US and Italy Hold Second Bilateral Space Dialogue to Expand Cooperation and Security
On April 9-10, 2026, the United States and Italy convened their second bilateral Space Dialogue in Washington, D.C. This meeting followed their April 2025 commitment by Prime Minister Meloni and President Trump to strengthen bilateral space cooperation.
The dialogue is part of an ongoing strategic partnership to advance space cooperation and security. The delegations exchanged information on their respective national space policies, including Italy's new space law and the U.S.
Executive Order 14369 on Ensuring American Space Superiority. Both sides reiterated plans to expand cooperation on national security space efforts, information sharing, and civil and commercial space activities.
Discussions highlighted the importance of trusted commercial and civil space partnerships in areas such as low-Earth orbit operations, secure connectivity, and other space-based services. Both governments expressed concern about regulatory overreach in space and emphasized the need for light-touch regulatory frameworks to promote investment, innovation, and competitiveness.
They agreed to foster cooperation between Italian government entities and U.S. commercial space operators. Security was a key topic, with both parties committing to enhanced bilateral coordination on national security space policies and capabilities amid increasing threats, including potential targeting of NATO and allied forces and activities from space.
They recognized the value of ally contributions to collective space security and the importance of leveraging commercial space capabilities for operational coordination. Cybersecurity of space systems and the resilience of critical space-related services were also discussed, with agreement on enhancing protective measures against the full spectrum of threats.
Exploration and science cooperation also featured prominently. The U.S. acknowledged Italy's capabilities that could contribute to the Artemis program and a permanent Moon Base.
There is potential for an Italian astronaut to join an American astronaut on the lunar surface. Both countries aim to collaborate on a sustainable lunar base to advance scientific knowledge and prepare for future human Mars missions.
Italy's upcoming Chairmanship of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) was welcomed by the U.S., with both sides underscoring the need to reform UNCOPUOS to meet its mandates more effectively. Italy briefed on plans to host UNISPACE IV in 2027, seen as an opportunity for progress on space sustainability and governance.
The United States and Italy reaffirmed their commitment as founding signatories of the Artemis Accords to comply with the Outer Space Treaty and other core treaties. They stressed promoting safe, responsible, and transparent use of outer space and space resource activities in line with international obligations.
Outreach to non-signatory countries regarding the Artemis Accords will continue. Both nations agreed to maintain close communication to expand commercial space ties and utilize commercial space situational awareness capabilities.
They recognized the importance of addressing space debris. Cooperation with emerging space programs globally, particularly in Africa and Latin America, was discussed, with plans to promote responsible behavior in space and collaborate on training, education, and capacity building.
Following government dialogue, a commercial roundtable is planned at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, involving private space companies from both countries to enhance understanding of market opportunities and challenges. Discussions will include reciprocal investment and strengthening existing partnerships.
The United States and Italy remain dedicated to advancing collaboration across civilian, commercial, and security space domains, with ongoing exploration of additional cooperation areas such as space industry sector development.
