2009 Press Releases

December 21, 2009
Africa Establishes New Space Partnerships - The third African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development was held earlier this month in Algiers. An outcome of the gathering was the signing of two regional space partnerships?

December 4, 2009
Space Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future - A space policy workshop held in Mexico City brought together space institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. They have agreed to identify common elements in their space policies to facilitate international cooperation.

November 13, 2009
New Report Offers Steps to Outer Space Security - Outer space security has become an increasingly important issue over recent years. For example, the global community of spacefaring nations is witnessing a sizeable increase in orbital debris from both deliberate and accidental satellite destructions. A new report has flagged a series of recommendations to help address the orbital debris concern, and other issues that can assure enhanced security in space for all.

October 15, 2009
Experts Detail Need for Sustainable Outer Space Environment - Key for Future Global Space Activities - A panel of experts will tackle how best to cope with the rising tide of orbital space debris; what international rules of behavior are required for safe operations in space; and can there be a sustainable space environment for world-wide space activities?

August 3, 2009
Budget Analysis Details U.S. Space Security Programs - Space security programs of the Department of Defense, as outlined in the agency's Fiscal Year 2010 budget request, are reviewed in a new budget analysis.

July 21, 2009
Call for Leadership in Global Space Activities - As the globe celebrates the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's first footprints on the Moon, there is urgent need to reflect on the future of America's civil space enterprise and the role of international cooperation.

June 23, 2009
New Fact Sheet Details Asteroid Threat to Earth - A new fact sheet is available on celestial objects that have a history of impacting the Earth and affecting its inhabitants.

June 16, 2009
Secure World Foundation: Active Role in United Nations Deliberations on Peaceful Uses of Space - The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) held its 52nd session June 3-12. As a Non-Governmental Organization, Secure World Foundation (SWF) has attained active Permanent Observer status to further the Foundation's objectives dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.

May 6, 2009
Canada Space Report: Economy, Government Policy Are Chief Concerns of Space Sector - A new report on the state of Canada's space sector has found that analysts, industry leaders and experts are cautiously optimistic about the state of the space sector in Canada, but are watching the deteriorating state of the economy warily.

May 5, 2009
Small Satellites Tied to International Space Situational Awareness System - One solution to the problems of orbital debris and crowding in certain key orbits in the global commons of outer space is the development of an international civil Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system - an effort strongly advocated by the Secure World Foundation (SWF). Small satellites could offer assistance in attaining a robust SSA system.

April 29, 2009
Space Weather and Space Junk: Hazards to Satellite Operations - Space weather is a key aspect of a proposed system for international civil space situational awareness (ICSSA) that would help track objects in low Earth orbit, along with positional data and point of contact information.

April 27, 2009
Planetary Defense Conference: Protecting Earth from Asteroids, Comets - International experts are gathering this week in Granada, Spain to discuss the technical, political, legal, and social issues in safeguarding the Earth from threatening asteroids and comets.

April 20, 2009
Space Deterrence Concept of Increasing Relevance to Security of U.S. Space Assets - A workshop brought together policy and strategic thinkers to discuss key lessons, impacts and points to bear in mind when thinking about space deterrence. Topics ranged from the analysis of deterrence as a viable strategy, to the threat to space assets and key policy aspects of deterrence.

April 15, 2009
Experts to Discuss Dangers, Legal Issues of Thwarting Threatening Near-Earth Objects - Experts from around the world are set to examine the dangers, prospects and legal issues of dealing with menacing Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Participants in the April 23-24 conference will examine the legal and institutional challenges of international protocols if large asteroids or other interplanetary objects come too close to Earth for comfort.

April 6, 2009
Secure World Foundation Announces Director of Washington, D.C. Operations - Victoria A. Samson has been selected as Director of Washington, D.C. Operations for Secure World Foundation, a role that will tap her talents in ensuring secure access to and sustainable use of space, as well as engaging Congressional staffers and agency officials on matters related to space security and space governance.

March 16, 2009
Secure World Foundation Announces New Partnership - Secure World Foundation has entered into a new partnership with Imaging Notes magazine. Secure World Foundation centers on strengthening or developing the policies and institutions that improve the utility of space technologies in support of human and environmental security needs.

March 11, 2009
Canadian Leadership in Space: International Experts to Discuss Need for Cohesive Policy - Canadian space policy is being addressed this week by a roundtable of experts meeting in Ottawa that will focus on what is required to spur government action on space activities.

February 18, 2009
Satellite Collisions: Plan Outlined for Civil Space Traffic Control System - The February 10 collision of the two satellites resulted in the generation of space junk that now circles Earth and threatens spacecraft from a host of nations. A proposal has been made during the 46th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for a space traffic control system.

February 16, 2009
Space for a Safe and Secure World: International Symposium Tackles Challenging Issues - Space for a Safe and Secure World is the theme for the 13th International Space University Annual International Symposium being held February 18-20 in Strasbourg, France. Issues of military space power and Earth security in the 21st century will be addressed at the gathering.

February 13, 2009
Satellite Collision: Urgent Call for Action - Given the collision this week of satellites in Earth orbit, there is urgent need to establish a civil space traffic control system. It will be increasingly important to follow all active satellites to prevent future preventable collisions.

February 12, 2009
Satellite Collision: Experts Available to Discuss Space Debris Problem - Two satellites, a U.S. commercial spacecraft and a Russian satellite, have collided in Earth orbit on February 10. Both were completely destroyed, producing two large debris clouds. The incident underscores the need for a civil space situational awareness system.

February 3, 2009
Iran Joins Elite Club of Independent Launch Countries, Experts Comment - Iran has joined an elite club of nations and regions capable of independently launching spacecraft into Earth orbit. Each country has a responsibility to protect the space environment from harm and take part in the international effort to preserve the space environment for future generations.

January 29, 2009
Secure World Foundation Shapes 2009 Agenda on Space and Security Issues - An action-oriented agenda for 2009 by the Secure World Foundation is focused on ensuring space security while maintaining the peaceful uses of outer space. Secure World Foundation is taking active roles in space policy, space deterrence, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.