Rules and Regulations. Notice
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/register/2026/02/06/2026-02318·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 8026-09-P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 12941] Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events on Spaceflight Safety, Responsible Practices, and Commercial Space ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State seeks private sector participation in a series of domestic and international events promoting the safe and responsible exploration and use of outer space. Participation of the commercial space sector, academia and other non-governmental organizations in these events will assist the Department of State in fulfilling its responsibilities pursuant to the 2020 National Space Policy and in alignment with Executive Order 14335, “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,” and Executive Order 14369, “Ensuring American Space Superiority.
” Private sector participation will also help inform the United States' international engagements and provide an opportunity for participants to better understand international perspectives on pressing outer space issues. DATES: Participants will provide their perspectives on Department equities and/or serve as private sector advisors to U.S. delegations to one or more workshops, meetings, symposia, and other international events related to safety, responsible behavior, space policy and governance frameworks, and commercial space activities until December 31, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Solicitations for private sector participation in specific events, including event dates and locations, will be posted at least 30 days prior to the event on *https://www.state.gov/remarks-and-releases-bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Foreign Affairs Officer, Office of Space Affairs, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522, email: *vahanvatyz@state.gov,* telephone: 1-(202)-674-5813.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Events will vary in location and format, to include fully online, hybrid, and in-person activities. Short notice modification of plans may be required in response to unpredictable factors. Meetings may be stand alone or on the margins of related events, which may include, but are not limited to, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC), the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee (LSC), the UNCOPUOS plenary, events organized by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, U.S. bilateral dialogues on space with foreign partners, Artemis Accords-related meetings and events, international space conferences and trade shows, and other engagements.
There may also be additional opportunities to provide expert views related to domestic policies and U.S. positions in other international diplomatic fora. Please note the limited number of slots for non-USG participation in many events. Participants should focus on the following: *Safety:* Identify key safety issues for crewed and/or uncrewed outer space operations. Discuss current attempts to address these issues and suggest new challenges that may develop as private sector space activities advance and evolve. *Responsible Practices:* Examine best practices and guidelines for safeguarding the outer space environment for future exploration and use.
Examples include the implementation of UN non-binding guidelines on space, including the 2019 UNCOPUOS Long-Term Sustainability
(LTS)guidelines, and the Artemis Accords. *Commercial Space Activities:* Discuss the challenges to an economically viable space industry and how these challenges relate to the domestic regulatory and international governance frameworks. Share recent advances within the commercial space sector and how they may develop in the future. Evaluate how an expanding commercial sector may affect equities like U.S. economic prosperity, geopolitical relationships, scientific fields like astronomy, planetary protection, orbital debris mitigation, space resource utilization, and other aspects of safe and sustainable operations in outer space. Provide perspectives on current and emerging foreign markets for U.S. goods and services, their supply chains, and related legal and regulatory frameworks. Identify trends, barriers, and opportunities to expand U.S. commercial activity in the field of novel space activities, including through international partnerships. *Facilitating Private Sector Input:* Suggest ways to enhance collaboration between the U.S. government, foreign countries, and commercial space industry in the development of international best practices and related mechanisms, including at the United Nations level. Valda M. Vikmanis-Keller, Director, Office of Space Affairs, U.S. Department of State. [FR Doc. 2026-02318 Filed 2-5-26; 8:45 am]
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