This space defence and security summit is the 3rd Novaspace edition, organised alongside World Space Business Week to connect military, government and commercial decision-makers. Its conference and exhibition address military space strategy, resilience, secure communications, sovereignty and international cooperation for defence leaders, agencies, companies, investors, policymakers and specialist technology teams.
About the Space Defense & Security Summit
The Space Defense & Security Summit is a two-day executive event focused on the growing military and security role of space systems. The 2026 edition runs on 15 and 16 September at Les Salons Hoche in Paris. Novaspace organises the summit with international defence and military organisations and positions it close to World Space Business Week to support crossover between institutional requirements and commercial capability.
The format combines senior conference sessions, networking and an exhibition area. Government officials, military commands, agencies and companies discuss how satellite services and space infrastructure contribute to operations, deterrence and national resilience. Themes include sovereign capability, secure communications, surveillance, contested operations and commercial providers in defence missions. Proximity to World Space Business Week creates meeting opportunities, but the events retain separate programmes and access conditions. Registration is in person, with distinct categories including active military or government participants. Attendees should use the current agenda for exact speakers and sessions rather than treating broad themes as confirmed programme detail. The summit supports strategic and commercial exchange, not classified operations or an open public festival.
Event history and organiser
The 2026 summit is presented as the 3rd edition of the Space Defense & Security Summit. Novaspace created the series to give defence, security and commercial space leaders a dedicated forum within its wider calendar of executive space events. The previous edition in 2025 focused on space’s transition from strategic support function to contested warfighting domain, including resilience, sovereignty and international cooperation. That context helps explain the continuing 2026 focus, but its speakers and conclusions are not automatically current. Novaspace traces its event-organising activity to 1997 and also produces World Space Business Week. In 2026, SDSS takes place within the same Paris week and a short walk from the WSBW venue, while remaining a separate summit at Les Salons Hoche. This arrangement links defence questions with the commercial satellite market without merging their programmes. Novaspace is the organiser; partner military and defence organisations contribute to the platform rather than replacing that relationship.
Topics and themes
SDSS examines how governments and companies are adapting as space becomes more contested and operationally important. Its themes connect strategic policy with resilient services and industrial delivery.
- Military space strategy: leaders consider doctrine, command structures, deterrence and the role of orbital capability across joint and allied operations.
- Resilience: proliferated architectures, protected ground systems and responsive replacement options address disruption, attack and technical failure.
- Secure communications: government and commercial providers examine capacity, protection, interoperability and sovereignty for mission-critical satellite links.
- Industrial capability: procurement, investment and partnerships determine whether national requirements can move from policy into deployable systems and services.
- International cooperation: agencies, commands and alliances discuss information sharing, compatible systems, collective operational resilience and the practical limits of sustained collaboration in a competitive domain.
Who should attend?
The summit is intended for military space leaders, defence ministries, government agencies and international security organisations shaping policy or operational capability. Satellite operators, manufacturers, secure-connectivity providers and defence contractors can use it to understand requirements and partnership opportunities. Investors and strategy teams may find the discussions useful for assessing overlap between commercial space infrastructure and sovereign demand. Policy specialists, analysts and legal advisers can follow debates around deterrence, cooperation and responsible behaviour. Technical and programme teams should review the agenda for sessions aligned with their systems because the event is executive and strategic. Attendance is not a general public route, and some professional categories have specific registration conditions. Participants combining SDSS with World Space Business Week should verify which pass covers each venue, programme and social event.
View Space Defense & Security Summit informationPractical information
SDSS runs at Les Salons Hoche in Paris on 15 and 16 September and is available in person. World Space Business Week uses a separate nearby venue.
Check current registration availability, exact pass scope, identification requirements and the final agenda. Active military categories have specific entry conditions, and combined-week venue access should be confirmed carefully before travel.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is SDSS 2026?
The summit takes place on 15 and 16 September 2026 at Les Salons Hoche in central Paris, France. It is an in-person event.
Which edition is this?
Novaspace presents the 2026 meeting as the 3rd Space Defense & Security Summit, following earlier editions focused on an increasingly contested space domain.
What subjects does it cover?
The programme covers military space strategy, deterrence, resilient architectures, secure communications, sovereignty, commercial defence services, procurement and cooperation between governments, allies and industry.
Who should attend?
It is aimed at military leaders, defence ministries, agencies, international organisations, satellite and defence companies, investors, policymakers, analysts and programme specialists.
How does it relate to World Space Business Week?
The events are organised during the same Paris week and at nearby venues, creating crossover opportunities. They retain separate programmes and pass conditions.
What should delegates confirm?
Check registration availability, category eligibility, badge requirements, exact pass inclusions, the final agenda and access to social events before making travel arrangements. Combined SDSS and WSBW delegates should verify both venues, transfer time, separate entrance procedures and which networking functions their selected pass includes.