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Announcements

SWF Actively Participates in the 49th Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN COPUOS

The forty-ninth session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was held from 6-17 February 2012 at the United Nation Office in Vienna. As every year SWF had a strong participation in various working groups, expert groups and overall discussions. SWF European Program Manager Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, gave a statement to the Subcommittee on behalf of the SWF. Technical Advisor Brian Weeden gave a technical presentation titled "The Global Space Situational Awarenss Sensors Database - A New Tool for Collaboration and Cooperation" while Senior Advisor Ray Williamson presented a report of a workshop: NEOs, the Media and Risk Communications. SWF Executive Director Michael Simpson also attended the meeting.

The Final Report of the 21st UN/IAF Workshop on Space for Human and Environmental Security

Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the release of the final report of the 21st United Nations/International Astronautical Federation Workshop on "Space for Human and Environmental Security". The objectives of the Workshop were to exchange experiences in space science and technology applications and to discuss opportunities for increasing regional and international cooperation among developing countries and between developed and developing countries. This workshop was orgaznized in a partnership with ESA, Secure World Foundation, International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

UN-SPIDER Report on Crowdsource Mapping

Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce release of an informative and instructive publication: UN-SPIDER Report on Crowdsource Mapping. This report based on two Expert Meetings (Vienna, Geneva) organized by the UN-SPIDER with support of the SWF and the Government of Austria. It brought together over 80 experts and practitioners from over 20 countries each time. It focused on exploring possible ways of contributing to improve coordination between the crowdsource communities and the space technology community and on overall improvement of its involvement to facilitate the preparation and processing of space-based products to be used by the disaster risk reduction and emergency response community. The discussions targeted opportunities concerning space-based information which is available for disaster risk reduction and emergency response, including their access and use, as well as the further involvement of existing mechanisms to ensure increased coordination and cooperation of all three communities. Learn more about the event.

"A Day Without Satellites" at the World Economic Forum

At the World Economc Forum's 2012 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden participated in an Open Forum session on "A Day Without Satellites?". Over 300 members of the general public were on hand as Brian and other distinguished experts from industry, academia, and government discussed why satellites were important in our everyday lives, the risks to continued use of space for benefits on Earth, and potential solutions. Watch the video here

 

Future of the US-Japan Relationship

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden joined other young intellectuals in Kanazawa, Japan, for a 2-day conference organized by the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIAA). These experts discussed the future of the US-Japan alliance in the context of the changing geopolitical and strategic environment. Brian gave a presentation on the governance challenges of the space and cyber domains, and discused the role for both the US and Japan in establishing norms of behavior, confidence building, and stability.

 

SWF interviewed on Galileo by EuroparlTV "Reporter: Navigating by EU Stars"

With the first Galileo satellites now in orbit, the dream of a European satellite navigation system is one step closer to reality, but will it be worth the price? Experts including SWF European Program Manager, Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, address the issue in the latest TV interview of the EuroparlTV. Watch the TV interview here.

Fresh Perspectives and Recommendations from the Next Space Generation

The Space Generation Advisory Council just released the complete Space Generation Congress 2011 report. This report is the product of discussions between students and young professionals revolving around the five topics of Industry, Agency, Society, Exploration and Outreach. Secure World Foundation has funded and co-organized the Society project Group of the SGC focusing on integration of space technology into society. Agnieszka Lukaszczyk served as the Subject Matter Expert for that project and the report. Ray Williamson and Tiffany Chow of the SWF also attended the congress. This report and the highlights of SGC will be briefed to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) at the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee meeting in February 2012. Read the report .

Sharing Space Resources

In the latest issue of the Crisis Response Journal SWF European Program manager, Agnieszka Lukaszczyk outlines how nations and organizations are working together to make Earth observation information more readily available - and in the right format - for disaster preparedness and management. Read Article now.

 

 

India, China, and the United States in Space: Partners, Competitors, Combatants? A Perspective from the United States

In this special issue of the India Review (whose focus is "Searching for Space: Perspectives on India's Space Program"), Victoria Samson argues that India's space program used to solely fall under the civil category, but recently it appears to be expanding its use of space for national security efforts and developing capabilities that could give it an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon capacity. This shift by India could have long-term consequences for its relationship with China and Asia's overall regional stability; it also may provide new opportunities for the United States and India to enhance their relations. Read the article now.
Samson also co-authored the introduction to the special issue with Dr. Bharath Gopalaswamy, Associate Director of the Program in Arms Control Disarmament and International Security at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Read more of Samson's publications.

Authorities Gauge Impact of Europe's Galileo Navigation Satellite System

Experts have taken a look at the status of Europe's Galileo global navigation satellite system, emphasizing the prospect for international cooperation, tapping into the satellite navigation business sector, and identifying key benefits for European citizens. Secure World Foundation (SWF) brought together on November 22 leading authorities to participate in a debate on Galileo - its current status and future opportunities. Learn more about the debate now.

SWF in the Media

SWF Experts in the News

Secure World Foundation's team of subject matter experts can be followed throughout the globe across all media outlets. Check out our latest media buzz!

Latest Press Releases

November 29, 2011
Secure World Foundation Ushers in New Leadership with New Year
Secure World Foundation announced today that Dr. Michael Simpson will assume the position of Executive Director of the Foundation, effective January 1, 2012. Simpson's new leadership role at Secure World Foundation (SWF) assumes the duties of Dr. Ray Williamson who will continue working with SWF as Senior Advisor. Read more now.

November 28, 2011
Authorities Gauge Impact of Europe's Galileo Navigation Satellite System
Experts have taken a look at the status of Europe's Galileo global navigation satellite system, emphasizing the prospect for international cooperation, tapping into the satellite navigation business sector, and identifying key benefits for European citizens. Secure World Foundation (SWF) brought together on November 22 leading authorities to participate in a debate on Galileo - its current status and future opportunities. Learn more about the debate now.

November 21, 2011
Report Reviews European Outer Space Policy: Governance Challenges Ahead
Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce release of an informative and instructive publication: European Space Governance: The Outlook. This space policy report is based on a conference organized by Secure World Foundation (SWF) and the Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri), held last September in Brussels, Belgium. The SWF/Ifri meeting reviewed the evolution of European space governance. It was convened almost two years after the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and five months after the release of the European Commission Communication on a future European space strategy. Read the report now.

November 17, 2011
Near Earth Object Media/Risk Communications Experts Gather
A team of workshop participants, including journalists and writers, hazard communication authorities, artists and Near Earth Object (NEO) researchers, met at the University of Colorado, Boulder's Laboratory for
Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).

November 8, 2011
Secure World Foundation Supports Launch of Space Security Index in Europe
Secure World Foundation and the Mission of Canada to the European Union partnered to organize the 2011 Space Security Index Launch in Europe. Discussions at the space policy round table focused on significant global activities within outer space, with a particular emphasis on Europe, driven by a number of important occurrences in the space sector. The event centered on the issuing of the 2011 Space Security Index (SSI).

November 2, 2011
Geospatial Intelligence for National Security, Energy and the Environment
Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of the Fall 2011 issue of Imaging Notes magazine, dedicated to Earth remote sensing for security, energy and the environment."This issue includes a section dedicated to GEOINT in which we discuss two of the hottest trends for geospatial intelligence: human terrain analysis and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's intended adoption of open source software," said Myrna James Yoo, publisher and managing editor of Imaging Notes. Learn more about the Fall 2011 Issue now.