Secure World Foundation Newsletter

May 2018

Insight - Regulatory Reform is Not a One-off Event

By Ian Christensen, Director of Private Sector Programs

Each year a large portion of the international civil, commercial, and military space sector gathers for the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence kicked off this year's event with an address highlighting a number of key space-related policy and regulatory reform efforts currently being undertaken within the U.S. government. Vice President Pence’s appearance at the Symposium was emblematic of the continued importance being placed on modernizing the regulatory framework to enable commercial space development in the U.S. and of the relevance of that effort to the international community. 

Speaking at the Symposium on the day after the Vice President, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross characterized the current situation as “a period of great convergence.” He described this as a ”convergence of technology, convergence of capital, and convergence of political will.” Secretary Ross’s remarks also provided greater detail on efforts underway within the Executive Branch of the U.S government, under the auspices of the recently re-established National Space Council, to reform and adapt the space-related regulatory framework in the United States to be more responsive and effective in response to ongoing innovation within the private sector and to existing perceived shortcomings in the regulatory structure...continue reading.

Announcements

Events

Apr 5-Apr 7, 2018
Legal and Ethical Boundaries of Conflict in Space
SWF co-sponsored an event held by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The presentations and moderated discussions focused on the challenge of defining the legal boundaries of conflict that includes space. Over 40 experts from academia, public policy, national security, and the aerospace industry gathered for the two-day invite-only event. Washington Office Director Victoria Samson presented the results of the SWF report on global counterspace capabilities.

Apr 24, 2018
SWF Co-Sponsored and Participated in 7th Space Generation Fusion Forum at Space Symposium
The Space Generation Fusion Forum is a two-day, high-intensity, fast-paced professional development and networking event focused on the international and U.S. space industry. The Fusion Forum hosts 50 competitively chosen students and young professionals and addressed key issues in an interactive "Round Robin" discussion format. Ms. Samson gave a keynote address on space and national security, focusing on Secure World Foundation’s recently released “Global Counterspace Capabilities: A Open Source Assessment.”

Apr 24, 2018
SWF Luncheon Focuses on Commercial Sector Norms at 34th Space Symposium
SWF sponsored and coordinated a luncheon panel entitled "The Commercials Sector and Norms for Responsible Use of Space" where panelists from think tanks, aerospace companies, industry associations, and space insurers discussed how companies involved in the space sector can be test beds for best practices that enable continued profitable and responsible use of space.​ Executive Director Michael Simpson served as moderator and Director of Private Sector Programs Ian Christensen spoke on the panel. See the event page here for more information, including a forthcoming audio recording and transcript.

Apr 26, 2018
SWF Co-Organizes Panel Event on “Implications of Space Station Privatization: Policy and Planning Ahead"
SWF, the University of Colorado Boulder AeroSpace Ventures, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade partnered to host an evening panel discussion and networking reception on the topic of “Implications of Space Station Privatization: Policy and Planning Ahead.” Discussing NASA's plans for transition of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 for greater utilization by the private sector, in the context of a broader policy goal to stimulate development of commercial markets and services in low Earth orbit (LEO), this panel raised a number of policy questions and issues that must be explored in planning for that transition. Mr. Christensen moderated the discussion.

Apr 30, 2018
Space Stability and International Cooperation at the U.S.-India Space Cooperation Roundtable
In coordination with the U.S.-India Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, SWF and Skymet Weather Services hosted a roundtable discussion and reception. Ms. Samson gave a presentation on Space Stability and International Cooperation. Among the participants were five Indian guests participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP was conceptualized in 1940 by Nelson Rockefeller as a professional exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. More information is available on the event page here.

Staff Activities and Presentations

Apr 19, 2018
Human and Environmental Security at the 7th Digital Earth Summit
Director of Space Applications Programs Krystal Wilson gave a keynote presentation at the 7th Digital Earth Summit 2018 (DES-2018) in El Jadida, Morocco. DES-2018 brought together scientists and professionals from the African and international community to present latest achievements, discuss challenges and share experiences. Ms. Wilson’s presentation focused on introducing this community to Secure World Foundation and its work, including the Handbook for New Space Actors and our policy efforts under the Human and Environmental Security portfolio.

Apr 23, 2018
SWF Staff Participate in the 57th Session of the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS
Space Law Advisor Christopher Johnson and Ian Christensen, Director of Private Sector Programs, represented SWF at the 57th session of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Mr. Christensen gave an update on SWF's activities related to the work of the Subcommittee, including the SWF Handbook for New Actors in Space. The Legal Subcommittee discussed aspects of resource use in outer space, including the current feasibility of developing norms for resource use and the suitability of various fora for these discussions. The Subcommittee also discussed various other legal aspects of space included in its agenda, such as space traffic management and legal aspects of small satellites.

Apr 25, 2018
Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group Holds Meeting
Executive Director Michael Simpson and Director of Private Sector Programs Ian Christensen participated in a face-to-face meeting of the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group. At this meeting, the Working Group formally initiated the second phase of its activities, in which it will further consider the 19 Draft Building Blocks for the Development of an International Framework on Space Resources Activities which were developed during the first phase of the Group's activities. The Group is requesting public comment and feedback on the draft Building Blocks, via a online survey tool. Comments are due by October 15, 2018.

