Strengthening America’s Leadership in Space
As global competition intensifies in orbit, space has become a strategic frontier for diplomacy, security, and innovation. On April 29, 2025, Meridian International Center and the U.S. Department of State convened Strengthening America’s Leadership in Space —a high-level dialogue on the future of international space governance, commercial partnerships, and U.S. strategic leadership. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the convening brought together government officials, industry executives, legal scholars, and foreign envoys to examine how diplomacy must evolve to match the speed and scale of the space economy.
The program featured keynote remarks from Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator, Office of International and Interagency Relations, NASA, and Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology and Space Affairs, U.S. Department of State. As well as virtual remarks from Aarti Holla-Maini, Director, Office of Outer Space Affairs, United Nations.
The program featured three panels:
Expanding the Space Economy: New Frontiers for American Prosperity
- Sean Cantrell, Director of International Engagement, Maxar Intelligence
- David Cavossa, President, Commercial Spaceflight Federation
- Janice Starzyk, Acting Director for Office of Space Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce (moderator)
- Jared Stout, Chief Government Relations and Communications Officer, Axiom Space
Strengthening Space Diplomacy for Peaceful Exploration and Use
- Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer, Redwire Space
- Chris Johnson, Director of Legal Affairs and Space Law, Secure World Foundation
- Yosuke Kaneko, First Secretary and Space Attache, Embassy of Japan
- Caitlin Poling, Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State (moderator)
The Next Generation: Leadership in Civil Space Exploration & Science Education
- Colonel Raj Agrawal, Commander, Mission Delta 2, U.S. Space Force
- Frank Justice, Vice President, Center for Diplomatic Engagement, Meridian International Center (moderator)
- Dr. Kimberly Kowal Arcand, Visualization Scientist & Emerging Tech Lead, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
- Robert LaBranche, Vice President of External Affairs, U.S. Space and Rocket Center
These were the Top Takeaways from the program:
1. Space Diplomacy is Now Core to U.S. Foreign Economic Policy
Speakers across sectors advanced a clear message: the space economy is not ancillary—it is central to U.S. competitiveness. “The U.S. space economy already exceeds $140 billion,” stated Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology, and Space Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She cited commercial space manufacturing, microgravity research, and data infrastructure as emerging markets that demand robust international frameworks to ensure security and interoperability. As new commercial sectors like in-orbit servicing and space-based energy emerge, U.S. diplomacy must be equipped to negotiate market access and regulatory alignment globally.
2. The Private Sector Is Driving U.S. Influence in Orbit
Industry leaders emphasized that U.S. diplomatic clout increasingly depends on the competitiveness of its space companies. Jared Stout of Axiom Space argued that “the United States is the indispensable partner” because of its ability to build trust through innovation. Axiom’s multilateral missions—such as sending astronauts from Hungary and Poland to the ISS—illustrate how commercial providers are creating new channels for diplomacy. Maxar Intelligence’s Sean Cantrell called on policymakers to reduce export and regulatory barriers that delay critical partnerships and place U.S. firms at a disadvantage.
3. Without Multilateral Coordination, Space Becomes Unsustainable
Throughout the program, speakers highlighted that global norms are often lagging behind the pace of orbital activity. DAS Kandahari flagged the proliferation of over 12,000 satellites—and over one million pieces of space debris—as a growing security risk. Chris Johnson of the Secure World Foundation emphasized the urgent need for a clear mission authorization regime in the U.S. and space traffic coordination mechanisms globally. “If you're not at the table, you're on the menu,” Johnson said, urging active U.S. participation in UN forums like COPUOS and bilateral dialogues to shape emerging norms and prevent orbital congestion from undermining the benefits of space for all.
4. Strategic Alliances—and the Artemis Accords—Are Holding the Line
Panelists viewed space partnerships as essential to countering authoritarian advances. Mike Gold of Redwire, an architect of the Artemis Accords, credited the agreement with restoring trust and standard-setting power to the U.S. “Diplomacy is not just good policy—it’s good business.” Embassy of Japan space attaché Yosuke Kaneko reaffirmed his nation’s deep alignment with U.S. goals, noting that no single country can unilaterally sustain safe lunar exploration. At a time when adversaries are offering alternative governance models, speakers warned that a retreat from space cooperation with friends and allies would weaken the very alliances that ensure peace and access in orbit.
5. Inspiring the Next Generation Is a Strategic Imperative
Sustained U.S. leadership in space depends not only on technological innovation but also on cultivating a diverse pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and diplomats. Dr. Kimberly Kowal Arcand highlighted the importance of immersive visualization and storytelling in making space science accessible, while Colonel Raj Agrawal emphasized the need for interdisciplinary education and public service as key entry points into space careers. Panelists called for a whole-of-society approach to space education that sparks curiosity, builds essential skills, and reflects America’s vision for space exploration. This approach is critical in ensuring that students from all backgrounds are motivated to pursue careers in space, and that the workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to support America’s expanding space economy.
Project summary
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