At Open Lunar, we believe that responsible stewardship of space—both in cislunar environments and beyond—requires openness, collaboration, and transparency from all participants in space exploration. We support the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) statement on the importance of transparency in cislunar and interplanetary spaceflight activities. This aligns with our values of promoting peaceful, sustainable, and equitable use of space, where shared information enhances safety, encourages cooperation, and reduces risks.
As we enter a new era of space activity, the growing presence of governmental, commercial, and international actors in deep space underscores the need for clear, transparent reporting and coordination. The AAS’s emphasis on publicly reporting trajectory details for deep space objects reflects the critical need for greater space situational awareness to avoid interference between missions, safeguard planetary defence, and support international collaboration.
We recognize the complexities involved in implementing transparency, particularly for commercial actors who must balance operational confidentiality with the public interest. However, we believe transparency should serve as a foundation for trust across the space ecosystem. While there are understandable concerns about sharing potentially sensitive information, fostering a culture of openness can promote greater cooperation and peaceful engagement in cislunar space aligned with the principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
At Open Lunar, we are actively working to encourage responsible behaviour in space activities, through initiatives such as our Lunar Registry, which focuses on promoting voluntary transparency and information sharing. We believe that as space operations grow more complex, frameworks for transparent and cooperative governance must evolve as well, ensuring that they benefit all of humanity, safeguard scientific endeavours, and support the peaceful and sustainable exploration of space.
We welcome the AAS’s commitment to transparency in spaceflight operations and look forward to continued collaboration with governments, international organizations, and commercial actors to develop shared practices. By working together, we can ensure that the future of cislunar and interplanetary space remains safe, open, and equitable for all.