Apr 27, 2018
The Role of SSA in Supporting Norms of Behavior to Enhance Space Security
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden presented at the 2018 Military Space Situational Awareness Conference on the role of space situational awareness (SSA) in space security. Dr. Weeden discussed how the normalization of the space domain is creating more challenges for space security and why the space domain needs to pulls lessons from other domains in developing norms of behavior that can help discriminate between normal and threatening behavior. Dr. Weeden emphasized that improving SSA for all actors in space is fundamental for all of these solutions, and thus enhancing space security.

Apr 30, 2018
Managing the Security Challenges from the Proliferation of Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Technology
Dr. Weeden took part in a dinner panel discussion on "Preventing Space Pearl Harbors" in Washington, DC. The event was organized by the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center and focused on the security challenges posed by the proliferation of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technology. The speakers included Dr. Brian Chow, independent researcher; and Mr. Josh Hartman, Managing Partner of Renaissance Strategic Advisors.

Dr. Weeden discussed current initiatives, such as the CONFERS project to develop industry standards for RPO and satellite servicing and the Woomera Manual on international law and military space activities, as positive steps to help address some of these issues. 

May 1, 2018
How to Attract and Retain Women in STEM Education and Space Related Careers
Director of Strategic Partnerships Tiffany Chow presented at the 2018 Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi on a panel entitled "How to attract and retain women in STEM education and space related careers" organized by the Space Generation Advisory Council. Other panelists included Dr. Danielle Wood from Space Enabled at MIT, Dr. Soyeon Yi from Loft Orbital Solutions and Ms. Sheika Al Maskari from the UAE Space Agency, and moderator Mr. Michael Gold from Maxar Technologies. To address the complex challenges of space sustainability, SWF believes the industry requires the creative thinking and diverse skills of a representative workforce.

Experts in the Media

Apr 1, 2018
The First Space Ace: F-15 vs. Satellite
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden quoted in Air & Space Magazine on the 1985 ASM-135 ASAT Test.

Apr 5, 2018
SpaceX’s Earth views need a license now, probably thanks to the Tesla stunt
Dr. Weeden quoted by The Verge on NOAA Licensing of SpaceX Launch Videos.

Apr 6, 2018
Space war is coming — and the U.S. is not ready
Dr. Weeden quoted by Politico on realities of space conflict.

Apr 9, 2018
Pirate Radio in Space: Silicon Valley startups meet space-law reality
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson and Director of Private Sector Programs Ian Christensen quoted in Slate on satellite licensing and recent unauthorized satellite launch.

Apr 10, 2018
Experts Explain Why Some Are Concerned About a New Cold War Space Race
Dr. Weeden and SWF event cited on space weaponization in Teen Vogue.

Apr 10, 2018
The sneaky ways China and Russia could threaten US satellites
Dr. Weeden quoted by C4ISRNET on the proliferation of counterspace capabilities.

Apr 11, 2018
A new target for hackers? Satellites
Defense News article cites cyber vulnerabilities of satellites from SWF counterspace report.

Apr 11, 2018
Analysts: Space weapons proliferating, there is more congestion and competition
SWF counterspace report highlighted in Space News.

Apr 16, 2018
White House readies new system for space traffic management, VP Mike Pence says
Dr. Weeden quoted in Geek Wire on Trump Administration's plan for space traffic management.

Apr 17, 2018
Preventing Space Pollution
Washington Office Director Victoria Samson interviewed in Aerospace America on UN COPUOS space debris prevention efforts.

Apr 18, 2018
Understanding the players, tactics for a possible war in space
C4ISRNET explains global counterspace and cites SWF report.

Apr 24, 2018
House bill would regulate bold commercial space missions — but not very closely
Dr. Weeden quoted by The Verge on passage of American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act.

May 2, 2018
The FCC May Penalize Companies That Launch Tiny Rogue Satellites, After All
Mr. Johnson quoted by Futurism on the implications of unlicensed activities by Swarm.

May 4, 2018
Pakistan pushes for homegrown satellite development
Dr. Weeden quoted in DefenseNews on Pakistani purchase of Chinese satellite technology.

Publications

Apr 4, 2018
New UN Guidelines For Space Sustainability Are A Big Deal
Washington Office Director Victoria Samson and Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden co-author article on the significance of United Nations guidelines for enhancing the long-term sustainability of space. 

Apr 11, 2018
SWF Releases New Report on Global Counterspace Capabilities
SWF published a new report that provides an in-depth assessment of counterspace capabilities being developed around the world. The report is a compilation of publicly-available information for various countries developing counterspace capabilities across several categories: direct ascent, co-orbital, directed energy, electronic warfare, and cyber. For each of these categories, our team of SWF staff and international experts assessed what the current and near-term capabilities might be for the countries examined in the report, based on the open source information. We also assessed the potential military utility for each capability. Finally, when possible, we also examined each country’s policy, doctrine, and budget to support the counterspace capabilities being developed. The analysis is intended to provide a more holistic picture of what each country is working on, and how these capabilities may be used. More information about the report and a download link can be found here.

Apr 12, 2018
Insight - Global Proliferation of Counterspace Capabilities and Space Sustainability
Space security has become an increasingly salient policy issue. Over the last several years, there has been growing concern from multiple governments over the reliance on vulnerable space capabilities for national security, and the corresponding proliferation of offensive counterspace capabilities that could be used to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy space systems. This in turn has led to increased rhetoric from some countries about the need to prepare for future conflicts on Earth to extend into space, and calls from some corners to increase the development of offensive counterspace capabilities and put in place more aggressive policies and postures...continue reading.