Publications
Aug 9, 2019
UNIDIR Space Security Conference 2019 Report
SWF, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, the Simons Foundation Canada, and the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique, sponsored and helped organize the 2019 UNIDIR Space Security Conference (OS19), “Supporting Diplomacy: Clearing the Path for Dialogue,” which was held on May 28-29, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
OS19 brought together experts and diplomats from around the world to examine some of the technical and policy questions impacting multilateral dialogues on space security and to seek possible paths forward towards stability in space. In particular, OS19 sought to identify areas of convergence where all space actors might agree on the need for collective action that may serve as initial steps in building greater trust in space activities. The exchanges that took place during OS19 were forthright and informative and identified several areas that could be the subject of further dialogue among States. The conference report covers the discussion and highlights major takeaways from the event.
Aug 15, 2019
Report of Tokyo Workshop on the Role of the Investor and Lender Sector in Incentivizing Responsible Space Behavior
As the space start-up community continues to grow internationally, and the investing and financing community becomes more involved, SWF is working with partners to organize the “Space Investing & Responsible Behavior” workshop series. This series aims to examine the ways in which the investor/lender community can work with industry to encourage responsible space operations, and see these practices as key to a sustainable space economy.
SWF, in partnership with the Spacetide Foundation, organized a one-day workshop in Tokyo, Japan, to discuss the ways in which the investor/lender community could work with industry to encourage responsible space operations practices. The report from this event summarizes the panel discussions, provides highlights from audience participation, and outlines conclusions to be considered in parallel with the future events in this series.
Aug 23, 2019
Summary Report from Workshop on Norms of Behavior in Space
Over the last several years, there has been a growing discussion about the importance of norms of behavior for space for supporting current and future space governance efforts. This discussions have focused on the need to identify existing norms of behavior and future norms that should be developed to enhance the safety, security, and stability of the outer space domain. While there is a strong interest in norms of behavior for space, there is a lack of understanding or agreement across the space community on what a norm is and what norms the community should be pushing to develop.
SWF, with sponsorship from OneWeb, held a workshop in Washington, DC, to bring together international experts from commercial, civil, and national security space sectors to develop ideas for norms of behavior in space that will improve space sustainability. The report summarizes the process and outcomes of the workshop.
Aug 26, 2019
The Curious Case of the Transgressing Tardigrades (part 1)
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson co-authored an article on legal challenges presented by the recent news about tardigrades that were covertly placed on the Moon by a private company. Challenges from multiple legal perspectives include the international legal context of the situation, domestic regulatory and business perspectives, geopolitical and diplomatic implications, as well as a basic discussion of the astrobiological norms and social considerations which shape and inform the previous topics.
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