SWF Statement – UN COPUOS, Agenda Item 15: Space Exploration and Innovation (June 2022)

Secure World Foundation emphasizes the expanding scope of space exploration, highlighting that it includes not only exploration of celestial bodies but also the industrial and economic development that both supports and benefits from such missions. The statement outlines the importance of fostering innovation and governance frameworks that reflect the multi-stakeholder nature of space activities today.

Key themes and takeaways include:

• Public-Private Collaboration:
  Governments and industry are increasingly cooperating via public-private partnerships, contracts, and joint missions, aiming for sustainable and beneficial space presence.
• In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU):
  Economic innovation in space includes the use of in-situ resources, which is essential to sustaining long-term space activities and may yield Earth-based benefits.
• Legal Progress on Space Resources:
  SWF praises the establishment of a Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resources Activities, emphasizing the need for adaptive frameworks that consider environmental, cultural, safety, and non-interference principles.
• Lunar Focus:
  As lunar activities expand, SWF advocates for coordination mechanisms and norm development to address the unique sustainability and operational challenges of the Moon.
• Inclusive Governance:
  A future-proof governance philosophy must account for the diversity of actors—governmental, private, academic—and be capable of adapting to evolving exploration initiatives.

SWF encourages COPUOS to continue addressing space exploration and innovation through inclusive and forward-looking dialogue.