2008 Press Releases

December 31, 2008
Earth and Space Security: Progress and Challenges Ahead - While there were important steps taken in 2008 regarding the cooperative and effective use of outer space, the coming year presents both challenge and promise for the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.

December 22, 2008
Earth Observations for Human Security, but Political and Institutional Barriers Remain - Earth and its inhabitants are besieged by environmental hazards and the projected impact from global climate change. To help counter the destructive nature of these hazards, powerful new tools are available, from using satellites to applying new analytical capabilities. A recent gathering of global experts explored how best to use these 21st century capabilities - and understand political and institutional barriers that must be overcome in the future.

December 1, 2008
Space Situational Awareness: Europe Takes Important Step - Partners within the European Space Agency are moving forward on developing a Space Situational Awareness system - a step that could lead to an international civil system for global space traffic management.

December 1, 2008
Asteroid Threats to Earth - UN Officials Briefed on Need for Global Response - A new report flags the need for global decision-making to respond to the threat of Near Earth Objects. The findings of a two-year long effort are being briefed to officials within the United Nations, as well as leaders in various space agencies around the world.

November 20, 2008
Fair and Responsible Use of Outer Space: Experts Discuss Issues - Leading space experts are delving into the equitable and responsible utilization of outer space among a growing list of spacefaring nations. A two-day meeting is underway in Vienna, Austria.

November 14, 2008
Space Security Lecture Invitation: Space Traffic Management - Given worldwide launches of spacecraft, attention is being focused on the need for space traffic management - to help avoid future on-orbit collisions. To raise awareness of this sky-high issue, the Secure World Foundation's Space Security Lunch Series will feature Dr. T.S. Kelso, one of the world's key experts on space debris and space situational awareness (SSA).

November 7, 2008
Traffic Management in Outer Space: Call for a Global Civil System - Outer space is crowded with functioning spacecraft, as well as dead or dying satellites - and bits of human-made hazardous space debris. Experts have started to blueprint a civilian space situational awareness system - a movement toward global space traffic management.

October 31, 2008
Space, Security and the Economy is a September 2008, published by Economists for Peace and Security. The report warns that the present policy of space dominance could transform outer space into a military battleground.

October 30, 2008
A special space policy panel will address NASA funding in the future, as well as commercial, scientific and military space strategies. The event will take place on the Colorado University-Boulder campus at the Discovery Learning Center, Room 1B70, Thursday night, October 30. The panel discussion will start at 5:30 p.m. Panel members will include Phil Smith of the Secure World Foundation, Robert Zubrin of the Mars Society, and Dave Klaus of BioServe Technologies. A range of topics are to be addressed, including NASA funding - should it be adjusted or changed? What smaller missions should have priority for science exploration? Will space turn into a military zone or a constantly growing junkyard of space debris? The event is sponsored by the CU Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (CU-SEDS).

October 20, 2008
This week, a special briefing is to be held at the United Nations on space security, focused on the commercial sector, emerging space states, and civil society. To be presented are new perspectives on space security, focused on the commercial sector, emerging space states, and civil society.

August 13, 2008
Presidential Space Policy Debate: University of Colorado, Boulder -- U.S. space exploration policy will be the topic of debate by representatives of American Presidential hopefuls, Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama on Thursday, August 14 as part of the 11th Annual International Mars Society Convention. Moderator for the U.S. space policy discussion is Leonard David, Research Associate for the Secure World Foundation and Special Correspondent for SPACE.com and Space News newspaper.

July 8, 2008
Secure World Foundation Receives United Nations Permanent Observer Status -- The Secure World Foundation (SWF) has received Permanent Observer status within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. This status will further SWF objectives dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.