Secure World Foundation Announces Dr. Brian Weeden's Transition to New Role at Aerospace

Friday, April 5, 2024

Today, the Secure World Foundation (SWF)  announces a bittersweet farewell to Dr. Brian Weeden, a pivotal figure who has shaped our organization into one of the leading voices for space sustainability. At the end of April, Dr. Weeden will embark on a new chapter in his career, joining  Aerospace's Center for Space Policy and Strategy to lead their policy and regulatory team. 

Dr. Weeden has played a leading role in many of the activities of the Secure World Foundation. Well-respected for his research and analysis, Dr. Weeden's insights have been featured in prestigious scholarly publications as well as leading newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post. His trusted voice has resonated globally, influencing space policy through contributions to the United Nations and testimonies before the U.S. Congress. As one of the editors of SWF’s Global Counterspace Capabilities Report, alongside Victoria Samson, Dr. Weeden has championed the importance of accurate open-source information on counterspace capabilities to inform debates on space security. Dr. Weeden has also helped lead SWF’s efforts to enhance global collaboration and sharing of space situational awareness data and make progress on space traffic management.

Beyond his published research and contributions to subjects about the space sector, Dr. Weeden's expertise also supported the founding and maturation of  CONFERS, The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations, from a DARPA program to a self-sustaining industry association that has fostered the development of industry-led standards and a regulatory framework for commercial satellites servicing that in turn promote a sustainable space economy. 

Dr. Weeden shared, “It has been an absolute privilege to work with the amazing team at SWF in advancing space sustainability. I am extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and I think SWF is well-placed to continue and expand their amazing work.”

Commenting on Dr Weeden’s transition to Aerospace, SWF Executive Director Dr. Peter Martinez said, “Dr. Weeden's leadership and unwavering commitment were instrumental in advancing SWF's core mission.  His 15 years of dedication and exceptional leadership at Secure World Foundation have left an indelible mark on our organization. The path he has paved will continue to guide our efforts and inspire future generations of space sustainability advocates. We are profoundly grateful to Brian for his years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to SWF’s vision of preserving outer space as a safe, secure, and sustainable operating environment for the betterment of humanity.  We wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter of his career at Aerospace.”