Orbital Alliances: Harmonizing Commercial Space Regulation
With space activity accelerating at an unprecedented rate—with one launch every 34 hours in 2024—governments and industry leaders are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. The race isn’t just to the stars; it’s to establish the rules of engagement for a new era of civil and commercial space exploration.
On March 12th, 2025, Meridian gathered key space stakeholders from Washington, the global space community, and beyond for a discussion that explored the critical benefits of harmonizing commercial space regulatory policies and systems. Held in partnership with the Embassy of Argentina and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, space leaders shared how increased interoperability across international frameworks can drive efficiency and foster innovation in the commercial space industry.
The program and reception was a part of Meridian’s Space Diplomacy Initiative, which fosters relationships between the U.S. and other nations and increases knowledge on space and international affairs in order to advance international norms for government and industry, democratize space for pre-emerging and emerging spacefaring nations, and accelerate the global space economy for the United States and ally nations through professional exchanges, cross-sector convening, and diplomacy and geopolitical training.
The program featured T.H. Stuart Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center; Frank Justice, Vice President, Center for Diplomatic Engagement, Meridian International Center; Raúl Kulichevsky, Executive Director, Argentine National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE); Kelli Kedis Ogborn, Vice President, Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Space Foundation; H.E. Alejandro Carlos Oxenford, Ambassador, Embassy of Argentina; Karim Sabbagh, Managing Director, Space42; Gabriel Swiney, Director of Policy, Advocacy and International, Office of Space Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce.
This event was made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of Argentina & the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
These Were the Top Takeaways from the Program:
1. Dual-Use Technology: A National Security Concern
The intersection of commercial space technology and national security is one of the most pressing concerns for spacefaring nations. Every space system—whether designed for communications, Earth observation, or navigation—has the potential to serve both civilian and military purposes. This inherent dual-use nature complicates decision-making for governments, as they must determine what technologies can be shared, what should remain protected, and how to regulate emerging capabilities without stifling innovation.
Gabriel Swiney explained that rather than aiming for full transparency or unrestricted cooperation, nations must first define their core priorities. What are the absolute must-haves for security and operational stability? For some countries, this might mean strict controls on advanced remote sensing or satellite communications. For others, ensuring interoperability between national and allied space assets may take precedence.
Beyond security, governments must also assess which regulatory measures are essential and which should be avoided to allow innovation to flourish. If a standard is not critical to national security, it could create unnecessary roadblocks. Karim Sabbagh built on this point by advocating for a regulatory “sandbox” approach—one that permits controlled experimentation before implementing strict oversight. He cautioned that overregulating a nascent technology could stifle innovation. If regulatory gaps emerge, additional regulations can be introduced incrementally. However, if excessive restrictions are imposed too soon, valuable innovations could be lost before they even have a chance to prove their worth.
This delicate balancing act between regulation and innovation is essential for sustaining both national security and economic growth in the space sector. Governments must safeguard critical technologies while fostering an environment where new ideas can thrive. A flexible, adaptive regulatory framework ensures that emerging capabilities are not prematurely restricted, allowing space-faring nations to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and strategic domain.
2. Scaling Innovation & Standardizing Space Operations
Scaling remains one of the commercial space industry’s biggest challenges with the sector struggling to achieve hyperscale operations. As Karim Sabbagh pointed out, a standards-based open architecture is the most effective way to scale the space industry, ensuring interoperability and efficiency across various systems. Policymakers must work at both national and international levels to establish this framework, as failing to do so will hinder the industry's ability to fully capitalize on the growing space economy.
Gabriel Swiney emphasized that standards have become increasingly important as the space industry has moved from a niche sector to one characterized by mass manufacturing with many companies around the world producing space-related technologies. He clarified that while standards set a threshold for quality, standardization refers to uniformity across products, and having internationally recognized standards is crucial for fostering collaboration, unlocking opportunities, and driving innovation in space. At the same time, as space becomes more congested and technologies continue to emerge, the role of standards becomes increasingly crucial.
Establishing a structured approach—particularly in satellite registration—can help prevent collisions and establish accountability. A standardized global system for satellite registration would not only provide transparency but also ensure that all parties contribute to the sustainability and safety of space operations.
3. Space Safety & Security: A Shared Responsibility
Safety is a shared responsibility, and while governments set the tone, commercial players must also operate with a sense of accountability. Space debris and satellite congestion aren’t abstract concerns—they pose real risks to infrastructure, national security, and commercial operations alike. Yet, a major challenge lies in the fragmented nature of space situational awareness (SSA). Without a single, globally recognized framework, countries and companies must navigate a patchwork of tracking mechanisms, which increases the risk of collisions and miscalculations. However, the reality is that there is little appetite for a unified global system. Instead of advocating for an unattainable single framework, a focus can be placed on establishing best practices and internationally recognized standards. Enhanced coordination in SSA—through shared data, interoperable systems, and collaborative guidelines—can help mitigate risks and ensure safer space operations while allowing nations to maintain independent approaches.
The fragmented approach to space mirrors a tragedy of the commons, where individual interests degrade a shared resource. Space requires collective stewardship, with governments leading enforceable standards and industry accountable for responsible practices. Without coordination, short-term gains could lead to long-term risks.
Ensuring space safety is a shared responsibility, with governments at the forefront in creating a secure, sustainable environment. While the private sector plays a role in responsible operations, effective oversight must be a coordinated effort at national and international levels. Regulatory bodies have an opportunity to set clear guidelines, encourage data sharing, and develop standards that balance security with growth. A flexible approach emphasizing interoperability, debris mitigation, and space situational awareness is key to fostering innovation while ensuring the long-term health of space activities.
4. Space Sovereignty & Global Regulatory Challenges
Sovereignty in space remains a complex and unresolved issue, as countries continue to assert their rights over what is ultimately a shared global domain. This ongoing challenge is further complicated by regulatory inefficiencies, particularly in the U.S., where debates about the proper authority for space licensing persist. With jurisdictional questions surrounding whether licensing should fall under the FAA, the Office of Space Commerce, or other entities, these delays are creating bottlenecks that hinder progress. As Gabriel Swiney alluded to, we need to move past the debate and make a decision on how to move forward on these domestic regulatory systems to not only support the advancing of U.S. commercial space industry, but commercial space in general.
In contrast, nations like Argentina, as highlighted by Raul Kulichevsky, are showcasing the value of mature space ecosystems built on strong international collaboration and public-private partnerships. Argentina’s approach emphasizes the importance of a national space program as a tool for technological advancement, leveraging partnerships with over 30 countries, including NASA, to foster innovation. Raul’s vision of Argentina’s space ambitions is one where private companies and government entities collaborate closely to build a world-class space center, demonstrating that international cooperation and a well-structured regulatory framework can yield remarkable progress even without the regulatory gridlock seen in other countries. Argentina’s example underscores the need for a more agile and collaborative approach to space governance, something that could serve as a model for other nations navigating the complexities of space sovereignty and regulatory challenges.
During the reception, H.E. Alejandro Carlos Oxenford delivered his first public remarks as Argentina’s Ambassador to the United States. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing space exploration and development. He also underscored the need to bring together commercial, civil, and diplomatic stakeholders to foster a cooperative environment that promotes innovation and shared responsibility. Ambassador Oxenford highlighted Argentina’s commitment to working with global partners and creating opportunities for collaborative growth in space, stressing that collective efforts are essential to ensuring the future sustainability and success of space activities.
Project summary
| Orbital Alliances: Harmonizing Commercial Space Regulation | March 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Impact Areas: | Foreign Policy |
| Program Areas: | Diplomatic Engagement |
