On February 26, the Perry Center, in partnership with the Inter-American Defense College (IADC), launched its first co-branded Space Policy and Strategy course in Washington, DC. Designed for civilian and military professionals, the course analyzes outer space’s strategic, technological, and governance dimensions in the twenty-first century. Led by Course Director Dr. Arturo Sotomayor, the five-week program brings together thirty-four participants from fourteen countries representing the defense, security, and diplomatic sectors. Through expert-led discussions, case studies, and interactive exercises, participants will explore themes including space governance under international treaties and agreements, space initiatives in Latin America, and the implications of space militarization.

“The work of our professors has reinforced the importance of strategic partnerships and education in advancing [space cooperation], making this course ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for Fort McNair,'” said Perry Center Director Dr. Paul Angelo. “Our institutions, together, have the potential to serve as leaders in space education and policy development, leveraging our combined resources and networks to advance awareness, expertise, and common agenda-setting among the countries of our shared neighborhood. Together with the Colegio, the Perry Center is expanding its horizons, looking up and toward the final frontier.” As a hub for advanced defense studies, the IADC’s mission is to prepare military, police, and civilian officials from Organization of American States members for strategic roles in this evolving domain.

Recognizing the expansive role of space in global security, the Perry Center is strengthening US dialogue with leading regional partners. The Center is developing a space policy seminar with Brazilian institutions in June. Faculty and staff also plan to contribute to upcoming international discussions, including the Space Doctrine Conference in Miami in late March, the Space Conference of the Americas in Brasilia in July, and bilateral events with space components in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Further, in February, the Perry Center welcomed a new non-resident space policy fellow, Ms. Laura Delgado Lopez, to draw on her experience as a policy advisor at NASA to advance the Center’s regional educational activities.

Twelve countries in the Western Hemisphere have joined the Artemis Accords, in a bid to advance transparency, collaboration, and interoperability in space exploration. This course demonstrates the Perry Center’s firm commitment to providing defense professionals with the strategic understanding needed to address space security.