Outer Space Security Conference 2024

The 2024 Outer Space Security Conference (OS24) provided a unique forum for the diplomatic community, along with experts from the military, industry, civil society and academia to jointly consider challenges and solutions related to security in outer space. 

As space technology becomes increasingly critical to modern life on Earth, ensuring the security of outer space is paramount. Advances in new technology and the growing threats they may pose to the security of space systems raise serious concerns. With the rising importance of outer space for States and individuals alike, it is essential to maintain its security.  

The international community has undertaken several multilateral efforts to address the complex threats and risks to and from space systems, and further multilateral processes are envisaged around space security and the prevention of an arms race in outer space in the future. 

The 2024 Outer Space Security Conference brought together a diverse set of perspectives to take stock of these past initiatives and explore a range of different tools and processes designed to enhance space security and support the international community as it works to prevent an arms race in outer space (PAROS).  

SWF’s Victoria Samson moderated two key panels during the event:

• Panel I – Mapping Threats and Risks to Space Security – A Technical and Political Perspective
• Panel V – Shining a Light on Space Activities – Clarity and Transparency for Peace and Security

The 2024 Outer Space Security Conference provided to be an invaluable event for delving into these critical issues, exploring these topics and more this upcoming autumn, as we collectively work towards enhancing the security of outer space for all. 

EVENT RECORDINGS

The event was held in person and virtually, allowing for broad participation from across the globe. You may watch all panels on UNIDIR's YouTube channel.

For any questions, please contact Victoria Samson. 

Event Agenda

DAY 1

10:00 – 10:30 CEST – Morning Refreshments

10:30 – 11:00 CEST – Conference Opening
Opening Remarks: Robin Geiss (Director, UNIDIR)
Keynote Address: Yi So-yeon (Astronaut)

11:00 – 12:30 CEST – Panel I: Mapping Threats and Risks to Space Security – A Technical and Political Perspective
Speakers:

• Andrey Yurievich Malov (Senior Expert, MGIMO)
• Éric Cézzane Cólen Guedes (Chief, Space Operations Center, Brazilian Air Force)
• Jessie Ndaba (Co-founder/Managing Director, Astrofica Technologies)
• Russell Boyce (Managing Director, Mission Assurance)
• Moderator: Victoria Samson (Secure World Foundation)

12:30 – 13:30 CEST – Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00 CEST – Panel II: Space Security Dos and Don’ts – The Thresholds of Prohibited Action in Space
Speakers:

• Andrey Belousov (Deputy Permanent Representative, Russian Federation)
• Erin Pobjie (Assistant Professor, Essex Law School)
• Jessica Tok (Senior Space Multilateral Affairs Advisor, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Space Policy)
• Jinyuan Su (Professor, Wuhan University)
• Julia Selman-Ayetey (Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast)
• Moderator: Sarah Erickson (UNIDIR)

15:00 – 15:30 CEST – Coffee Break

15:30 – 17:00 CEST – Panel III: Multilateral Efforts to Build Space Security – What Has Been Done and What Is Next
Speakers:

• Bassem Hassan (Ambassador, GGE on PAROS)
• Clive Hughes (Head of Space Security, UK Foreign Office)
• Marjolijn van Deelen (EU Special Envoy for Space)
• Noelle Riza Castillo (Director, Philippine Space Agency)
• Sergey Belousko (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation)
• Moderator: Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UNIDIR)

18:00 – 21:30 CEST – Reception

DAY 2

10:00 – 10:30 CEST – Morning Refreshments

10:30 – 11:00 CEST – OS24 Youth Video Competition – Winners’ Videos Premiere

11:00 – 12:30 CEST – Panel IV: Space Sustainability for All – The Links Between Space Security and Space Safety
Speakers:

• Andrew Peebles (UN Office for Outer Space Affairs)
• Chris Blackerby (Chief Operating Officer, Astroscale)
• Vasily Gudnov (Roscosmos)
• Victoria Fernanda Valdivia Cerda (Global Fellow, European Space Policy Institute)
• Moderator: Jessica West (Centre for International Governance Innovation)

12:30 – 13:30 CEST – Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00 CEST – Panel V: Shining a Light on Space Activities – Clarity and Transparency for Peace and Security
Speakers:

• Emmanuelle Maitre (Research Fellow, FRS)
• Emma Gatti (Editor in Chief, SpaceWatch.Global)
• Felipe Cousiño (Ambassador of Chile to Denmark)
• Madin Maseeh (Founder, Maldives Space Research Organisation)
• Moderator: Victoria Samson (Secure World Foundation)

15:00 – 15:30 CEST – Coffee Break

15:30 – 17:00 CEST – Panel VI: A Verification and Monitoring Toolbox for Space Security
Speakers:

• Darren McKnight (Senior Technical Fellow, LeoLabs)
• Hugo André Costa (Portuguese Space Agency)
• Sarah Erickson (UNIDIR)
• Thomas González Roberts (Georgia Institute of Technology)
• Moderator: Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UNIDIR)

Concluding Remarks: Robin Geiss (Director, UNIDIR)