclear reactor use in space.

Together, we are shaping the future of peaceful space exploration. 🚀

🔗 Learn more: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/stsc/nps/index.html

🚀 Africa's space sector is growing rapidly. But participating in the global space economy requires more than satellites ...
08/06/2026

🚀 Africa's space sector is growing rapidly. But participating in the global space economy requires more than satellites and technology: it also requires the right legal foundations.

That's why UNOOSA and Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) are joining forces to strengthen space law capacity across Africa.

This November, experts and government representatives will gather in Malindi, Kenya🇰🇪 for a Regional Space Law Technical Advisory Mission to help countries develop national space legislation, translate international obligations into practical regulations, and strengthen regional cooperation.

Why does this matter? From communications and navigation to disaster management and climate monitoring, countries increasingly rely on space services every day. Strong governance helps ensure they can access these benefits safely, sustainably and on their own terms.

As ASI President Teodoro Valente noted, space law is not a burden—it is an investment in responsible behaviour that helps safeguard the benefits of space for future generations.

🔗 Read more: https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2026/unisos610.html

📸: Former technical advisory missions to Kenya and Ghana.

🚀 At , the conversation doesn't stop when the main session ends.This year, over 25 side events will bring together gove...
05/06/2026

🚀 At , the conversation doesn't stop when the main session ends.

This year, over 25 side events will bring together governments, space agencies, international organisations, academia and industry to tackle the most pressing topics on the space agenda, including:

🌑 Lunar governance
☄️ Planetary defence
🌌 Dark and quiet skies
🛰️ In-orbit servicing
♻️ Space debris mitigation
👩‍🚀 Gender equality in the space sector
📈 The space economy.. and much, much more.

These topics covered reflect the full complexity of today’s space activities and the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared challenges.

Swipe through to discover side events co-organized by UNOOSA, and explore the full programme on the session webpage: bit.ly/COPUOS2026

💻Can't join us in Vienna? Many side events are available in hybrid format! Links on the webpage.

A special thanks to this year’s organizers, including Member States Canada 🇨🇦, China 🇨🇳, Germany 🇩🇪, Italy 🇮🇹, Japan 🇯🇵, Jordan 🇯🇴, Morocco 🇲🇦, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Paraguay 🇵🇾, the Russian Federation 🇷🇺, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Spain 🇪🇸, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, and the United States 🇺🇸

As well as organisations: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, The Commonwealth, COSPAR, ESA - European Space Agency, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), The International Academy of Astronautics, The International Astronomical Union, ICOMOS, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Moon Village Association, SpaceData Inc., UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization and UN-SPIDER.

Stay tuned for more COPUOS updates next week!

05/06/2026

🌍 Happy World Environment Day!

Our planet is sending us clear signals. This year, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) asks: What signal are we going to send in return?

As climate change reshapes our world, we have more tools than ever to understand risks, prepare for impacts, and build resilience.

🛰️At UNOOSA, we work with partners around the world to harness space technology for climate action and disaster preparedness. Through our UN-SPIDER programme, we help countries use satellite data to strengthen disaster risk reduction, preparedness, early warning, response and recovery.

🌊Here’s just one example: a digital twin of Tobago island that we co-developed to support climate resilience in Small Island Developing States.

This detailed 3D, satellite-powered model enables decision-makers to simulate flood scenarios before they occur, identify vulnerable areas and improve planning. By helping communities anticipate risks and act early, space-based tools can build resilience before disaster strikes.

Space solutions are helping us better understand our changing environment and make smarter decisions for a sustainable future.🌱

🔗 Learn more about how space supports climate action and resilience: https://shorturl.at/4k4BL

03/06/2026

⏳ The countdown is on! begins next week 🚀💪

From 10–18 June, Vienna becomes the centre of global space diplomacy as 110 Member States, international organizations, industry leaders, researchers and experts gather for the 69th session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

At a time when space activity is accelerating faster than ever, international cooperation has never been more important.

