Brief
Experts list International Space Station among 2026 Nobel Peace Prize contenders
The ISS joins a field that includes Donald Trump, Mark Carney and several humanitarian organisations, according to the Independent.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Independent reports that experts are naming the International Space Station (ISS) as a leading candidate for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced on Oct. 9 in Oslo.
What happened
The Nobel Committee received 287 nominations for this year’s prize, with just over a quarter coming from organisations. Among the shortlist, the ISS is highlighted for its role as a rare symbol of global cooperation in space at a time when multilateralism is under strain.
What the reports add
Haakon Gjerløw, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, is cited as a top forecaster who says the ISS represents “global cooperation in a quest toward the heavens.” The list also includes U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ukrainian children’s advocate Mykola Kuleba, Save the Children, Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court jointly.
What was said
Gjerløw told the Independent that the ISS is “a rare symbol of global cooperation in a quest toward the heavens at a time when multilateralism is crumbling.” The article notes that Trump has openly expressed a desire to win the prize, while Carney has gained attention for standing up to Trump on issues such as U.S. tariffs.
How it came about
Felo News previously covered the ISS as a Nobel contender in its article Experts cite International Space Station as possible Nobel Peace Prize winner, noting the same 287 nominations and the ISS’s symbolic value. The current speculation builds on that earlier analysis, adding new names such as Trump and Carney and highlighting recent controversies surrounding the ICC and the 2025 laureate María Corina Machado’s symbolic hand‑over to Trump.
Key facts
- The Nobel Committee received 287 nominations for the 2026 Peace Prize, with just over a quarter from organisations. (independent.co.uk)
- The International Space Station is listed among the leading contenders for the prize. (independent.co.uk)
- Haakon Gjerløw of the Peace Research Institute Oslo described the ISS as a rare symbol of global cooperation. (independent.co.uk)
- Other named contenders include Donald Trump, Mark Carney, Mykola Kuleba, Save the Children, Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the ICJ/ICC. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “A galactic Nobel? Experts float the International Space Station among contenders for the Peace Prize”
