January 2017 – UN COPUOS STSC: Agenda Item 3 – Handbook for New Actors in Space Initiative

Secure World Foundation formally announced the release of the first edition of the Handbook for New Actors in Space, a publication aimed at helping new governmental and non-governmental space actors operate responsibly in space. The handbook supports the objectives of the COPUOS Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) of Outer Space Activities and aligns with voluntary best practices developed by the Committee.

The handbook consists of three chapters:

1. International Legal Framework – covers treaties, principles, and institutions developed through COPUOS.
2. National Policy and Regulation – discusses how governments oversee and regulate space activities.
3. Operational Practices – offers practical guidance on pre-launch, launch, on-orbit operations, and end-of-life procedures.

Each chapter integrates legal, technical, and policy perspectives, supplemented with real-world case studies and comparative practices. SWF invited feedback from COPUOS members and announced plans for a web-based interactive version and partnerships to expand accessibility.