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SWF February 2020 Newsletter
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Upcoming Events

Apr 7-Apr 8, 2020
2020 Space Security Conference 

Jun 2-Jun 3, 2020
2nd Summit for Space Sustainability

Upcoming Engagements

Feb 3-Feb 7, 2020
Peter Martinez and Brian Weeden will attend the 57th Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of UN COPUOS in Vienna, Austria

Feb 6-Feb 7, 2020
Ian Christensen will participate in the Global Space and Technology Convention in Singapore

Mar 12, 2020
Brian Weeden will give a public lecture on the U.S. Space Force and space security trends to the Charlottesville Committee on Foreign Relations in Charlottesville, VA

Mar 17-Mar 19, 2020
Krystal Wilson will speak at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Secure World Foundation Newsletter

February 2020

Insight - Developing Norms of Behavior for Space

By Space Law Advisor, Chris Johnson

It’s widely accepted that the current state of norms of behavior governing space activities is struggling to keep pace with the increasingly rapid innovation and diversification of space activities. The space law treaties from the 1960s and '70s contain basic principles, yet don’t provide adequate guidance for many current and proposed activities. National space legislation implements most of a State’s obligations and responsibilities, yet needs continual updating. In recent years, the lack of government direction has resulted in the private sector taking the lead in developing standards for activities such as orbital data sharing and satellite servicing. In light of this rapidly expanding and diversifying field, and the reality that some space activities are already interfering with other space activities, the entire space community should be reflecting on how norms for space activities should be developed and implemented. 

Read more here.

Announcements

Save the Date: SWF Summit for Space Sustainability 2020
Please join SWF on June 2-3 in Washington, DC, at the 2nd Summit for Space Sustainability, a high-level, multi-day event focused on inspiring action towards space sustainability. Building on last year’s theme, “Priorities for Norms of Behavior in Space,” this second summit will be a unique gathering of global stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society, this event will feature keynotes, interactive sessions, panels and networking designed to highlight opportunities and challenges for developing solutions for space sustainability. Follow the link above for more information and registration.

Changes to the SWF Board and Advisory Committee 
This year, SWF announces the departure of long-serving Board Member, Andrew Aldrin, PhD. His contributions and dedication to the organization will be missed, and we wish him the best as he moves on to other endeavors.

We welcome Michael K. Simpson, PhD, to the SWF Board of Directors. Dr. Simpson served as SWF’s Executive Director from 2012 through September 2018, and remains active throughout the space community. We welcome Dr. Simpson back in his new role as a Board member.

SWF is also pleased to welcome Guoyu Wang, PhD, to SWF's Advisory Committee. Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Space Law of Beijing Institute of Technology in Beijing, China.

We deeply appreciate the support and guidance provided by all members of our board and advisory committee as SWF continues to work toward collaborative solutions for space sustainability.

SWF Welcomes Interns Nicolas German and Renata Kommel
Mr. German joins SWF for a six-week externship from Leiden University and is working with Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson on original research into the preparatory documents of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Ms. Kommel joins SWF in February and is working with Director of Space Applications Programs and Summit Chair Krystal Wilson, to support SWF’s upcoming 2020 Summit for Space Sustainability.

Publications

SWF Executive Director Dr. Peter Martinez and AEM Director General Dr. Salvador Landeros show off their copies of the translated Handbook at the United Nations.
Feb 4, 2020
Manual Para Nuevos Actores En El Espacio
SWF is proud to announce the publication of the Spanish translation of the Handbook for New Actors in Space. In partnership with Agencia Espacial Mexicana, this translation was produced to enable greater dialogue on space sustainability issues in Spanish-speaking regions of the world.

Feb 5, 2020
Norms of Behavior in Space Workshop Report
The Open Lunar Foundation and SWF held a workshop in Washington, DC to explore the meaning, purpose, and life cycle of norms and their use in preserving the global commons and in fostering and maintaining global public goods, especially in the context of norms for activities in the space environment. The purpose of the workshop was to identify shared perspectives, trends, and open questions, and to inform research priorities for SWF’s emerging governance challenges program in 2020.

Events

Jan 24, 2020
Bermuda Sustainability Workshop
The Government of Bermuda Department of Energy and SWF hosted the first Bermuda Space Sustainability Workshop. The one and a half-day workshop, held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, brought together over 30 experts from government, industry, research organizations and academia to discuss the importance of space sustainability for Bermuda and the world. A key theme of the workshop was discussion of how, as an island nation that has sustainability in its DNA, Bermuda is well positioned to integrate the concept of space sustainability into its broader sustainability efforts and the larger sustainability narrative.

Jan 28, 2020
Wilton Park - Operating in Space: Current Multilateral Policy Issues and Challenges
This event was held in Singapore by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Wilton Park, and was organized in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and SWF. Participants – mostly from Southeast Asia – shared perspectives on how to facilitate the sustainable use of space, with the aim of identifying improved forms of communication and steps to realize them. 

Jan 29, 2020
Examining the Socioeconomic Benefits of the International Space Station
The ISS National Lab and SWF co-hosted a discussion panel to explore how research conducted on the space station provides benefits for sustainability on Earth. The session highlighted important work sponsored by the ISS National Lab that supports global efforts such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This event is part of a two-part series that will continue later in 2020 in Washington, DC, with a focus on policy considerations that affect the ISS.

Experts in the Media

Dec 23, 2019
Is India Becoming a Major Source of Space Debris?
Chris Johnson quoted by BBC News on Indian space debris.

Jan 7, 2020
The Night Sky is Increasingly Dystopian
Mr. Johnson interviewed by Vox on space debris.

Jan 8, 2020
Weekly Space Hangout - Dr. Brian Weeden of The Secure World Foundation
Brian Weeden was a featured guest on The Weekly Space Hangout to discuss space sustainability.

Jan 10, 2020
Space Policy Edition: Houston, We Have a Space Force
Dr. Weeden interviewed by Planetary Radio about what the creation of the Space Force and what comes next.

Jan 13, 2020
Space Junk: How Cluttered Is The Final Frontier?
Dr. Weeden interviewed by NPR's Short Wave Podcast on the dangers of orbital debris.

Jan 14, 2020
Plan to Develop Space Industry
Bermuda Space Sustainability Workshop featured in The Royal Gazette.

Jan 16, 2020
Budget Battles: IC Costs Mean Air Force Gets Short Straw, Say Advocates
Dr. Weeden quoted by Breaking Defense on the Space Force's role in Pentagon budget battles.

Jan 20, 2020
Space Force is Here
Dr. Weeden quoted about the future of the Space Force in The Air Force Magazine.

Jan 23, 2020
Can Space Traffic Control Handle The Volume Of Private Launches?
Dr. Weeden interviewed by NPR on space traffic management.

Jan 31, 2020
A Russian Satellite Seems to be Tailing a US Spy Satellite in Earth Orbit
Brian Weeden quoted by The Verge on implications of a Russian satellite tailing an American spy satellite.
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