By Kurtis Archer | 2026-01-12

As the 'new space race' advances, an increasing roster of nations is joining established space powers in the competition to further economic, military and strategic objectives and pursue new technologies in the space domain.

But this heightened international presence in space brings fresh vulnerabilities and dangers, from the development of new kinds of weapons to increased congestion and the buildup of space debris in low Earth orbit.

Satellites, essential for communication, navigation and security, are at risk from cyber and kinetic attacks. Experts warn that disabling satellites can shut down military operations and economic supply chains, and jeopardize global security.

With China and Russia demonstrating anti-satellite (ASAT) technologies, and Russia hijacking Ukrainian satellite signals, the need for international cooperation to responsibly address these threats has never been greater.

China outlines its ambitious space strategy in its 14th Five-Year Plan, which includes advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, hypersonic weapons, and orbital laser systems.

Russia is reportedly developing space-based nuclear weapons.

Against this backdrop, the United States and its allies are pushing for deeper international cooperation and enhanced information sharing.

They are calling for the development of a proper space governance system and better space traffic management, citing the need for improved transparency and accountability in the space domain.

Fostering international cooperation

The US-led Artemis Accords foster international cooperation in exploring space peacefully, interoperability in space technologies, transparency of actions, emergency assistance and registration of space objects, among other provisions.

Eight nations signed the Artemis Accords in 2025, with Latvia becoming the 60th signatory in November.

"We are proud to become part of a group of nations committed to exploring and using space responsibly and sustainably," Latvian officials announced October 31 on a government-affiliated website.

"The uptick in space exploration requires a commitment to safety in orbit," then-US deputy secretary of commerce Don Graves wrote in January 2025.

The US Department of Commerce has "started fielding a modern Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) for preventing in-space collisions that generate hazardous orbital debris," he noted.

"As Earth’s orbits become congested, the federal government must continue developing TraCSS as an operational safety system serving the world," he said. "And we must continue to lead international discussions on responsible space operations and space traffic data sharing."

"For everyone’s sake, we must establish ways to communicate and deconflict spaceflight activities, even with those who are not our partners," Graves added.

Joint missions and collaboration

Japan was one of the first nations to sign the Artemis Accords, in 2020. The nation plans to develop a pressurized lunar rover to be used in NASA's Artemis program, and seeks to send an astronaut to the moon under the program.

Speaking at Japan's 10th National Space Policy Secretariat Symposium last February, director-general for National Space Policy Secretariat Jun Kazeki highlighted the nation’s commitment to cooperation in outer space.

"Through this symposium, I believe that we were successful in achieving our goal of fostering a common international understanding," he said.

The United States and India teamed up to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission on July 30, placing a joint Earth observation satellite in orbit.

"This mission is not just about a satellite launch -- it is a moment that symbolizes what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together," said minister for science and technology Jitendra Singh.

"NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring," Singh said.

On September 30, NASA and the Australian Space Agency entered into an agreement to strengthen collaboration in aeronautics and lunar exploration.

"Strengthening Australia’s partnership with the US and NASA creates new opportunities for Australian ideas and technologies," said Australian Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres.

This improves Australia’s industrial capability, boosts productivity and builds economic resilience, he said.

Integrated space capabilities

Space leaders from around the world gathered in April for the 2025 Space Symposium, held in the US city of Colorado Springs, where many presentations encouraged the expansion of cooperation in space between nations.

The event drew US Space Command leaders and representatives of the NATO Allied Air Command, European Space Agency and many nations.

Among them, Norway, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Kenya, Angola, Nigeria, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Peru, Switzerland and Slovenia.

In November, UAE Space Agency chairman Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi hailed the "unprecedented local and global participation" at the Dubai Airshow, which featured the show's largest ever space pavilion.

"We aim to expand the UAE’s space presence through strategic projects that foster cooperation and strengthen the country’s role in shaping the future of this vital sector globally," he said.

And in December, Gen. Chance Saltzman of the US Space Force unveiled the International Partnership Strategy at the Space Force Association's Spacepower 2025 conference.

In his keynote address, Saltzman emphasized information sharing with allies and "integrated space capabilities" to deter conflict, pointing to the Resolute Space 25 exercise as a key demonstration of combined readiness.