The Space Norms Atlas is the first comprehensive overview of emerging norms for space security. In this report, Research Fellow Louis Reitmann maps States’ expectations for behaviours that contribute to stability and reduce the risk of armed conflict in space. It highlights which of the norms that States have been considering in UN processes on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) enjoy the broadest support, and it offers both an overview of the suggested norms for quick reference and more detailed analyses to inform ongoing discussions.
Since 2020, States have advanced towards a global space security regime by defining norms of behaviour in space. However, ideas for norms of behaviour are dispersed in statements and other submissions by numerous States across many UN meetings. This has made it difficult to keep track of States’ proposals and to understand the levels of international support for different ideas.
Based on 1,200+ data points, the Space Norms Atlas provides a clear picture of proposed norms for space security. It pulls together contributions from reports, summaries, statements, presentations, and working papers of UN processes on PAROS since 2012, identifying ca. 150 norms. In a visual overview, it shows the different levels of norm creation across categories, such as non-interference, restraint, or transparency, indicating which proposed norms have received significant support and which have been adopted in consensus outcomes on PAROS. In close analysis, it investigates the important nuances between different expressions of these norms, highlighting where more dialogue is needed to find a clear, common understanding between States.
Visual overview of emerging norms for space security
This data demonstrates that norms of behaviour are emerging, irrespective of whether States unanimously agree to pursue a norms-based approach. To ensure that space remains secure for civilian and commercial uses, States should engage with this reality constructively. The goal should be the development of a catalogue of shared norms of behaviour, their formal adoption in negotiated outcomes, from joint statements and UN resolutions to international agreements, and their implementation in national policies, security strategies, regulations, and practices. The Space Norms Atlas supports this goal by providing States with the data they need to better understand emerging norms.
This publication was produced with financial support by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.