Here’s what’s on the agenda:
🛰️ The safety and long-term sustainability of outer space activities�
👩‍🚀 Space exploration and innovation
🌙 Lunar activities and international cooperation beyond Earth orbit
🌱 The role of space in sustainable development
🇺🇳 Discussions on — the next once-in-a-generation global space summit
✨ High-level participation from governments and leaders across the global space community

COPUOS will continue shaping the frameworks that help ensure outer space remains safe, sustainable and accessible for all.

🔗 Explore the agenda, side events and live webcast at bit.ly/COPUOS2026

Stay tuned for updates throughout the session!

🛰️🌍 Share your sustainable space practices with the global space community! UNOOSA invites States, permanent observers t...
02/06/2026

🛰️🌍 Share your sustainable space practices with the global space community!

UNOOSA invites States, permanent observers to COPUOS, international organizations, industry, academia and non-governmental entities to contribute to the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTS) Information Repository — an open platform that promotes transparency, confidence-building and international cooperation for the safe and sustainable use of outer space.

We welcome case studies, lessons learned and practical examples. Recent examples featured in the repository include:

🇩🇪 Germany’s microlauncher competition and small satellite contest
🇲🇽 Mexico’s space weather contributions to space sustainability, including the creation of the Mexican Space Weather Service (Sciesmex - LANCE Laboratorio Nacional de Clima Espacial Unam-Uanl MX)
👨‍🚀 Astronaut-informed perspectives on space traffic management and orbital debris from the Association of Space Explorers

Submissions will be considered by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and help strengthen implementation of the LTS Guidelines worldwide.

By contributing, you can share lessons learned, support international cooperation and capacity-building, and help keep outer space safe and accessible for all.

🔗 Explore the repository and submit your contribution: https://lts.unoosa.org

🚨 Application deadline: Friday, 12 June — don't miss it!☀️ Solar storms. Geomagnetic disruptions. Ionospheric interferen...
01/06/2026

🚨 Application deadline: Friday, 12 June — don't miss it!

☀️ Solar storms. Geomagnetic disruptions. Ionospheric interference with GPS. Space weather affects us all, and understanding it requires global cooperation.

This September, join scientists, service providers, and policymakers in Seoul for the UN/Republic of Korea Workshop on the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI): AI-Enabled Space Weather for Global Cooperation and Capacity Building.

The workshop will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming space weather observation, modelling, and forecasting, and how these advances can be shared across borders to build capacity in developing countries.

🗓️ 7–11 September 2026
📍 Seoul, Republic of Korea
🤝 Co-organized with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and 우주환경센터 Korea Space Weather Center (KSWC)

Topics include:
🔹 AI applications for space weather forecasting
🔹 Solar eruptions and geomagnetic storms
🔹 GNSS and ionospheric impacts
🔹 Data sharing and international collaboration
🔹 Education, outreach and research capacity-building

📝 Apply and learn more: https://shorturl.at/ntLbd

🌍☄️ Planetary defence is one of the clearest examples of why multilateral cooperation matters.UNOOSA’s Romana Kofler joi...
28/05/2026

🌍☄️ Planetary defence is one of the clearest examples of why multilateral cooperation matters.

UNOOSA’s Romana Kofler joined the Global Dispatches podcast recently to discuss how the international community is preparing for the possibility of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth — and why planetary defence is a shared global responsibility.

🎙️ Key takeaways from the conversation:
🔹 An asteroid only becomes a catastrophe if we fail to prepare.
🔹 Through COPUOS, the United Nations helps coordinate international preparedness efforts.
🔹 Mechanisms such as the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) support the detection of potential threats and coordination of response options.
🔹 UNOOSA works to ensure that all countries, regardless of their spacefaring capability, have access to timely information, scientific expertise, and international coordination mechanisms.

We also discussed how recent asteroid monitoring efforts have reinforced the importance of:
✅ transparent communication
✅ trusted scientific cooperation
✅ agreed international processes

As we look ahead to 2029 — the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence — when asteroid Apophis will make its close approach to Earth, global awareness and cooperation will be more important than ever.

