U.S. Statement - Agenda Item 7b - 65th Session of the COPUOS LSC - April 2026

U.S. Statement – Agenda Item 7b – 65th Session of the COPUOS LSC – April 2026 – U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna

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U.S. Statement as prepared for U.S. Representative Caitlin Poling – Agenda Item 7b – THE CHARACTER AND UTILIZATION OF THE GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT
Vienna, Austria, April 16, 2026

Chair, the United States appreciates the opportunity to present its views on matters relating to the character and utilization of the geostationary orbit, without prejudice to the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

space traffic management

The United States continues its commitment to the rational, efficient, and economic use of the geostationary orbit, or GSO, consistent with the ITU Constitution and Convention. It is clear that the GSO is part of outer space and that its use is governed by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty as well as by the International Telecommunication Union’s treaties. As set forth in Article I of the Outer Space Treaty, outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind, on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law. Article II of this Treaty further provides that outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means. These articles make clear that a party to the Outer Space Treaty cannot appropriate a position in outer space, such as an orbital location in the GSO, either by claim of sovereignty or by means of use, or even by repeated use, of such an orbital position.

The United States has taken numerous actions to enable the use of the GSO and other orbits. This includes the free provision of its Global Positioning System (GPS) and the free provision of a variety of weather and other Earth observation data from its meteorological and environmental satellites; operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in polar and geostationary orbit. These NOAA satellites provide the world information about hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and effluent flooding, droughts, and related environmental matters. Additionally, the United States participates in the international satellite-aided search and rescue program known as COSPAS-SARSAT, as a means for ships, aircraft, and others in distress to signal their need for help and their locations.

My delegation would like to note that significant developments have not been made under this agenda item in years. As we discuss how to more efficiently use our limited time and translation resources, we should also consider suspending agenda items 7 (a) and (b) from the agenda until international developments necessitate further consideration in this body.

Thank you, Chair.

U.S. Statement – Agenda Item 7b – 65th Session of the COPUOS LSC

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U.S. Statement – Agenda Item 7b – 65th Session of the COPUOS LSC – April 2026

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