Representatives from the ten Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative member nations met at the newly inaugurated French Space Command Headquarters in Toulouse, from December 2 to 4 for the annual CSpO Principals’ Board.

Senior space officials from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered to continue strengthening cooperation in the space domain and reaffirm their shared commitment to responsible behaviour in space. 

For more than a decade, the CSpO initiative has advanced collaborative efforts to address the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities in the space domain. 

Australia’s delegation lead Commander Space Command Major General Greg Novak said assured access to space was integral to Australia’s prosperity and security. 

“Space-based and enabled technologies provide everyday services we at times take for granted, such as navigation, telecommunications, commerce and weather forecasting,” Major General Novak said. 

“Disruption to these services risks compromising our security and wider national interests.

“The CSpO initiative provides an opportunity to discuss shared space domain interests, as well as concerns about the growing threats posed by irresponsible and unsafe behaviours in space.”

Unsafe behaviours put the space domain at risk and could lead to miscalculation both in space and on Earth.

Facing such challenges, the principals reiterated their commitment to international law and responsible behaviours.

Major General Novak said that as a CSpO initiative nation, Australia was committed to deterring conflict, maintaining a secure and stable domain and opposing activities that threatened operations in, from, to and through space.

Looking ahead, the principals agreed to work together on safeguarding access to space and championing responsible behaviours to ensure stability and security of space domain capabilities that underpin economic growth, scientific progress and global security.