Podcast Summary: This Week in Space 197 - Inside UNOOSA

Date: February 13, 2026
Host(s): Rod Pyle, Tarek Malik
Guests: Artie Hallimani (Director, UN Office for Outer Space Affairs), Rick Cheney (Director, Expanding Frontiers)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the evolving role of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and its pivotal position in shaping the international governance of space activities. Host Rod Pyle and co-host Tarek Malik are joined by Artie Hallimani and Rick Cheney for an in-depth discussion about international space policy, the challenges posed by increasing activity in both Earth orbit and on the Moon, and how UNOOSA is adapting to a rapidly changing landscape with new actors and technologies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Latest Space News

• SpaceX Crew 12 Mission:

  • SpaceX has launched its Crew 12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), commanded by Jessica Meir, to replace Crew 11 early due to a medical evacuation.
  • The crew includes NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, European astronaut Sophie Adeno (France), and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Fedyev.
  • Crew 12 launched from Cape Canaveral, marking a shift away from NASA’s historic Pad 39B.
  • [02:37–04:21]

• Commercial Spaceflight Developments:

  • Vast, following Axiom, is brokering a commercial flight to the ISS via SpaceX to gain operational experience ahead of launching their Haven One station.
  • Axiom is expanding funding for both its commercial station and spacesuit development.
  • The commercial LEO (Low Earth Orbit) station competition is heating up.
  • [04:32–06:15]

2. UNOOSA’s Mission and Hallimani’s Journey

• Artie Hallimani’s Background:

  • Hallimani entered the space sector “by accident” after business school, starting at Daimler Benz Aerospace in Munich without prior interest in space:

    “I didn’t actually even want a career, so.” [18:40, Artie Hallimani]

  • Transitioned from industry and policy roles in Europe to global advocacy and, finally, UNOOSA leadership.
  • [15:30–18:40]

• UNOOSA and COPUOS Explained:

  • UNOOSA:

    • Part of the UN Secretariat, serving as the global hub for space cooperation, law, and capacity building since 1958.
    • Functions range from convening Member States, training in law & policy, helping establish national space agencies, and maintaining the UN register of space objects.

    “It is a standalone office within the Secretariat... convening is our greatest power. We bring more and more Member States around the table.”

    • Runs programs such as Access to Space for All (enabling first satellite launches), UN Spider (space-based disaster info), Space for Youth, Space for Women, and more.
    • Staff has shrunk due to UN budget cuts (from 25 to 21), making efficiency crucial.
    • [19:08–28:05]

  • COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space):

    • The main seat of global space governance, responsible for treaties, principles, guidelines, now more oriented toward non-binding recommendations reflecting geopolitical realities.
    • 110 member states; COPUOS advances consensus-driven policy.

    “Power to enforce, power to implement, resides with Member States... Member states don't want to renounce power to some multilateral body. They want sovereignty.”

    • [19:08–28:05]

3. Evolving Challenges and UNOOSA’s Role in the Future

• Rapidly Changing Space Environment:

  • Hallimani notes rising congestion, debris, collision risks, and the “non-diminishing” sustainability challenges as commercial and state activity accelerates.

    “We have rising congestion, we have debris risks... they’re a very, very present challenge and we don’t see those risks diminishing in years to come.” [32:49, Artie Hallimani]

• Environmental Considerations:

  • Collaboration with UNEP is exploring unknowns about impact of increased reentries and burning of debris on the ozone layer and upper atmosphere.
  • “We’re just beginning to understand this kind of issue... in five to ten years we must have understood it far better.” [32:49–36:28, Hallimani]

• Airspace Integration:

  • UNOOSA and ICAO are collaborating to address increasing launches from multiple nations and spaceports impacting global aviation.

• Treaty Evolution and Legal Framework:

  • Outer Space Treaty and associated conventions are considered foundational, with resistance to opening or modifying them directly:

    “If you open them up, you’ll never close them again... These treaties need to be complemented with new instruments and new mechanisms.” [36:43, Hallimani]

  • Instead, consensus-based principles and nonbinding guidelines are the new mechanism, e.g. for lunar mining and space resource activities.

