CST wraps global space connectivity and sustainability events in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission closed its 2026 Global Space Connectivity & Sustainability Events in Riyadh after drawing more than 8,000 attendees over three days. The gathering focused on satellite connectivity, 6G integration, space debris and orbital sustainability, while also announcing winners of a global space competition.

Why it matters: - The event put Saudi Arabia at the center of global talks on space connectivity, orbital sustainability and next-generation satellite services. - The discussions covered practical issues that affect access to communications, space safety and future telecom infrastructure. - The event also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s effort to localize space-related companies and build technical capacity.

What happened: - The Communications, Space and Technology Commission concluded the Global Space Connectivity & Sustainability Events 2026 in Riyadh on Oct. 14, 2026. - More than 8,000 senior officials, industry leaders and experts attended the three-day event, held Oct. 12-14 under the theme “Connected Earth, Sustainable Space.” - CST organized the event with the International Telecommunication Union, under the patronage of Minister of Communications and Information Technology and CST Chairman H.E. Eng. Abdullah Amer AlSwaha. - The program brought together the Connecting the World from the Skies Forum and the Space Sustainability Forum under one umbrella. - Participants came from telecommunications and space sectors around the world and took part in 33 sessions and presentations. - Representatives from regulatory bodies, manufacturers, space service providers and research and academic institutions attended.

The details: - Discussions focused on how international cooperation can help connect people who remain offline and on ways to reduce space debris. - The non-terrestrial networks track covered satellite integration with 6G, direct-to-device connectivity, spectrum policy, the path to World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 and high-altitude platform stations. - The space sustainability track examined the space economy, orbital sustainability, congestion, debris management, legal frameworks, international space law, responsible space governance, lunar communications and deep space. - CST and the Saudi Space Agency announced the winners of the SpaceUp global competition during the event. - The competition drew more than 690 submissions from more than 50 countries and helped localize more than 40 companies in Saudi Arabia. - The winners were SARSATX from Saudi Arabia, Smart Orbits from Jordan and Orbital Universe from Australia. - CST’s Digital Regulatory Academy, with the ITU, held a Space Communications & Satellite Regulation Masterclass for 44 participants from 19 countries. - The masterclass focused on satellite communications, spectrum and orbit management, and non-terrestrial networks. - Event presenters included Aramco Digital, ATON, Arabsat, Neo Space Group and Project-S. - Aramco Digital discussed satellite connectivity for critical communications in remote areas. - ATON presented tools for detecting and tracking space objects and debris with ground-based telescopes and analytical software. - Arabsat outlined how satellites can support non-terrestrial networks by dynamically adjusting coverage and capacity. - Neo Space Group presented space-based IoT for turning remote asset data into actionable information. - Project-S presented a system to counter space debris using space-based radars and AI-enabled autonomous collision avoidance. - An interactive exhibition at CST headquarters showcased solutions and innovations from researchers, entrepreneurs and startups in non-terrestrial networks and space-based services. - Saudi National Bank served as strategic sponsor, STC as digital enabler, SITE as technology sponsor, Neo Space Group as supporting sponsor and the Saudi Space Agency as scientific sponsor.

Between the lines: - Saudi Arabia is using the event to signal that it wants a larger role in global space policy, satellite regulation and commercial space services. - The mix of policy sessions, technical demos and startup competition points to a strategy that links regulation, research and private-sector growth. - The focus on debris management and governance reflects growing industry concern about the long-term sustainability of orbital operations.

What's next: - The event’s outcomes are likely to feed into future policy discussions on spectrum, satellite regulation, 6G and space sustainability. - The companies and startups showcased in Riyadh may use the exposure to expand partnerships and deployment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and beyond. - Continued work through CST, the ITU and the Saudi Space Agency is expected to support more technical training and international coordination.