The Centre for Space Futures (CSF), in collaboration with Novaspace and SpaceTech Gulf, has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to develop a global space capability mapping dashboard. The agreement, announced in June 2026, aims to consolidate data on global space capabilities into a single, accessible platform.
The dashboard is designed to map space assets, infrastructure, and activities across nations and private entities. It will leverage data from Novaspace's market intelligence and SpaceTech Gulf's regional space expertise, with CSF providing strategic oversight. The tool intends to offer real-time insights into launch schedules, satellite deployments, and emerging space technologies.
While specific technical parameters and operational timelines remain undisclosed, the partners have indicated the dashboard will undergo phased development, with an initial version expected to be operational within 18 months. It will rely on publicly available data and contributions from signatory organizations, with plans to expand data sources over time.
The initiative addresses a growing need for transparency in the fast-evolving space sector, where overlap and duplication of efforts have been cited as inefficiencies. By providing a unified view, stakeholders—from governments to startups—can identify gaps, avoid redundancies, and prioritize investments. The collaboration also reflects Saudi Arabia's increasing role in the global space economy.
Skeptics question whether the dashboard can maintain neutrality, as its data sources and governance framework have not been detailed. Without independent auditing, there are concerns it could reflect the priorities of its founders, who include commercial entities with vested interests. This lack of specificity may limit adoption by non-signatory nations and competing private firms.