UN Security Council Arria-Formula meeting "Risks and challenges emanating from uncontrolled use of Low Earth Orbit satellites"

Description

"The late 2010s saw a boom in large-scale commercial use of Low Earth Orbit satellite communication systems (LEO satellites). Major LEO operators, such as SpaceX (Starlink), Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) and Eutelsat OneWeb, have dominated the market while claiming to offer cost efficiency, faster data transmission and better overall accessibility, especially in remote areas of various countries. However, the emergence of this dual-use technology has brought numerous challenges for the sovereignty of States, space sustainability, international peace and security. LEO operators have been known to transmit signals that bypass national regulatory bodies and go beyond national jurisdictions. Illegally imported LEO terminals have been used to destabilize public order through dissemination of disinformation, manipulation of electoral processes and coordination of anti-government protests from abroad. Despite their declared commercial and civilian nature, these satellites have played a significant role in armed conflicts, including proxy wars. Notably, they have been leveraged to gather intelligence, coordinate military operations, program precision strikes, guide UAVs and organize terrorist attacks. Threats to the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, such as space debris, cannot be discarded either. The International Telecommunication Union has recognized the seriousness of this issue, which is now on the agenda of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027. This Arria-formula meeting will allow to raise awareness among its members and other participating delegations as well as to receive valuable perspective from non-state actors." Description provided by the organizer, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation.