Secure World Foundation Newsletter

July 2018

Announcements

Jun 29, 2018
Job Posting: SWF Washington, DC Office Seeking Intern
SWF is looking for a motivated candidate to support a research project on citizen science and Earth observations. Deadline for applications is July 20, but earlier submission is encouraged. Start date is negotiable but ideally would be in late August or early September 2018.

Events

Jun 5, 2018
CSIS and SWF Discuss Counterspace Threats
In a joint event with experts from CSIS, Washington Office Director Victoria Samson and Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden discussed the threats to satellites that exist across the world. This event was a follow-on from the April release of SWF's Global Counterspace Capabilities report and CSIS' Space Threat Assessment 2018. More information and a video recording are available on the SWF event page.

Jun 7, 2018
SWF Co-Hosts Earth Observation Data Panel Discussion
In partnership with the Society of Satellite Professionals International's Mid-Atlantic chapter and Planet, SWF sponsored a panel discussion on Earth observation data and decision making. Descartes Labs discussed their use of satellite data for better crop yield predictions, Planet highlighted their photo catalogs that update daily, and Radiant Earth provided an overview of their strategy to positively impact the developing world with satellite data. More information is available on the SWF event page here.

Jun 11, 2018
SWF Panel Addresses Space Traffic Management Issues
SWF convened a panel of experts to discuss the challenges of space situational awareness and space traffic management as the U.S. Congress and the Administration take action on these issues. Held on Capitol Hill and in partnership with the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, this luncheon event also featured an address by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX). More information is available on the SWF event page here. 

Jun 19, 2018
SWF Holds Successful Workshop in Bengaluru On Space Situational Awareness
SWF partnered with the National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) to hold a 2-day workshop in Bengaluru, India to discuss trends in space situational awareness (SSA) and the implications for India. The workshop brought together more than 70 interdisciplinary experts from India, Japan, Europe, and the United States to discuss trends in governmental and private sector SSA capabilities, program, and data sharing initiatives, and the strategic implications for India. More details, including the agenda, can be found on the event page.

Staff Activities and Presentations

Jun 12, 2018 
Building Blocks for Space Resources Legal Framework Discussed
Director of Private Sector Programs Ian Christensen gave a presentation entitled "Space Resources: International Legal Frameworks" at the 9th joint meeting of The Space Resources Roundtable and the Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO. Mr. Christensen's presentation focused on the draft building blocks for the development of an international framework on space resource activities that have been suggested by the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group. The Working Group is actively seeking comment, via an online questionnaire, through October 15, 2018.

Jun 18, 2018
SWF Contributes to the Group on Earth Observation Activities
Director of Space Applications Programs Krystal Wilson represented SWF at the second GEO Programme Board meeting of 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. She also participated in a workshop on the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2018 GEO Symposium, a forum for interested participants to contribute to the future of the GEO Work Programme, share knowledge, and connect with others from the global GEO community.

Jun 21, 2018
Chris Johnson Lectures on New Actors in Space at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson lectured on new actors in space and emerging issues in space governance at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) in Geneva, Switzerland. The GCSP’s "Future of Outer Space Security" is an annual short course for the Geneva diplomatic community.

Jun 27, 2018
Policy Tipping Points Discussed at the 2018 NewSpace Conference
Mr. Christensen spoke as a panelist on the "Tipping Points in Space Policy" panel at the 2018 NewSpace Conference in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Christensen's remarks focused on the ways commercial space development are related to space policy and the regulatory changes being made in several countries. 

Experts in the Media

Jun 14, 2018
Woman says Neil Armstrong gave her moon dust. She's suing NASA to keep it
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson quoted by NBCNews on ownership of space resources. 

Jun 18, 2018
Trump directs DOD to establish a Space Force in a surprise announcement today
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden quoted by The Verge on Trump's announcement of a new Space Force.

Jun 18, 2018
As mega-constellations loom, US seeks to manage space debris problem
Dr. Weeden quoted by ArsTechnica on the new U.S. space traffic management policy.

Jun 19, 2018
Trump's Space Force could be one giant leap into a tricky situation
Mr. Johnson spoke about issues related to establishing a separate Space Force with Popular Science.

Jun 19, 2018
Trump’s space council orders a traffic control system for objects in space
Dr. Weeden quoted by The Verge on the new U.S. space traffic management policy.

Jun 26, 2018
Ian Christensen discusses US military ambitions in space
Ian Christensen interviewed by China Global Television Network America’s Global Business Show on U.S. Space Force proposal and global space development.