TOKYO: The Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Principals’ Board reiterated their national commitments to maintaining a peaceful, safe, stable, secure, and sustainable outer space environment at a meeting in Florence, Italy, from Dec. 3 to 5.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that senior representatives from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States attended the annual meeting, where they emphasized the importance of the responsible and lawful use of space and discussed existing and emerging threats to space systems.

They covered current and future threats to the freedom of access to space and the need to follow the principles of the Outer Space Treaty. This includes the obligation not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, the installation of such weapons on celestial bodies, or the stationing of such weapons in outer space in any other manner.

They also reaffirmed national commitments not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests. 

The meeting discussed the importance of international dialogue and cooperation to promote safe and responsible operations in space and to pursue activities in ways that minimize the creation of long-lived debris and to ensure safety and security in space for all nations.

This year, the CSpO Initiative celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and the meeting noted how space services are integral to everyday lives around the world. These services enable communications around the globe, help provide weather forecasts, deliver humanitarian aid, and support traffic navigation, as well as aiding in national security and defense.