4. The Moon, Resource Extraction, and International Law

• Governing Lunar Activities:
  • The Outer Space Treaty bans sovereignty claims but does not prohibit resource utilization; this gray area is being addressed via structured dialogues in COPUOS.
  • Principles under negotiation address transparency, prior notification, coordination, peaceful activity, and debris management.

    “COPUOS has historically always done anticipatory governance. We’re trying to do that, of course, with a much shorter lead time, but we’re still trying to do that for the Moon.” [40:06, Hallimani]

  • States remain responsible for the actions of their commercial entities.

5. Industry Engagement and Commercial Actors

• Role of Industry and Observers:

  • UNOOSA seeks to involve commercial actors and encourages states to implement agreed-upon guidelines, as state responsibility is key for liability.

    “You try to have the conversation with member states that look, you are liable for these activities... You also have the power to control that by implementing the guidelines that you have agreed on.” [43:30, Hallimani]

  • Recent efforts include direct outreach to industry for input into policy debates.

• Mega-Constellations and Responsible Norms:

  • Hallimani underscores UNOOSA’s neutral, trusted convener role bridging government and commercial sector communications, aiming to break down silos and promote best practices, especially as mega-constellations intensify congestion and collision risks.
  • Consensus decision-making gives even smallest nations equal power in COPUOS.

    “COPUOS brings a legitimacy through its consensus-based guidelines. It carries the political will even if they're not necessarily legally binding.” [48:19, Hallimani]

  • She points to the GNSS example as a model for future international committees on lunar and space traffic coordination.

6. Vision for UNOOSA’s Future

• Aspirations for 5–10 Years:
  • Hallimani envisions established international committees for lunar and space traffic coordination enhancing safety and sustainability.
  • She also seeks a global hub for centralized procurement and dissemination of satellite imagery within the UN system to empower member states, especially developing nations, with actionable intelligence:

    “We are the central hub for that... Whoever needs it, be it the UN System... or member states, they have what they need to prepare, to be resilient...” [55:06, Hallimani]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On accidental entry into the space sector:

  “I didn’t actually even want a career, so.” [18:40, Artie Hallimani]

• On the Outer Space Treaty:

  “If you open them up, you’ll never close them again... These treaties need to be complemented with new mechanisms.” [36:43, Hallimani]

• On commercial involvement:

  “Trust me, [you] don’t want a voice around that table. You’ll go crazy if you have to work at the member state pace, which is COPUOS. But come and engage in a smart way.” [48:19, Hallimani]

• On consensus politics:

  “Every member state has a voice on an equal footing... Maldives could hold up the whole committee if they refuse to agree to something. That is really, really important. You don’t have that in other fora.” [48:19, Hallimani]

• On aspirations for UNOOSA:

  “We have negotiated the agreements and they’re all in place... so that whoever needs it... they have what they need to prepare, to be resilient and so on.” [55:06, Hallimani]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:37–04:21 — Crew 12 ISS launch and crew details
• 04:32–06:15 — Growth of commercial ISS flights and nascent LEO station rivalry
• 15:30–18:40 — Artie Hallimani’s personal and professional journey into space leadership
• 19:08–28:05 — UNOOSA and COPUOS explained—their functions, history, and current missions
• 32:49–36:28 — Future challenges: congestion, debris, environmental impact, and regulatory needs
• 36:43–38:32 — Why foundational treaties won’t be revised, and how guidelines fill the gap
• 40:06–43:08 — Approaching lunar resource activity and maintaining non-appropriation
• 48:19–53:36 — Mega-constellations, breaking down silos, and consensus governance
• 55:06–57:51 — Hallimani’s vision for UNOOSA’s impact in the coming decade

Closing and Further Resources

• Where to Find More:
  • UNOOSA is most active on social media for updates and resources.
  • Expanding Frontiers: www.expandingfrontiers.org
  • Tarek Malik: space.com, @TarekjMalik on socials

“Follow us on social media and you get a lot of information that way.” [58:11, Hallimani]

Tone

The conversation balances formality and humor, with accessible explanations, anecdotes, and an inviting attitude toward listeners both new to and expert in space policy. Hallimani’s insights are delivered with both humility and strategic clarity, and the hosts foster a welcoming, engaging atmosphere.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a thorough yet accessible recap of this pivotal episode on the UN’s role in space governance.