Summit for Space Sustainability

When: Tuesday, June 25, 2019

to Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045

The inaugural Summit for Space Sustainability was a high-level multi-day event focused on developing solutions for space sustainability. It encompassed a cross-section of space sustainability issue areas, including space debris, space situational awareness, space law and policy, space governance, national and international space security, and the use of space for human and environmental security on Earth. The Summit explored current trends and promoted these specific areas with the aim of stimulating fresh ideas and dialogues. Event materials are available below.

800 - REGISTRATION
Networking & breakfast

0815 - OPENING WELCOME
Krystal Wilson, SWF Director of Space Applications Programs, Summit Chair

0830 - SWF VISION
Peter Martinez, SWF Executive Director

0845 - SETTING THE STAGE: SPOTLIGHT TALKS [Transcript]

Holger Krag - State of the Space Environment
Rogel Mari Sese - Globalization of Space
Carissa Christensen - Rise and Promise of Commercial Space
Jana Robinson - Militarization and Potential Conflict in Space
Anne Hale Miglarese - Role of Space for Benefits on Earth
Niklas Hedman - Past and Future of Space Governance

1045 - COFFEE BREAK
1115 - AUDIENCE VOTING ON PRIORITIES
Interactive session with the audience to vote on their priorities for space sustainability challenges using the Sli.do tool.

1130 - THE PROMISE AND CHALLENGES OF NEW ACTORS IN SPACE [Transcript]

The last decade has seen a surge in new actors entering the space domain. Many more countries are developing space programs and national law and policy while commercial startups are leveraging cheaper and better technology to do more with less. What are the benefits of the surge in new actors and what should we be wary of? What steps can the world take to ensure that new actors are contributing to space sustainability? | Moderator: Ian Christensen, SWF Director of Private Sector Programs

Panelists: Jim Armor, Northrop Grumman; Simonetta di Pippo, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; Kalpak Gude, Swarm; Mark Mozena, Planet; Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Observer Research Foundation

1230 - LUNCH
1300 - LUNCHEON KEYNOTE [Transcript]

KEVIN O’CONNELL
Director, Office of Space Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce

1345 - SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: TOP-DOWN OR BOTTOM-UP? [Transcript]

The growth in space activities has shifted space traffic management from an academic debate to real-world policy debate, yet there is still significant uncertainty about what it means and how to go about creating a workable regime. Should space traffic management be top-down with a global agreement on rules and standards? Or should it be done from the bottom-up with industry practices enshrined in national regulation? Who decides what the rules are, who they apply to, and how they are enforced? | Moderator: Chris Johnson, SWF Space Law Advisor

Panelists: Didier Alary, University of Toulouse; Talal Al Kaissi, UAE Space Agency; Ron Lopez, Astroscale U.S.; Jennifer Warren, Lockheed Martin

1445 - NETWORKING BREAK
1515 - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMERCIAL SPACE AND COUNTERSPACE [Transcript]
Over the last several years, there has been a growing focus on two different conversations: one about the commercial and economic development of space, and another about the risk of conflict on Earth extending into space. Yet there is often very little dialogue on how these two issues interact and what impact each may have on the other. How might greater geopolitical instability or actual war in space impact commercialization? Can the private sector play a role in deterring space conflict or providing more resilient capabilities? | Moderator: Brian Weeden, SWF Director of Program Planning

Panelists: Joshua Huminski, Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress; Pam Melroy, Melroy & Hollett Technology Partners; Bhavya Lal, Science and Technology Policy Institute; Doug Loverro, Loverro Consulting; Jeffrey Trauberman, VOX Space

1615 - SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
Peter Martinez, SWF Executive Director

1630 - CLOSING KEYNOTE [Transcript]

JAMES “JIM” BRIDENSTINE
Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

June 26, 2019

0800 - BREAKFAST

0830 - KEYNOTE INTERVIEW: MATT DESCH & DAN HART [Transcript]

Interviewed by Jacqueline Feldscher, National Security & Space Reporter, POLITICO

0915 - WHY SPACE SUSTAINABILITY IS CRUCIAL FOR LIFE ON EARTH [Transcript]
Space capabilities are increasingly integrated into societies and the global economy and are finding applications far beyond the traditional missions. From managing natural resources to fighting poverty and monitoring elections, space is becoming a critical tool to address global challenges. How can we continue to break down silos between the space and non-space worlds? What steps can the space world take to make data and capabilities more accessible to those who can have the most impact? |Moderator: Krystal Wilson, SWF Director of Space Applications Programs

Panelists: Carlos Alvarado, Central American Association for Aeronautics and Space; Chris Aubrecht, European Space Agency & World Bank; Ed Parsons, Google; Danielle Wood, MIT

1000 - AUDIENCE VOTING ON SPACE SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS
Interactive session with the audience to vote on their priorities for space sustainability solutions using the Sli.do tool.

1015 - PANEL: TOWARDS NORMS OF BEHAVIOR [Transcript]
In light of the Summit discussions, how would norms of behavior help with space sustainability? What specific proposals for norms on commercial, civil, and national security space should be priorities for the space community? | Moderator: Victoria Samson, SWF Washington Office Director

Panelists: David Edmondson, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Walt Everetts, Iridium Communications; Andre Rypl, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kazuto Suzuki, Hokkaido University

1100 - CLOSE