2011 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 3, 2011
Close Asteroid Flyby of Earth: Experts Available
A hefty asteroid will zoom by Earth on November 8, a chunk of rock that also serves as a wake-up call. While classified as a potentially hazardous object, asteroid 2005 YU55 poses no threat of an Earth collision - for at least the next 100 years. Still, this close flyby of Earth is a reminder that our planet is just a sitting duck in a cosmic shooting gallery. Experts at Secure World Foundation are available to discuss this event and the future of maintaining a vigilant eye on Near Earth Objects (NEOs), as well as establishing a Planetary Defense strategy. Learn more about how to contact our experts.

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.

September 15, 2011
Future of European Outer Space Governance: Constructive Discussion Highlights Issues Ahead
A meeting of leading space experts has convened to review the future of European space governance, discussing policy, legal, funding, and technical issues of establishing a sustainable foundation for Europe's ever-growing space enterprise. Learn more about the event and the experts who participated.

September 14, 2011
Expert Contacts Available to Discuss Issues Related to NASA's UARS Re-Entry
Secure World Foundation experts are available on orbital debris, space
situational awareness, space traffic management, space sustainability, and
related topics. Find out how to contact our experts now.

August 30, 2011
Asteroid Impact on Earth: Experts Review Global Response and Mitigation Steps
A workshop has brought together leading representatives from space agencies and international experts to discuss key issues related to global response and cooperation in the event of a Near Earth Object (NEO) impact threat to Earth.Asteroid Impact on Earth: Experts Review Global Response and Mitigation Steps.The gathering of specialists took place August 25-26 in Pasadena, California. The meeting was co-organized and co-sponsored by Action Team-14, part of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, Secure World Foundation (SWF), and the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) that represents over 350 individuals from 35 nations who have flown in space.

August 24, 2011
New Report Analyzes Development Paths of Emerging Space Nations and Sustainable Use of Outer Space
While the advent of emerging space nations certainly creates opportunities, it also raises new concerns. Balancing these new sets of opportunities and risks requires an understanding of the rationale and development paths of all space actors, in particular, emerging space nations. A new examination of six emerging space nations (South Africa, Brazil, and India compared against Nigeria, Venezuela, and Malaysia) reveals opportunities and challenges to space sustainability. Read the Executive Summary. Read the Full Report.

July 26, 2011
Using Satellites for Human and Environmental Security Needs
Can satellites attuned to curbing human rights violations become an instrument for stopping genocide here on Earth? This issue and others are considered in the Summer 2011 issue of Imaging Notes - a distinctive
publication that is partnered with Secure World Foundation and focuses on Earth remote sensing for security, energy and the environment.

July 11, 2011
International Experts Blend Space Technologies and Crowdsourcing to Enhance Disaster Management Tools
Space-based technologies -- from Earth remote sensing spacecraft to global navigation and telecommunications satellites - are potent tools in both shaping disaster preparedness and in dealing with the chaos of responding to natural disasters. An international gathering of more than 60 experts took part in Crowdsource Mapping for Preparedness and Emergency Response, held July 5-6 in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs' Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), with the support and cooperation of the Government of Austria and Secure World Foundation.

June 14, 2011
New Report: Latest Trends and Developments in Outer Space Security
The Space Security Index (SSI) is pleased to announce the release of the executive summary of Space Security 2011, the eighth annual report on developments that have an impact on the security and long-term sustainability of outer space. Funding and support for the SSI project comes from Secure World Foundation (SWF), The Simons Foundation, Project Ploughshares, the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. The goal of the Index is to provide a well-informed, unbiased perspective on the current status of space security.

May 5, 2011
Pivotal Shift Underway in Satellite Observations of Earth
Thanks to the ease of use and accessibility of satellite data, a "pivotal shift" is underway, such as using Earth remote sensing satellites to help monitor and perhaps defuse conflict. This data shift enables people to contribute data from the field and to incorporate social media and live feeds for disaster response.

April 26, 2011
Secure World Foundation Announces Dr. Michael Simpson as Senior Program Officer
Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Simpson will join the staff of the Foundation, taking on the position of Senior Program Officer. Simpson comes to the Secure World Foundation after serving more than seven years as President of the International Space University (ISU), based in Strasbourg, France.

April 20, 2011
A Call for Sustainable Use of Outer Space by Secure World Foundation
President
Concerns regarding the secure and sustainable uses of outer space have been raised by Secure World Foundation's founder and President, CyndaCollins Arsenault who is participating in a forum round table discussion on the importance of space exploration for education, science and culture.The special roundtable is being held during the International Forum on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, a celebration of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's milestone-making spaceflight over five decades ago.

March 28, 2011
Secure World Foundation Experts Discuss Space Verification and Security Issues
What future verification norms for outer space are needed and what steps can be taken to increase transparency and confidence-building measures and verification in space? These issues are being addressed in an upcoming workshop and conference.

March 16, 2011
Japan Tragedy: Secure World Foundation Emphasizes Value of Satellite and Social
Media Tools
The multi-prong tragedy in Japan of earthquake, tsunami, and the crippling of nuclear power plants underscores the importance of disaster response, including the invaluable use of Earth remote sensing satellites and social networking tools. In terms of human and environmental security, Secure World Foundation focuses not only on keeping outer space sustainable but also on maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of using space for the benefit of humanity.

March 2, 2011
Expert Panel to Discuss India's Military Space Efforts and Regional Security Considerations
India's space program, originally civil in nature, has become increasingly militarized. This has recently manifested itself in India with an interest in developing anti-satellite weapons.The Secure World Foundation (SWF) is hosting a special panel discussion on Tuesday, March 8, 2011: "India's Military Space Efforts and Regional Security Considerations".

February 28, 2011
Satellite Remote Sensing: Light Detection and Ranging - The Next Big Thing!
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is rising to new heights as a space-based satellite sensing tool. LiDAR is among the topics highlighted in the Winter 2011 issue of the quarterly print and online publication - Imaging Notes magazine - devoted to Earth remote sensing for security, energy and the environment and a partner with Secure World Foundation.

February 1, 2011
Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the organization's new, scalable, dynamic and user-friendly website - a fresh design to further its objectives in promoting cooperative solutions for the sustainability of outer space.