Paris hosts the International Space Summit at the Grand Palais with 90 countries and organisations
10 September 2026
France hosted the International Space Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris on 9 and 10 September. President Emmanuel Macron had announced it in October 2025 when he presented France's national space strategy. According to the Élysée, 90 countries and international organisations took part, about 60 of them at the level of heads of state or government or ministers, and nearly 1,100 space companies attended. The talks covered three themes: the global space economy, science and exploration, and space security. Declarations were issued on the Copernicus programme, on space-based scientific data and in support of ITU's rules for managing radio frequencies. On the second day Macron spoke with French astronaut Sophie Adenot while she was in space.
In plain words
Copernicus Copernicus programme — The European Union's Earth observation programme, run with ESA, that monitors land, sea and atmosphere.
ITU International Telecommunication Union — The UN agency, based in Geneva, that allocates radio frequencies and satellite orbits.
CNES Centre national d'études spatiales — France's national space agency.
Grand Palais — A large exhibition hall in central Paris, built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.