Navigating the Cislunar Crossroads: Partnerships, Security and Japan as a case study
Day: Thursday 08 October
Time: 09:00 - 10:00
Location: D1 and D2 - NEST Congress and Exhibition Centre
This panel examines how future cislunar infrastructure is taking shape through two distinct but increasingly connected approaches: one centred on international cooperation and shared capabilities, and another shaped by security considerations and strategic autonomy. As the Moon becomes a focus for exploration, commercial activity, and national security interests, decisions made today will influence whether future lunar infrastructure develops in a coordinated, interoperable way or becomes fragmented across competing initiatives. Starting from cislunar architectures born in Japan, the session will open into a broader discussion on how cooperative and security-driven approaches can be reconciled. Where can interoperability and standardisation still be achieved? What are the trade-offs in cost, schedule, resilience, and strategic control? And how can diplomacy and commercial partnerships help prevent these approaches from diverging too far? By connecting Japan’s work to a wider international conversation, the panel aims to identify practical ways to support a more coordinated, sustainable, and resilient cislunar ecosystem.
