By Caitlin Poling, K. Leszczak, and Allie Carter Olson
What once seemed the province of science fiction is now a central facet of modern connected life. Connecting to the internet, utilizing ride-hailing apps, watching a weather forecast, and enjoying fresh produce from the grocery store all use data and connectivity from space-based satellites. Space science is also at the forefront of the effort to solve some of the biggest challenges facing humanity including climate change, hunger, and water security.
With more nations and private actors getting involved in space science than ever before, there are now more than 8,000 human-made objects in orbit. In this increasingly congested space environment, cooperation and transparency are paramount: finding ways for nations to work together in space has never been more important.
In May, Secretary of State Antony Blinken released the Department of State’s first-ever Strategic Framework for Space Diplomacy. Co-drafted by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) and the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, the Strategic Framework seeks to advance space policy for the benefit of current and future generations, leverage U.S. space activities for wider diplomatic goals, and empower the Department workforce on space diplomacy efforts. Through the Strategic Framework, the Department has brought its numerous lines of space-related efforts into one strategic vision and ensured that American objectives and values guide space diplomacy efforts.
Many space-related efforts are taking place across the Department and in embassies and consulates around the world. American diplomats engage with the world in multilateral and bilateral fora and through international agreements, identifying opportunities to advance U.S. strategic objectives through space cooperation.
“The Strategic Framework is our guide for how we will strengthen United States’ international space leadership. In one word, that is: collaboratively,” said OES Acting Assistant Secretary Jennifer R. Littlejohn.
At the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), American diplomats work to advance international cooperation in the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. A key product of these efforts is the UNCOPUOS Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. These guidelines provide a set of best practices for the sustainable use of space and were adopted in 2019 by achieving consensus among more than 100 member states.
The Artemis Accords stand at the center of America’s civil space diplomatic efforts. Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Accords provide a bold, multilateral vision for the future of outer space exploration and use. Co-led by the Department and NASA, the Artemis Accords are a non-binding declaration of principles to advance safe, sustainable, and transparent civil space exploration and promote peaceful cooperation in space exploration and science. The 28 signatories (as of July 27) span the globe and include both leading space actors and emerging space nations. By signing the Accords, these nations have demonstrated their commitment to best practices like the registration of space objects, deconfliction of activities, and data sharing—actions that make space more predictable for all actors and promote the beneficial use of space for all humanity.
U.S. diplomatic outreach helps build and reinforce American leadership in the face of strategic competition in space. Under the Strategic Framework, the Department prioritizes transparency and confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of confrontation or conflict in space, while elevating the rule of law and responsible behavior. These efforts, along with the United States’ many bilateral and multilateral partnerships, deep expertise in space exploration, and vibrant commercial sector, will help ensure the United States remains the partner of choice in civil space collaboration.
As costs fall and technological capabilities advance, the commercial space sector has grown at an unprecedented rate. One NGO estimate put the value of the global space economy at $469 billion as of 2021. The private sector is a big part of the global space economy, revolutionizing the use of outer space with new technologies and business models and making space-based services more accessible to all. The Department plays a vital role in promoting the U.S. space industry while working with international partners to encourage this growing global industry to embrace the best practices, guidelines, and norms of responsible behavior that international governments follow.
Collaboration on civil space activities also opens opportunities to make progress on global economic, environmental, political, technological, and societal challenges. This includes everything from using space-derived imagery and data to help address climate change and human rights violations, to leveraging relationships formed through space collaboration to build diplomatic ties with new partners and break down barriers to achieve U.S. strategic objectives and advance national security.
Space diplomacy also includes public diplomacy. OES launched Space Diplomacy Week in 2022 to highlight how American diplomatic efforts advance international collaboration in space exploration and science—bringing scientific benefits to all of humanity. With participation by posts from Maseru to Jakarta, interagency collaboration from USAID, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a shoutout from astronauts on the International Space Station, the 2023 edition of Space Diplomacy Week was a valuable opportunity to strengthen bilateral and multilateral space collaboration.
At Embassy Santiago, the social media team produced a video of high-altitude observatories in the Andes. SERVIR Global—a collaborative effort between USAID and NASA—shared the impacts of space-based Earth observation for people in developing countries. The OES Office of Space Affairs team collaborated with space diplomats from Canada, Japan, France, and the European Union to produce “Space Unites Us,” a webinar viewed by high school students around the world. And the U.S. Consulate General in Recife is continuing their space diplomacy outreach with a yearlong, countrywide “Space for Diplomacy” campaign aimed at strengthening ties with Brazil’s burgeoning space industry.
Continuing U.S. leadership in civil space requires the establishment and maintenance of a diplomatic workforce well versed in space issues. The OES-led space policy training, Advancing International Space Cooperation, offered as a Foreign Service Institute workshop, will take place again in October and reiterates the importance of space to U.S. national and foreign policy objectives. The Department will educate and empower U.S. diplomats to advance space and related policy priorities through this training and other outreach.
As Blinken has noted, one of space exploration’s greatest powers is its ability to bring people together, across continents, across oceans, in the pursuit of knowledge, and in pursuit of understanding. This, too, is the power of diplomacy.
Caitlin Poling is a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) Office of Space Affairs. K. Leszczak is a foreign service officer in the Office of Space Affairs in OES. Allie Carter Olson is a foreign service officer in the Office of Policy and Public Outreach in OES.
