MEDIA ADVISORY: Media are invited to cover the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

For information only - not an official document

UNIS/MA/370
26 January 2026

MEDIA ADVISORY

The COPUOS Subcommittee session opens on Monday, 2 February 2026

VIENNA, 26 January (United Nations Information Service) - The most pressing technical and scientific challenges and opportunities in outer space such as space debris, planetary defence, and the use of nuclear power sources in space will be discussed at the United Nations in Vienna next week.

The 63rd session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, 2 February 2026 and continues until Friday, 13 February 2026, at the Vienna International Centre, Austria.

The session brings together diplomats and space sector leaders from 110 Member States, alongside representatives from UN entities, international organizations, and the private sector, to advance discussions on critical scientific and technical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of outer space.

The 2026 session is expected to advance international cooperation on issues including space-based disaster management, global navigation satellite systems, space debris, planetary defence, and the use of nuclear power sources in space. Delegates will also receive updates from action teams and expert groups driving technical progress under COPUOS.

A special Industry Symposium will be held on 10 February, which will introduce the first-ever "UN Space Debates" -- a high-level dialogue focusing on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and considering space solutions for sustainable development.

Throughout the two weeks, technical presentations from Member States and observers will offer a glimpse into the cutting edge of space science and innovation, including topics such as space agriculture, reusable rocket technology, AI-powered Earth Observation, and challenges posed by the lunar environment.

In addition to the plenary session of the Subcommittee, media will also have access to a range of side events hosted by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Member States, and partner organizations throughout the two weeks.

The session agenda, documents, and links to the live webcast on UN WebTV are available here.

Please note that while the Subcommittee meeting is open to the media, meetings of the inter-governmental working groups, informal meetings of States, and bilateral meeting rooms are closed to observers or the media.

Media accreditation

Media representatives not accredited to the Vienna International Centre should write to press.vienna[at]un.org to register.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #COPUOS2026 and follow @UNOOSA.

About COPUOS

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is the largest international forum for international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of outer space. It operates through two subcommittees - the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee - to develop frameworks that ensure space remains safe and sustainable.

COPUOS has played a key role in shaping international space law, including by drafting the Outer Space Treaty, and continues to address emerging issues such as space debris, space traffic, and space sustainability. Its work is supported by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which serves as its Secretariat and helps implement the Committee's decisions and capacity-building initiatives around the world.

For more information, visit: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html

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For further information please contact:

Jennifer Dev
Associate Public Information Officer, UNOOSA
Email: oosa[at]un.org