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IAC 2026 spotlights orbital debris, lunar infrastructure and competing space networks

At the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, agencies and companies addressed low Earth orbit congestion and debris removal, cislunar interoperability, and lunar communications and transport. ESA also presented a study on developing a reusable two-stage heavy-lift launcher, while U.S. and Chinese space networks were in focus.

Discovered 2026-10-09T00:35:06.485092-07:00 | 2026-10-09T00:35:06.485092-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

Discussions on LEO congestion and active debris removal put orbital safety and the assurance of increasingly critical space infrastructure at the center of the congress.
An ispace, Leonardo and Telespazio agreement targets joint lunar communications and transport, with ESA’s Moonlight program identified as a potential first application.
ESA’s study assesses the technical and financial feasibility of a reusable two-stage heavy-lift launcher for Europe, while the congress also highlighted contrasting U.S. and Chinese space networks.

Reported By

Royal Aeronautical Society geostrategy-direct.com SpaceWatch Global worldairnews.co.za raumfahrer.net