September 9, 2015

Scenario Workshop on Exploring Self-Defense in Space

While all nations have the inherent right to self-defense, questions arise when ascertaining how that applies in the outer space domain. SWF and George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute (SPI) held a small, closed-door workshop focused on understanding how the principle of the right to self-defense may apply in the context of actions and activities is space.

September 17, 2015

2015 AMOS Dialogue in Maui

Space traffic management was the topic of the fourth Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance (AMOS) Dialogue, and discussions focused on addressing the gaps in the current operational capabilities and governance mechanisms to improve on-orbit safety and sustainability. Covered as part of the 2015 conference in Maui, participants included governments, military, satellite operators, technical experts, and non-govermental organizations.

September 22, 2015

Commercial Space Stations in LEO: Preparing for the Future

Scenarios on what the future of multiple commercial and government space stations on orbit may look like, and what economic, policy, and regulatory challenges need to be overcome along the way were discussed by experts from civil society, industry, and the U.S government during a luncheon panel co-hosted by SWF and the Alliance for Space Development (ASD) at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.

September 15-18, 2015

SWF Contributes to Discussions of SSA Policy and Cooperation at 2015 AMOS Conference

For the fourth consecutive year, SWF was a significant contributor to the 2015 AMOS Conference, actively participating in the Policy Forum that was held at the beginning of each day of the conference. This year, the Policy Forum featured a keynote speaker followed by a panel discussion on a policy topic related to Space Situational Awareness (SSA). The panel, "SSA for Enhancing Norms of Behavior and Resillience" was moderated by SWF Washington Office Director Victoria Samson, and featured Mr. John Hill, Principal Director For Space Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Mr. Eric Desautels from the U.S. Department of State, and Mr. Andrew D'Uva from Providence Access. SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden also moderated a panel discussion on "SSA Challenges and Opportunities from the Growing Private Sector Presence in Space," featuring Mr. Michael Lindsay from OneWeb, Mr. Stewart Bain from NorStar Space Data, Professor Craig Smith from Electro-Optical Space Systems, and Mr. Paul Welsh from Analytical Graphics, Inc.

September 18, 2015

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden Publishes Brief on U.S.-China Relationship in Space

As part of a 24-month joint project between the National Bureau for Asian Research (NBR), the Institute for China-US People-to-People Exchange, and the Institute of International and Strategic Studies, both at Peking University, the project brings together a study team of U.S. and Chinese scholars in the strategic domains of space, cyber, maritime, and nuclear to produce pragmatic recommendations for U.S. and Chinese policymakers in order to strengthen the most important bilateral relationship in the Asia-Pacific. In the brief, Mr. Weeden argues that the United States and China have an opportunity to use the space domain to help create a stronger overall relationship between the two countries. To read the full article, please click here.

September 30, 2015

SWF Welcomes New Washington, DC Administrative Assistant 

We are pleased to announce a new member of the SWF staff, Ms. Alexandra Pilgrim. Providing key support to the DC office, Ms. Pilgrim will apply her extensive experience working in the non-profit sector, while concurrently pursuing her master's degree in industrial psychology and organizational development at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in DC.