The International Risk Podcast

Episode 241: Is the Growing Role Of Commercial Entities in Space a Security Threat with Almudena Azcárate Ortega

Dominic Bowen Season 5 Episode 241

On this week’s episode of The International Risk Podcast, host Dominic Bowen welcomes Almudena Azcárate Ortega for an in-depth discussion on space security. Together, they explored a wide range of critical issues, including the involvement of commercial space actors in military activities and potential armed conflicts, the challenges posed by dual-use and dual-purpose technologies, and the vital importance of clear and accurate terminology in global space security dialogues.

Drawing on her extensive experience briefing UN Member States and leading UNIDIR’s efforts in the 2022-2023 UN Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats, Almudena unpacks the vulnerabilities of commercial satellites and the challenges of governing dual-use technologies. This conversation reveals how critical governance is to ensuring a secure and sustainable space domain.

Almudena Azcárate Ortega is the lead Space Security Researcher at UNIDIR and an Academic Fellow at Georgetown University, where she is pursuing her doctorate in space security law. She led UNIDIR’s participation in the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats and holds an LL.M. in National Security Law from Georgetown and an LL.B. from the University of Navarra.

The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe’s top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.

Dominic’s 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.

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