Summit for Space Sustainability 2026

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Space debris

Non-functional human-made objects in orbit, from defunct satellites and spent rocket stages to fragmentation fragments. At the SWF Summit, debris is treated as an operational and policy risk that shapes mission design, licensing and insurance.

2

Space situational awareness (SSA)

The collection and fusion of tracking, optical, radar and RF data to know where objects are in orbit and predict close approaches. SSA underpins conjunction warnings, attribution and space traffic management discussions at the summit.

3

Space traffic management (STM)

Rules, practices and technical systems for coordinating safe and sustainable orbital operations, including pre-launch screening, manoeuvre coordination and disposal. STM is a core policy thread for government and operator delegates in Brasília.

4

Active debris removal (ADR)

Missions that rendezvous with a defunct object and remove it from a crowded orbit, using capture nets, harpoons, robotic arms or tugs. ADR providers use the summit to connect with agencies, insurers and mission financiers.

5

In-space servicing

Commercial or government missions that inspect, refuel, repair, relocate or extend the life of satellites already in orbit. Servicing sits alongside debris removal in the summit's sustainable-operations agenda.

6

End-of-life disposal

The planned retirement of a spacecraft through controlled reentry, graveyard orbit or other approved method. Operators at the summit compare deorbit devices, propulsion options and licensing expectations.

7

Conjunction assessment

The process of screening predicted orbits for close approaches and deciding whether a collision-avoidance manoeuvre is needed. Reliable conjunction data is a shared dependency for satellite operators and SSA vendors.

8

Orbital carrying capacity

The idea that some orbits can support only a limited number of objects before collision risk or operational interference becomes unacceptable. Researchers and regulators use the concept to frame sustainability thresholds.

9

Dark and quiet skies

Efforts to limit interference from satellite constellations and space objects on astronomy, including optical brightness, radio spectrum and atmospheric effects. The topic links space sustainability with scientific observation.

10

Space sustainability rating

A score or framework that evaluates a mission or operator against debris mitigation, collision avoidance, disposal and transparency criteria. Rating schemes are discussed as a market signal for responsible operators.

11

Rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO)

Manoeuvres that bring one spacecraft close to another for inspection, docking, servicing or removal. RPO capability is central to both commercial servicing and active debris removal missions.

12

Space weather

Solar and geomagnetic activity that can disrupt satellites, communications, navigation and ground infrastructure. Space weather monitoring is part of the wider resilience conversation at the summit.