The University of Edinburgh and Lockheed Martin host the 2026 Global Space Traffic Management (GSTM) Workshop at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, September 1-3, 2026. Following a successful series of annual workshops, we continue our mission to bring together policymakers, operators, and technologists to address the growing challenges of maintaining a safe and sustainable space environment.
“Expanding Information Sharing to Drive Practical Standards, Best Practices, and Metrics”
Building on the progress made since our last gathering, this year’s workshop will focus on:
Interactive, scenario‑based sessions that encourage collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Join us as we build on five years of advancements in data sharing and analytics, and help shape the future of safe, coordinated space operations worldwide.
This is the sixth in what has become an annual series of events that bring together invited groups of international participants with expertise in the range of topics that relate to the development of a global system for Space Traffic Management (STM). This is not a conference where attendees passively listen to presentations. Instead, our workshop is an immersive, interactive experience where participants engage in collaborative activities, share perspectives, and work together to develop common understandings and innovative solutions.
2016
This workshop series started in 2016 when we first convened to explore the range of topics related to the development of a global system for Space Traffic Management (STM). The inaugural workshop yielded a foundational report, "The case for a commercial/civil space traffic management capability", which set the agenda for subsequent discussions.
2017
Over the years, our workshop has evolved to address specific aspects of the STM challenge. In 2017, we walked through a satellite operations scenario, from launch to orbit, to identify the information required for effective space traffic management.
2018
The third workshop focused on the network of data resources needed to support STM and the regulatory framework within which STM capabilities must operate.
2019
The fourth workshop in the series built upon this momentum, extending the regulatory theme by story-boarding a GEO debris collision scenario. This scenario formed the basis for a series of "Space Law Games," designed to provide a legal analogue to the operations scenario from the 2017 workshop. By walking through the legal processes that would follow a debris collision event, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues involved and develop strategies for addressing them.
2025
We have returned from 6-year hiatus with the 5th edition focused on stakeholder integration into the national, coalition and international military/civil space command and control framework. In past workshops we have examined the need for data sharing and the development of sense making analytics. The workshop report is available to share and redistribute.
The workshop is hosted by the Institute for Astronomy in partnership with Lockheed Martin, ensuring a blend of academic insight and industry expertise.
We follow the Chatham House Rule. The Chatham House Rule helps create a trusted environment to understand and resolve complex problems. Its guiding spirit is: share the information you receive, but do not reveal the identity of who said it. Reports from previous workshops can be found by following the links above and in the Documents tab.
Interest in the workshop and attendance inquiries should be directed to Matthew Bold (matthew.m.bold@lmco.com). Workshop attendance is by invitation.
There is no fee for workshop participation but we cannot offer travel support. The attendees must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Logistical questions can be directed to Agata Rożek (a.rozek@ed.ac.uk)
