USG Seeks Private Sector Advisors for the U.S. Delegation to the 65th Session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) Legal Subcommittee (LSC)

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Background:

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1959 to review international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, study space-related activities that could be undertaken by the United Nations, encourage space research programs, and study legal issues arising from the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. This solicitation is seeking private sector individuals to advise the U.S. delegation to UNCOPUOS on the topic of space resource activities.

Civil space agencies worldwide are investing in space resources to enable lower-cost exploration of outer space and long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars. As the international community expands its interest in space resource activities (SRA), some countries have proposed to develop international frameworks for such activities. UNCOPUOS established a Working Group on Legal Aspects of SRA in 2022 and continues to focus on legal aspects pertaining to SRA. The Working Group is currently drafting non-binding principles on SRA.

To advance the goals of Executive Orders 14335 and 14369, the United States views the participation of and input from private sector actors in these discussions as essential for any outcome to be practical, enabling, and effective. The Department of State, in coordination with relevant Departments and Agencies, is therefore seeking to convene interested and relevant non- governmental stakeholders to provide input on space resource discussions within UNCOPUOS, to advance positions reflected in the U.S. Commercial Space Launch and Competitiveness Act of 2015.

Under the auspices of COPUOS, the Legal Subcommittee (LSC) provides a multilateral forum for members to discuss several outer space legal issues and related topics. The United States typically sends a delegation of representatives from multiple federal agencies led by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the discussions and represent U.S. interests.

Request:

In alignment with the Department of State’s notice on “Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events on Spaceflight Safety, Responsible Practices, and Commercial Space” of 91 FR 5548, the U.S. Department of State is seeking qualified individuals to participate as private sector advisors on the U.S. delegation to the 65th session of the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee.

Interested individuals should: 

• Have experience working in the space sector;  
  
• Currently work for a U.S. company, non-governmental organization, or academic
  institution that focuses on space issues; and 
  
• Have expertise and relevant experience in space resource activities.

If selected, an individual will participate on the U.S. delegation throughout the LSC. Private sector advisors may be invited to attend delegation meetings, to provide informed viewpoints to the delegation on relevant topics, and to attend relevant sessions or other informal meetings of the LSC.   

Logistics:  

• The LSC is scheduled to meet within the period of April 13-24, 2026 (dates currently being finalized).
• Participants will not receive compensation for their time or travel expenses, if applicable. 
• There will be two sessions of the plenary each weekday, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, CET and from 3:00 – 6:00 PM CET.
• Attendance of the plenary sessions is at the participant’s discretion.
• Participation will be subject to the regulations in Public Notice 665: Participation of Private Sector Representatives on U.S. Delegations (44 F.R. 17649 (Mar. 23, 1979).
• Consistent with current policy, participants may not currently be – nor have been within the past year – registered lobbyists, as defined by 2 USC § 1601 et. seq. 

Expression of Interest:

To express interest in participating as a private sector advisor on the U.S. delegation, please submit the following material by March 13, 2026:  

• A brief description of your organization (max 300 words);  
• An explanation of why you would like to participate on the delegation and how your experience and expertise are relevant to the work of the LSC (max 500 words); and  
• A curriculum vitae.  

Please e-mail the above materials with “LSC Private Sector Advisor Application” in the subject
line to PolingC@state.gov.   

The expressions of interest will be reviewed, and individuals will be informed if they are invited
to participate on the delegation on or about March 13. 
  
Additional Opportunity: Deliver a Technical Presentation During the COPUOS LSC  
Request: 

The U.S. delegation is also seeking a single individual to potentially deliver a technical presentation on space resource utilization (SRU) or another relevant topic (for example, legal mechanisms related to space debris remediation) during the LSC.  The presentation should focus on the role of the private sector in advancing the topic, discuss the potential benefits of international cooperation, and may highlight relevant space law issues.   

If selected, the presentation will be:  

• Limited to 10 minutes in length;  
• Delivered during the “Technical Presentations” slot of the plenary, which meets from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CET and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM CET every day of the meeting; and    
• Reviewed by the U.S. delegation in advance of the presentation.  

If you wish to be considered for a technical presentation, please e-mail the following information – in addition to the material listed above for private sector advisors – to PolingC@state.gov with the words “Technical Presentation” in the subject line of your e-mail:  

• A brief description of the focus of your proposed presentation and how it addresses SRU and international cooperation (max 300 words).