Space Policy and Sustainability Issue Briefing for the Incoming Biden Administration

WHAT:

Outer space activities are more important to the United States now than at almost any time in our history. Space technology and services provide critical national security capabilities, scientific knowledge, economic opportunities, and the tools to understand and respond to a changing climate. The rapid growth in new actors conducting space activities, an increasing number of active satellites and debris objects, and the growing potential for conflict create both opportunities and challenges that require timely policy responses from the incoming administration. As the Biden administration begins setting its policy agenda for the next four years, Secure World Foundation has developed an issue briefing to provide background and recommendations on key issues to help the U.S. meet current and emerging challenges in outer space. This brief contains recommendations on issues ranging from fostering a vibrant commercial space sector to dealing with threats from counterspace capabilities.

The full issue briefing can be found here and the executive summary here.

Jacqueline Feldscher, national security and space reporter at Politico, interviewed several of the briefing’s contributors on SWF’s recommendations and current thoughts on where the Biden administration might be headed on these issues.

WHO:

Opening Statement by:

• Peter Martinez, Executive Director, Secure World Foundation

Moderated by:

• Jacqueline Feldscher, National Security and Space Reporter, Politico

Featuring:

• Brian Weeden, Director of Program Planning, Secure World Foundation
• Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director, Secure World Foundation
• Ian Christensen, Director of Private Sector Programs, Secure World Foundation

VIDEO