Space Doctrine Conference advances multinational space cooperation

The Space Doctrine Conference 2026, held in Tucson, Arizona, brought together U.S. and international space leaders to transform shared security requirements into partner-led space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere.

Hosted by U.S. Space Forces Southern and the University of Arizona’s Kyl Institute for National Security, the event included military and government representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with virtual participation from Chile, Uruguay, Angola, and Nigeria. The conference focused on three primary objectives: developing concepts for regional space Centers of Excellence, advancing partner-nation space doctrine, and synchronizing future activities with national space development plans.

Col. Brandon Alford, commander of Space Forces Southern, emphasized that the engagement aimed to identify shared security challenges and produce actionable results for the region. The proposed Centers of Excellence are envisioned as partner-led hubs for developing specialized knowledge, training, and operational capabilities, tailored to the specific missions and resources of each participating nation.