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There had never been more events in space than today. There is commercial activity Exploded In the past five years, private space companies have launched rockets, placed satellites in orbit, and bid on missions to the moon.

But some experts worry that this mobility goes far beyond international agreements that determine who can do what in space. Most such policies were written and adopted long before the commercial space industry warmed up.

Countries are now realizing that they need to update these agreements. This week, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Studies accomplished its annual Outer Space Security Conference In Geneva, Switzerland (participants had the option to participate either virtually or in person). For two days, diplomats, researchers and military officials from around the world met to discuss threats and challenges, arms control and space security. Their conversations provided a window into what new space politics could look like.

Here are some of the most important takeaways.

Could be an arms race

Some experts worry that space could become the next battleground. The use of counter-space technologies is increasing. For example, Russia and Chinese recently conducted anti-satellite missile tests, and the United States has long had similar capabilities.

“I would argue that we are watching an arms race unfold,” he said. Benjamin Silverstein He’s a research analyst for the space project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “We’ve probably passed the point where it’s prudent to focus our main efforts on preventing this arms race.”

Instead of deterrence, new policies should focus on mitigating the negative consequences of this arms race, Silverstein said. He urged states to use the United Nations and diplomatic resources to clarify and improve relations between rival actors.