Secure World Foundation Newsletter

April 2017

Insight - Tabletop Exercises to Help Reduce the Risk of Conflict in Space

By Brian Weeden, PhD, SWF Director of Program Planning

The space world is currently undergoing a rapid set of changes. Much has been written about the burgeoning commercial space sector, and the many new companies pursuing innovative space capabilities and activities. Quite a bit more has also been written about the growing number of countries pursuing civil space programs for science and human spaceflight. But the growth in space activities is not limited to just the private sector or civil space; more countries are also using space for national security, defined as both military and intelligence activities, than ever before.

There are several reasons why more countries are pursuing national security space capabilities. The spread of transnational terrorism, proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, competition over natural resources, and increased concerns over border security are all major issues that can benefit from capabilities that observe regional or global changes and provide persistent monitoring - including satellite data. At the same time, military conflicts and engagements over the last two decades have shown how space capabilities can enhance the ability to project military power, particularly beyond a country’s border...continue reading.

Events

Mar 13-15, 2017
Emerging and Established Spacefaring Nations Discuss the Governing of Space Activity at Wilton Park
SWF co-sponsored the "Governing Space Activity in the 21st Century" conference at Wilton Park, bringing together representatives from 20 countries to share best practices and engage an international network of technical experts and policymakers to identify and prioritize areas of space activity where more international cooperation is needed. Discussions allowed for analysis of potential pathways toward formal agreements or treaties, assessment of risks and opportunities from a multisector perspective, and the opportunity to work toward creating a formal set of norms to guide future developments in space. A report highlighting the discussions will soon by published by Wilton Park.

Staff Activities and Presentations

Mar 9, 2017
A Perspective on China's Space Activities at 55th Goddard Memorial Symposium
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden presented on China's plans for space at the 55th Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium.

Mar 14, 2017
History, Structure, Agenda, and Current Work of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson was invited by Leiden University's International Institute of Air and Space Law. Mr. Johnson to lectured on and highlighted the achievements and upcoming work of COPUOS. His presentation is available here.

Mar 22, 2017 
Panel Discussion on Space Crisis Dynamics and Uncertainty
SWF partnered with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to organize a table-top exercise on space crisis dynamics and uncertainty in November 2016. The results of the SWF-CSIS TTX were discussed as part of a panel at a conference organized by CSIS and the Prague Security Studies Institute. Washington Office Director Victoria Samson and Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden spoke on the panel.

Mar 21-23, 2017
Spring Meetings of the International Astronautical Federation Discuss Topics Related to Space Sustainability
Executive Director Michael Simpson, Project Manager Ian Christensen, and Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson participated in the the work of the IAF committee on Space Security and the review and selection of papers to be presented at the 2017 International Astronautical Congress being held in Adelaide, Australia. While at the IAF meetings, SWF staff actively engaged in several committees and working groups, as well as the events of Diversity Day, which served to advance the Federation's "3G" commitment to increase the diversity of gender, generation, and geography in the astronautical community. 

Mar 23, 2017
The Future of Outer Space Security: Private Actors in Space
Mr. Johnson guest lectured at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy's course on new private actors in space. 

Mar 28, 2017
A Broader View of Space Security
Dr. Weeden presented on the concept of space security as viewed through the traditional geopolitical and national security contexts, an environmental context, and a human context at a monthly meeting of the Space Cafe.

Mar 30, 2017
Public Policy and the Evolution of Commercial SSA
Dr. Weeden participated in a panel discussion on Civil and Commercial Developments in SSA at the Space Situational Awareness Symposium, hosted by the George Washington University Space Policy Insitute and Universities Space Research Association in Washington, DC.

Experts in the Media

Apr 1, 2017
The Outer Space Treaty turns 50. Can it survive a new space race?
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson quoted in ABA Journal on the Outer Space Treaty.

Publications