January

• UNOOSA and UK sign partnership agreement on space sustainability.
• U.S. issues National Orbital Debris Research and Development Plan.
• U.S. issues executive order for the development of small nuclear reactors for space and defence applications.
• NASA and FAA sign memorandum of understanding on commercial space activities.
• European Commissioner for Internal Market announces EU strategy for space, including European launcher alliance and Cassini fund.
• Destination Earth initiative is officially launched.

February

• Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and Dubai Future Foundation set up the world’s first Court of Space.
• UK and Australia sign Space Bridge Framework Arrangement.
• UK Space Agency launches space industry Business Accelerator program.
• ESA and JAXA sign collaboration agreement for HERA and MMX missions.
• European Commission’s Action Plan on Synergies between civil, defence and space industries is published.
• Portugal creates the Monitoring Committee for the Defence Space Program (CM - PRESDEF).
• In the context of the collaboration between the Portuguese Space Agency, CEiiA and RFA Portugal for the production of the RFA ONE rocket’s orbital stage demonstrator, RFA extends ESA’s support in those activities.

March

• Russia and China announce plans for a joint lunar space station.
• UK Government publishes an updated guidance on satellite license fees for constellation operators.
• UK Space Agency launches Space for All funding scheme.
• Franco Italian Declaration on the Future of the European Space Launchers is issued.
• Rwanda sets up the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA).
• Costa Rica establishes the Costa Rican Space Agency (AEC).

April

• UK sets up the UK Space Command.
• UK  funds and supports UNOOSA’s Long-term Sustainability Guidelines.
• UK Government shares updated approach for compliance with the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
• U.S.’s FCC issues rules concerning the allocation of spectrum for non-federal space launch operations.
• ESA’s Agenda 2025 - Make Space for Europe is released.
• European Parliament adopts Regulation 2021/696 establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
• The public tender concerning the Azores International Satellite Launch Programme (AISLP) comes to an end with the final tenders being excluded.

May

•  South Korea joins the Artemis Accords.
• Association agreement between Lithuania and ESA comes into force.
• EU Council adopts its conclusions on «New Space for People».
• EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is launched.
• The European Commission selects a consortium of companies and research institutions led by Airbus to design the future European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI).
• Spain announces creation of the Spanish Space Agency.

June

• Bangladesh, Slovenia, Panama, Angola, Square Kilometre Array Observatory and UNIDROIT apply for UNOOSA’s COPUOS memberships and observer status.
• Importance of space for security, prosperity and defence is recognized by NATO.
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) introduces the Space Sustainability Rating.
• G7 nations announce commitment concerning the safe and sustainable use of space.
• U.S. Senate passes NASA Authorization Act and SPACE Act.
• SpaceChain sends Ethereum cryptocurrency technology payload to ISS.
• Japan adopts national legislation concerning space resources.
• The development of the Federated Quantum System integrated by the UK, US, Japan, Canada, Italy, Belgium, and Austria is announced.
• Brazil and New Zealand join the Artemis Accords.
• ESA and EU start a Financial Framework Partnership Agreement.
• The European Commission establishes the European Defence Fund.
• Lisbon Manifesto on Earth Observation for Africa and Europe is signed.
• Namibia launches the National Space Science and Technology Policy.

July

• The UK Space Industry Regulations 2021 come into force.
• US Secretary of Defence issues a memo setting out norms for military activities in outer space.
• ESA and NASA create a strategic partnership to use Earth Observation in order to combat climate change.
• ESA and EU Member States endorse the outcomes of the European Space Traffic Management Conference “Fostering a European approach on Space Traffic Management”.
• Cooperation agreement is concluded between CNES, the Luxembourg Space Agency, the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) and Air Liquide on exploration and space resources.
• Amendment to the Azores Regional Space Act is issued, establishing that the use of infrastructure and platforms situated in the Azores land or sea space, which integrate the development of space activities in the Region, is exercised exclusively by an administrative concession contract to be concluded with the Regional Government of the Azores.
• Angola announces plans to restructure its National Space Program Management Office.

August

• UN COPUOS issues the Report of the Legal Subcommittee on its sixtieth session.
• Monaco sets up Office of Space Affairs.
• ESA Council Resolution on Ariane 6 and Vega-C exploitation and future space transportation is issued.
• Hungary adopts new national space strategy.

September

• UNOOSA stresses the need for a “safe, secure and sustainable space environment” at the Satellite 2021 Conference.
• G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting takes place at ASI headquarters.
• EUMETSAT releases its new long-term strategy.
• UK releases first civil and defence national space strategy.
• Mexico and Russia commit to join efforts for space cooperation.
• Finland and Hungary enter into a Memorandum of Understanding on Space Cooperation.

October

• Andøya Space secures approx. EUR 38 million in funding from Norway to start building a spaceport.
• Scotland issues its National Space Strategy.
• Russia and UAE sign an agreement concerning peaceful space exploration.
• ESA and EDA agree to cooperate on improving space cybersecurity.
• ESA Council Report of the High-Level Advisory Group on Accelerating the Use of Space in Europe is issued.
• ESA sets up a new commercialization unit (Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement) intended to increase European presence in the international space sector.
• Swedish Space Corp. secures 12-year loan from the Nordic Investment Bank for Esrange Space Centre.
• Poland becomes party to the Artemis Accords.
• Portuguese Defence Strategy for Space is published.
• The African Union Executive Council approves the structure of the African Space Agency.
• SANSA and UK Space Agency conclude a Memorandum of Association.
• Rwanda submits a filling before the ITU for 327,000 satellites.

November

• UN First Committee approves five draft resolutions concerning the peaceful use and non-weaponization of space.
• UK Space Agency and CNES conclude an agreement on a new climate change mission.
• UK and Canada agree on space data and services sharing agreement.
• UK launches its Spaceflight Safety and Regulatory Council.
• Russia launches ASAT missions, intercepting and destroying a real satellite.
• ESA Council Resolution on “Accelerating the Use of Space in Europe” (Matosinhos Manifesto).
• ESA issues the SciHab concept - lighthouse for Europe’s Post-ISS engagement in Low Earth Orbit.
• ESA and CNES collaborate to create European space transport hub.
• EU Council adopts its conclusions on “Space for Everyone”.
• EU announces the launch of the new Copernicus constellation to track greenhouse emissions.
• France and Italy sign a bilateral treaty on reinforced cooperation with a section specifically addressing the space sector.
• The Azores Space Strategy is published.

December

• US and France announce increased cooperation on space issues and to address the climate crisis.
• ASI and CNES sign MoU aiming to strengthen their cooperation in space.
• South Africa and China sign MoU to increase satellite navigation technologies.
• The James Webb telescope is launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana.
• The USA launched the Space Priorities Framework.