About
Have you ever thought about who makes the rules for outer space? It is not something most of us consider when checking the weather, using GPS or making a video call. But these daily activities depend on thousands of satellites, and the rules that govern them affect our ability to communicate, navigate, monitor the climate and protect national security. Our lives are increasingly dependent on space-based systems, and decisions made today will determine whether this shared environment remains safe, lawful, sustainable and accessible to all.
The governance of outer space is shaped by developments on Earth, including diplomacy, shifting geopolitics, economic competition and rapid commercial expansion. It is also being transformed by emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and the complex space-cyber nexus, which CIGI has explored extensively through its Cybersecurity and Outer Space essay series. These advances bring opportunities but also heighten risks such as debris, collisions, cyberattacks, monopolization of space-based resources and the weaponization of space.
The space 4.0 era is characterized by diverse actors beyond governments, including corporations, industry, academia and private citizens, and it is shaped by geopolitics and emerging technologies. Established in 2021, the Space Governance 4.0 Program highlights the need for new, transdisciplinary approaches to govern these evolving realities. The program builds on CIGI’s foundational research to bridge the gap between principles and practice in outer space governance. It integrates cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary expertise in international space law and diplomacy, arms control and national security, environmental stewardship of space, space traffic management, aerospace engineering, critical infrastructure, AI governance, quantum technologies, cyber capabilities and the interconnections between space systems and regions such as the Arctic.
The program has three objectives:
- Expand understanding: Deliver clear and accessible analysis of how outer space is governed.
- Develop solutions: Propose practical governance approaches informed by expertise in international space law and diplomacy, arms control, geopolitical strategy, orbital management and the responsible integration of technologies.
- Shape the agenda: Ensure Canadian and allied perspectives contribute meaningfully to global space policy by engaging with multilateral forums, including the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in All Its Aspects.
Through research, partnerships and international engagement, the program unpacks complex issues and a diverse range of topics, including multilateral governance mechanisms to ensure non-proliferation, promote sustainable lunar activity, safeguard equitable access to space and support the responsible management of dual-use technologies.
