Space Diplomacy Course

Duration
2 weeks
Start Date
19 Oct 2026
About the Course

Space activities are now integral to daily personal and global activities. They contribute to socio-economic and political progress, environmental sustainability, as well as scientific advancement. The World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey project that the global space economy will be $1.8 trillion in about a decade from now. Given the role that space plays in the international economy and geopolitics, organizations and countries need to leverage on space cooperation in order to advance their internal and international interests.

However, outer space is a dynamic and complex mix of competition, conflict and cooperation. It is also described as a congested, contested and competitive domain. This course is aimed at equipping professionals, policy makers, private sector actors and other stakeholders, with the knowledge and skills needed for strategic space cooperation.

It will also provide an opportunity for participants to understand peculiar topics as well as gain expertise in formulating policy and governance frameworks to promote responsible, sustainable, and inclusive participation in space activities.

Beginning with international relations theory, the course explores systems, means and tools of space cooperation.

 

Expected learning outcomes

  • Understand how national interests influence space cooperation, trade, technology transfer and exports

  • Understand the nexus between foreign policy, space policy and economic policy

  • Enhanced knowledge of space policy and law frameworks

  • Learn principles and practice of space diplomacy

 

Who should attend?

  • Government officials

  • Council members

  • Heads or representatives of space institutions
  • Private sector actors
  • Public servants

  • Foreign service officers

  • Science/Space attachés

  • Organisation/Team Leads

  • Journalists

  • Young professionals

  • Students

 

Benefits of participation

  • Gain knowledge in international relations theory and practice

  • Access relevant space policy, governance and diplomacy materials
  • Understand rationale, ways and tools of international cooperation
  • Gain knowledge about space policy, law and governance

  • Earn a verifiable certificate after completion

  • Become part of the ASLI Network

 

Key topics to be covered

  • The outer space environment: what, where, why and how?

  • Benefits and applications of space exploration

  • International relations theory and applications to outer space

  • Space geopolitics

  • UN space treaties, principles and resolutions

  • Space Economy

  • Role of visiting missions and embassies

  • Tools and means for space cooperation

  • Space for Diplomacy and Diplomacy for Space

  • Space Policy – Foreign Policy Nexus

  • Space-Cyber-Nuclear Nexus

 

Facilitators

  • Prof. Namrata Goswami (Independent scholar and international affairs expert)

  • Dr Upasana Dasgupta (O. P. Jindal Global University, India)
  • Dr. Valanathan Munsami (Chief of Science, Saudi Space Agency)

  • Dr. Taiwo Tejumola (University of Southampton, UK)

  • Dr. Samuel Oyewole (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
  • Dr. Arnold Agaba (McGill Institute of Air and Space Law, Canada)

  • Dr. Patrick Itegbeyogene (University College, London)
  • Elif Yüksel (Independent space diplomacy researcher)

  • Dr. Youssef Moulane (Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Moroccco)

  • Etim Offiong (Cofounder, ASLI)
 

Recommended readings

 

Course date
19 – 30 October 2026

 

Time
12h00 – 1630 GMT each day

 

Venue
Ediify online learning portal

 

Registration
To participate, please on the ‘Enrol’ menu at the top of this webpage

 

For more information, please contact info@aslispace.org