Secure World Foundation Newsletter

November 2017

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Events

Oct 30, 2017
SWF Contributes to GEO Week 2017
In its role as a participating organization of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), SWF had an active presence in the GEO-XIV Plenary and side events held in Washington, DC October 23-26. Participating in the week-long side events, planning meetings, and plenary, SWF engaged with representatives from the international GEO community, including new members and participating organizations, data providers and users. SWF presented the Handbook for New Actors in Space to the GEO members for the first time. 

On October 24, 2017, SWF, with co-sponsors CREAF, the Wilson Center, and South Big Data Innovation Hub, held a side event entitled “The Role of Citizen Observatories and Crowdsourcing Community in GEOSS.” The event featured lightning talks on citizen science programs and observatories and brought together a panel of international government and industry experts to share their thoughts on best practices, and standards for utilizing citizen science for GEOSS. SWF was also pleased to host a reception on October 23 for the GEO Week 2017 attendees involved in AmeriGEOSS. 

Nov 2, 2017
SWF Panel Event Discusses Space Debris Removal on Capitol Hill
SWF held a luncheon panel discussion on Capitol Hill that brought together technical, legal, and policy experts to discuss the case for active debris removal (ADR), and the steps Congress can take to help incentivize the development of ADR technologies and capabilities. The event opened with remarks by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, who discussed the Subcommittee's interest in promoting commercial innovation in space and dealing with the problem of space debris. This event was widely attended by Congressional staff and the local space-policy community. More information and event materials, including an audio recording and a transcript in the coming weeks, are available on the event page

Staff Activities and Presentations

Oct 6, 2017
Public-Private Partnerships Discussed at U.S. GEO Week Pre-Event
Project Manager Krystal Wilson moderated an invite-only discussion, entitled "A Dialogue on Public Private Partnerships in U.S. Earth Observations." Held in Washington, DC at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, this event was organized by the sponsors of GEO Week 2017. The intent of this event was to foster a renewed, invigorated dialogue between senior agency officials from the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) and senior representatives from the diverse industries working across the Earth observations life cycle.

Oct 17, 2017
Sustainability Initiatives in Commercial Space Discussed at ISPCS
Project Manager Ian Christensen moderated a discussion, entitled "Virtuous Cycle: The Ecosystem from Earth to Space and Back" during the 13th Annual International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight, which was held in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The discussion focused on how societal benefit and sustainability initiatives within commercial space businesses contribute to overall business objectives and growth in the space industry.

Oct 17, 2017
SWF Participates in Third MILAMOS Workshop on International Law and Military Activities in Space
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden participated in the third workshop to develop a Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Use of Outer Space. The workshop was hosted by the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and brought together more than 50 international legal experts, technical experts, and researchers to continue drafting rules on international law and military uses of space. Dr. Weeden participated as a technical expert advising the group focused on international law and use of force.

Oct 17, 2017
"Under Stress: Space Security in 2017" 
Washington Office Director Victoria Samson was invited by Project Ploughshares to give a presentation on stressors to the stability of the space domain at Space Security Index 2017 event held at the United Nations in New York City. Her presentation is available here.

Oct 19, 2017
SWF Discusses Space Debris and Space Situational Awareness Challenges with Satellite Industry
Dr. Weeden participated in two panel discussions on space sustainability at the 6th Annual Space and Satellite Regulatory Colloquium in Tysons, Virginia. The two-day event was organized by the Reed Smith law firm and the ManSat Corporation, and focused on legal, regulatory, and financial issues in the space industry. Dr. Weeden moderated a panel discussion on space situational awareness and space traffic management, and participated in a panel discussion on space debris and space sustainability. 

Oct 25, 2017
Space Tech Expo
Ms. Samson spoke on cybersecurity risks in the space domain at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany. Her presentation is available here.

Experts in the Media

Oct 5, 2017
Pence Pledges that the U.S. will go to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden quoted by the Associated Press on budget aspects of a renewed human spaceflight program.

Oct 8, 2017
BRICS Summit: Members Strengthen Space Cooperation
Washington Office Director Victoria Samson interviewed about space cooperation among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa by CGTN.

Publications

Oct 31, 2017
New Research on U.S. Space Policy, Space Debris, and Prospects for Active Debris Removal
SWF Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden has published a new research article in The Space Review summarizing the history of US space policy on dealing with space debris, and the prospects for active debris removal (ADR). The article updates and revises a paper Dr. Weeden originally presented at the 2016 International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, with additional analysis and more recent events. 

Announcement

Nov 1, 2017
Group on Earth Observations Programme Board Selects SWF Project Manager Krystal Wilson for 2018-2020 Term
At the 2017 Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Plenary in Washington, DC the GEO Secretariat completed the annual nomination and election of delegates to the Programme Board. The Programme Board comprises persons nominated by GEO Members and Participating Organizations to oversee the establishment of the multi-year GEO Work Programmes while working to align proposed activities with GEO priorities and committed resources. Ms. Wilson, who leads projects under SWF’s Human and Environmental Security focus area, has been involved in GEO since joining Secure World Foundation last year.