Aarti Holla-Maini, director of UNOOSA, leads international space cooperation and capacity building. Rick Jenet, National Space Society rep to the UN, works on space policy and advocacy. They discuss UNOOSA's role in space governance. Topics include sustainability and debris, space traffic and data sharing, lunar resource transparency, and engaging commercial actors while keeping state authority.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Unexpected Path Into Space Leadership
Aarti Holla-Maini entered the space sector accidentally after an MBA and a job at Daimler Aerospace.
She moved through GNSS work, satellite operators, and industry before joining UNOOSA.
insights INSIGHT
UNOOSA: Small Office, Big Influence
UNOOSA is the UN's small but pivotal secretariat office for space cooperation, law, and capacity building.
It convenes member states neutrally and runs programs like UN-SPIDER and the UN register for launched objects.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Help States Build Legal And Technical Capacity
Help member states implement space law and build national regulators to reduce liability and improve safety.
Offer capacity building on establishing space agencies, regulators, and using satellite data.
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Most people don't think of spaceflight when talking about the United Nations, but the UN, through its Office of Outer Space Affairs, or UNOOSA, has been pivotal in securing agreements on space poilicy and behavioral norms. This week, we speak with Aarti Holla-Maini, the director of UNOOSA, and Dr. Rick Jenet, the executive director of Expanding Frontiers and the National Space Society's representative to the UN, about the importance of this office. It's a wide-ranging discussion of the intersection of international space efforts and the intersection with commercial space as we expand activities into Earth orbit, the moon, and beyond.
Headlines:
SpaceX Crew-12 Launch Sends New Astronauts to the ISS
Vast Joins Commercial Flights to the ISS, Prepares for Private Space Stations
Axiom, Voyager, and Vast Face Off in Commercial LEO Station Race
International Collaboration Ramps Up for Future of Space Policy
Main Topic: Inside UNOOSA—The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
Dr. Rick Janet Explains the Role of COPUOS and UNOOSA in Global Space Governance
Aarti Holla-Maini Shares Her Path to Leading UNOOSA and Her Vision for Its Future
Distinguishing UNOOSA (the office) from COPUOS (the committee)
UNOOSA's Expanding Mission: Capacity Building, Disaster Response, Space Law, and Sustainability
The Importance of Neutral Convening, Capacity Building, and Industry Input
Growing Need for Space Sustainability, Debris Mitigation, and New Regulatory Focus
Anticipating Lunar Activity: Resource Use, Transparency, and Non-Appropriation Principle
Engaging Commercial Space Actors While Maintaining Member State Authority
Megaconstellations: Building New Norms for Responsible Behavior in Orbit
Future UNOOSA Goals: Coordinating Space Traffic, Centralizing Satellite Data Access, and Fostering Global Partnerships
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This Week in Space (Audio)