Thank you to Global Dispatches, Mark Leon Goldberg, and the Global Challenges Foundation for spotlighting this important issue!

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://lnkd.in/dfVVZg9c

🌍🏥🛰️ Leaders from across the health, technology, policy, and research sectors gather today for Geneva Digital Health Day...
21/05/2026

🌍🏥🛰️ Leaders from across the health, technology, policy, and research sectors gather today for Geneva Digital Health Day, dedicated to exploring how digital technologies and cross-sector collaboration can help build stronger, more resilient health systems worldwide.

Health systems are facing complex challenges driven by climate change, environmental pressures, and emerging disease risks. Space-based technologies are an important part of the solution.

UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini delivered a keynote on “Building Resilient Health Systems in Times of Crisis,” highlighting how Earth observation and other space technologies can:

🛰️ Support earlier detection of environmental and health risks — such as identifying conditions linked to mosquito-borne disease outbreaks

🌡️ Monitor extreme heat and air pollution to help protect vulnerable populations

🚨 Strengthen preparedness and emergency response through near real-time environmental monitoring

📊 Improve decision-making before crises escalate by combining satellite, environmental, and health data

🌱 Track changes in rainfall, land use, and water conditions that can influence the spread of disease

By combining satellite data with health and environmental information, countries can better anticipate risks and respond earlier, before emergencies become crises.

UNOOSA supports the Space and Global Health Network (SGHN), which advances collaboration between the space and health sectors through policy development, capacity-building efforts, and most recently, through the development of a curriculum on space and global health.

The event also highlighted UNOOSA’s new Earth Observation Health Architecture (EO-HEART) initiative. It aims to improve how Earth observation, environmental, and health data work together to support stronger health monitoring and earlier warning of emerging health threats.

As climate and health challenges become more connected, partnerships between the space and health communities will play an increasingly important role in helping countries better protect people and strengthen resilience.

➡️ Learn more about the work of the Space and Global Health Network and efforts to advance space-enabled health solutions worldwide: https://sgh.network/

The UN positively impacts daily lives around the world — and UNOOSA is no exception.Today at the Vienna International Ce...
20/05/2026

The UN positively impacts daily lives around the world — and UNOOSA is no exception.

Today at the Vienna International Centre, we marked the opening of the “Shared Lives, Shared Future” exhibition, which celebrates the United Nations’ 80th anniversary through over 200 portraits and stories that highlight how the UN works with people and communities around the world — from peace and security to humanitarian action, sustainable development, human rights and international cooperation.

The local exhibit in Vienna features 24 stories from Vienna-based organizations, including two from UNOOSA.

UNOOSA’s impact lies in helping ensure that the benefits of space reach everyone. Stories featured in the exhibit show how space-based tools and international cooperation can support people on Earth:

🛰️ Alejandro Roman of the Paraguay Space Agency worked with UNOOSA’s UN-SPIDER programme to gain access to the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, enabling access to critical satellite data during emergencies.

🚀 With support from UNOOSA’s Access to Space for All programme, Víctor Hugo of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala co-led a team of more than 100 people to develop and launch Guatemala’s first-ever satellite, QUETZAL-1.

🌍 A third story in the global exhibit features Deanesh Ramsewak of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, who worked with UNOOSA and partners to develop a “digital twin” of Tobago island — a virtual model using space-based data to strengthen resilience and planning.

At today’s opening, UNOOSA’s Jorge Del Rio Vera delivered brief remarks, joining colleagues from across the UN family and Vienna-based international organizations.

As the UN marks 80 years, these stories are a reminder that space is not distant from our daily lives. It supports disaster response, climate resilience, sustainable development and a safer future for all, every single day.

Thank you to UNIS Vienna, the Permanent Representation of Slovenia to the UN, OSCE and Other International Organisations in Vienna, UNIDO, UNODC and all partners involved in bringing the exhibit to life.

Explore the full “Shared Lives, Shared Future” exhibit: https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/exhibit/un80

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