United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs

  Important information and deadlines:

• Registration to attend in person in Vienna is open until 30 September 2025: access the form here.
• The call for abstracts closed on 31 August 2025. 
• The draft programme is available here
• 30 September 2025 - Deadline to apply to attend in person in Vienna.
• 30 November 2025 - Registration deadline to attend online.

INTRODUCTION

In 2024 the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) of COPUOS agreed to include the item entitled "Dark and quiet skies, astronomy and large constellations: addressing emerging issues and challenges" on its provisional agenda for its sessions from 2025 to 2029. During previous years, UNOOSA had worked closely with Members of the Committee, the astronomy community including the SKAO, and the wider space community, to raise awareness of the value of dark and quiet skies.

This joint workshop will provide an overview of activities carried out by astronomers and satellite operators as well as manufacturers to minimise the impact of satellites on the astronomical sciences. The discussion will encompass both mitigation measures against the effect of low-earth orbiting satellites crossing the field of view of optical telescopes as well as potential radio-frequency interference with radio astronomy observations. The workshop will also aim to identify and encourage the advancements in prediction and measurements resources, and additional mitigation tools. In addition, the legal and regulatory aspects of keeping skies dark and quiet will be explored.

The workshop will bring together the community of astronomers expert in this topic, stakeholders from the satellite industry that develop or deploy mitigation measures to reduce their impact on astronomy and the diplomatic community preparing technical and legal contributions to COPUOS and its sub-Committee meetings. Participants to STSC (2 to 13 February 2026, Vienna), are particularly encouraged to participate.

This workshop will be co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The workshop will provide a platform for discussion to:

• provide a status update on best practices in mitigating the impact of satellite constellations on astronomical observations;
• identify gaps and foster the advancement of prediction and measurement resources, as well as additional mitigation tools;
• share know-how and explore proposals of the satellite industry;
• showcase available approaches to encourage coordination, including licensing conditions and policies successfully developed and used in different countries, with the aim of promoting adoption of tested tools and approaches;
• raise awareness within various groups, in particular government representatives, the diplomatic community, UN and international organisations, as well as NGOs, of discussions within COPUOS and of the respective efforts of astronomers and satellite industry to find a balanced modus operandi;
• discuss the role of UNOOSA in implementing capacity-building activities and acting as a bridge between stakeholders.

The workshop will bring together stakeholders from astronomical observatories with representatives of the satellite industry, as well as space agencies, academia and the diplomatic community to promote networking and discussions of both policy and technical means to enable both astronomy and satellite projects to flourish.

PROGRAMME

Click here to access the programme at a glance.

The programme includes four types of formats:

• Keynote presentations given by invited speakers;
• Informational sessions where speakers present sequentially on a specific topic, followed by Q&A with the audience;
• Panel discussions: expert roundtables with short introductory statements, followed by a moderated discussion between speakers, then a Q&A with the audience;
• Pitch presentations during which experts present their views concisely in three minutes.

The exact topics of sessions and panels will be defined based on the results of the call for abstracts, and a detailed programme will be released in October 2025. This call for abstracts covers the following topics:

1. Showcase how astronomy and satellite services contribute to society and socio-economic development;
2. Share success stories of efforts to mitigate the impact of satellites on astronomical observations, including spacecraft design and operations modification, or telescope techniques; highlight which methods have been the most effective and what initiatives achieved promising results for both the astronomers and satellite operators;
3. Identify challenges and gaps in effective mitigation options for both astronomers and satellite operators, as well as propose adequate further measures;
4. Discuss the role of knowledge sharing about the respective needs of astronomers and industry;
5. Present policy approaches implemented in various countries, such as new licencing conditions, discuss lessons learnt and propose additional initiatives.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts shall be submitted via the registration form, no later than 31 August 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
When submitting an abstract for this workshop, please note that presentations of activities that have already taken place or concrete plans will be given preference over those primarily focused on theories, concepts and ideas for the future.
Selected speakers will be informed by 15 September 2025.
Participants selected to attend in person in Vienna will be informed by 15 October 2025.

TRAINING

The workshop will be followed by a hands-on scenario-based group exercise on Friday 12 December. This exercise aims to help participants to acquire in-depth understanding of issues pertaining to dark and quiet skies, astronomy, and satellite constellations. 
The purpose of this scenario-based group exercise is to build participants' capacity and deepen their understanding of the existing international legal and policy framework applicable to the protection of dark and quiet skies, while also exploring additional measures that may be required in the future. Working with a fictitious scenario, participants will consider questions of policy and governance and will assess how existing legal, regulatory, and policy instruments may be applied. They will also be encouraged to reflect on potential regulatory gaps and discuss what issues could be further addressed within the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its subcommittees. Groups will be composed of professionals with a mix of skills and backgrounds to ensure that diverse perspectives are taken into account.
Registration for the scenario-based group exercise will be open to all who participate in person in the workshop in Vienna.

WORKING LANGUAGE

The working language of the workshop will be English. All participants are required to have good English language skills.

SPONSORSHIP

UNOOSA and SKAO are responsible for organising the workshop. Sponsorship of the workshop is still open to interested entities who may contact Federico Di Vruno at SKAO [federico.divruno@skao.int].

EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS

The workshop is being planned for a total of 200 participants in person, with remote participation made available. Participants will include technical experts from the astronomy and satellite communities, educators, members of the diplomatic community, policy- and decision-makers from international, regional, national and local institutions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, research and development institutions, and also from the broader space industry. 

UNOOSA strives to support gender mainstreaming in its programmes and is also committed to ensuring a balanced representation from developing countries and from different perspectives.

Participants will be selected up to the maximum capacity of the room, based on relevant professional and/or academic experience. All who ask to register will receive connection details to the online broadcast.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Within the limited financial resources available, UNOOSA and SKAO may provide support to a few individuals selected as a speaker and whose nationality is classified as a developing country. They will be selected on a competitive basis, depending on their place of origin and relevant professional or educational background. For the list of developing countries, please refer to the annex of the "World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025" report.

The support could include: (1) a round trip air-ticket - most economic fare - between the airport of international departure in their home country and Vienna; and/or (2) accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop and training day, if applicable.

Please note that this support will only be considered for applicants who submit an abstract that is retained for a presentation in the workshop programme. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome within two weeks after the deadline to apply for financial support.

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

Health insurance for each of the selected participants is necessary and is the responsibility of the participant or his/her institution or government. UNOOSA will not assume any responsibility for life and health insurance, nor for expenses related to medical treatment or accidents.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information, please contact UNOOSA at unoosa[dash]events[at]un[dot]org.