Introduction

The editors of the Lexicon, Almudena Azcárate Ortega and Victoria Samson, developed the list of terms to be included in the first edition of the Lexicon drawing from salient terms used in space security discourse at the multilateral level. The selection of terms was carried out after having analysed United Nations Member States statements and documents submitted to multiple multilateral fora. Initial analysis of English language documents was carried out, followed by subsequent analyses of documents in other United Nations languages where appropriate, to ascertain the use of terminology in the original languages of the relevant UN Member States. Through this exercise, the editors established a list of (i) commonly used acronyms; (ii) frequently used common terms; and (iii) terminology frequently used by States in space policy discussions that could benefit from further clarification to achieve a common understanding. Subsequently, the selection of terms and their definitions were further developed through a geographically representative and linguistically diverse committee of 11 internationally recognized space and disarmament experts. Through a series of online workshops and correspondences, the group reached agreement on both the selection of terms and definitions. The final draft was subsequently reviewed by external peer reviewers. English was the working language of the group through the development of this first edition of the Space Security Lexicon; however, the experts discussed and highlighted multiple linguistic differences of relevance. Versions in all United Nations languages will be created, using the English version as a basis, and checked for consistency. Versions in other languages will not necessarily be exact translations of the present English version, as they will highlight important linguistic differences relevant to each individual language. Where applicable, the Space Security Lexicon does not aim to impose interpretations of terminology, or otherwise determine how these terms should be defined, but rather seeks to highlight that the terminology contained herein can be interpreted in different manners. The goal is to facilitate international discussions on space security-related matters by identifying different definitions and interpretations (where relevant); it is hoped that this Lexicon will serve to enhance transparency and reduce potential misunderstandings. The Space Security Lexicon is an evolving project, and the list of terms contained herein does not seek to be exhaustive. UNIDIR will consider user feedback to add to the current list, and to improve and refine the existing definitions particularly as the user community evolves.

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