Secure World Foundation Blog

Secure World Foundation Seeks Qualified Applicant for Deputy Director

2010-02-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Secure World Foundation seeks to hire a Deputy Director to help manage a national and international initiative aimed at helping to develop sustainable space governance. The Deputy Director will report to the Executive Director and will support strategic planning and oversee operations. To see the job announcement, click here.

Summary of Space Security Index 2009 Event at Canadian Embassy

2010-01-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

On Jan. 21, 2010, Secure World Foundation (SWF), the Space Security Index (SSI) and the Embassy of Canada hosted an event titled "Space Security Index 2009: The Status and Future Trends in Space Security".

Cesar Jaramillo of Project Ploughshares, Clay Mowry of Arianespace, Dr. Peter Hayes of SAIC (currently working with the National Security Space Office), and Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com presented at the event, which was held at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. Photos courtesy of Bob Wolf.

Mr. Jaramillo (left) introduced the event by describing what the SSI is and how it is developed. The SSI is a comprehensive and integrated assessment of space security, and is published annually by Project Ploughshares with partners, including the SWF. Its objective is to facilitate dialogue on space security by providing an objective set of data combined with trend analysis by experts in the field. More details on SSI can be found here. You can listen to Jaramillo's presentation here (please allow several minutes for the file to download).

Mr. Mowry (right) discussed the commercial sector in the context of space security, specifically addressing the health of the satellite manufacturing and services industries and the launch industry that feeds upon them. He pointed out that these industries seem immune to the current global economic crisis, though he did mention that recent cancellation of a key U.S. military communication satellite program, continued strict application of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and a reemergence of artificially low Chinese launch prices will have negative impacts on the space industry. Mowry did conclude his remarks on a hopeful note by highlighting that legislative efforts to reform ITAR are under way and the Obama Administration’s highly anticipated national space policy is expected later in the year. You can listen to Mowry's presentation here (please allow several minutes for the file to download).

"The year of reviewing U.S. space activities” was the theme of Ms. Smith’s presentation. Smith (left) explained that the U.S. government is currently reviewing its future in outer space, and as part of this review, will eventually create a new National Space Policy that will replace the one established by President George W. Bush in 2006. She posited that a lack of indigenous capability to send humans into space following the retirement of the Space Shuttle may impact U.S. credibility as a major space power, but that this is more of a “wait and see” scenario. You can listen to Smith's presentation here (please allow several minutes for the file to download).

Finally, Dr. Hays (right) took time to praise work being done to address the growing problem of orbital debris, specifically highlighting the work of Nicholas Johnson, who heads the NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office, and that which is being conducted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He described these efforts as being among the first to provide useful solutions to the problem. His talk concluded with a discussion of the country's space policy efforts introduced earlier by Smith.

From left to right: Ben Baseley-Walker (SWF Legal and Policy Advisor), Mowry, Smith, Hays, Jaramillo, and Victoria Samson (SWF Washington Office Director).

Asteroid Threats to Earth: Experts Chart Steps for Global Warning Network

2010-01-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

A group of international experts has outlined steps to establish a global detection and warning network to deal with possible asteroid threats to Earth.

An interdisciplinary group, including asteroid tracking specialists, space scientists, former astronauts, United Nations authorities, as well as disaster management, risk psychology and warning communication experts gathered to take part in a workshop held January 18-20 in Mexico City.

The workshop was organized by Secure World Foundation in coordination with the Association of Space Explorers and the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC). The meeting was hosted by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This workshop provided a major step forward in our thinking about the needed components of an information, analysis, and warning network for asteroids. The workshop findings should go a long way toward providing the basis for such a network,” said Dr. Ray A. Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

Substantial progress
“The report of this workshop will be a very useful input for the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) as it continues with its three-year work plan on drafting international procedures for handling the threat posed by the possible impact to Earth by an asteroid,” said Dr. Sergio Camacho, Secretary General of CRECTEALC. He is a former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, a post that he held from 2002 to 2007.

“The Association of Space Explorers (ASE), representing the international corps of astronauts and cosmonauts, recognized the substantial progress made at the Mexico City workshop,” said Tom Jones, former NASA shuttle astronaut and current Chair of the ASE Committee on Near-Earth Objects.

“The discussions in Mexico City advanced our understanding of how the global community can better communicate detection and warning information about near-Earth objects (NEOs),” Jones said. “The information-sharing effort is an essential first step in dealing with the global hazard posed by asteroids and comets. The ASE looks forward to spreading the results of the recent workshop and urges future work within the U.N. and by the world’s space agencies to develop the capacity to deflect a NEO headed for Earth, a fundamental mission for our space technology.”

Series of scenarios
Meeting participants worked through a series of scenarios - hypothetical situations designed to highlight the challenges and problems that a future Information Analysis and Warning Network (IAWN) providing global warning and technical analysis would encounter in dealing with an Earth-threatening asteroid.

“For the first time an international group of experts, many who would be the ones doing the actual analysis of an asteroid impact threat, came together to work through the challenges which will be faced by the international community in deciding how to respond to such an event,” said Apollo astronaut, Russell Schweickart, former chair of the ASE-NEO Committee.

“The participants grappled with scenarios ranging from a small impact, where evacuation of the impact zone is the most likely response, up to a large asteroid, where only an immediate decision to initiate a deflection campaign would prevent the disaster,” Schweickart said. “The recommendations from this exercise will be integrated into the work of UN COPUOS where the nations of the world are discussing how to prevent these devastating, though infrequent, events.”

United Nations Action Team-14
IAWN is one of three entities being considered to deal with the NEO impact problem, which were outlined by an Association of Space Explorers report -- Asteroid Threats: A Call for Global Response -- issued in 2008.

That ASE report was sent to the United Nations Action Team-14, a group within the UN COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee established in 2001 for the purposes of addressing the asteroid impact threat.

Along with IAWN, the Association of Space Explorers report also recommended setting up:

-- A Mission Planning and Operations Group (MPOG) to plan, organize, and conduct any necessary missions to threatening asteroids.

-- A Mission Authorization and Oversight Group (MAOG) to provide decision making.

Attendees of the just-held Mexico City gathering specifically focused on IAWN, although future meetings are intended to discuss the other two entities.

Need for a coordinated, global response

The IAWN workshop was held as a next step to build on the conclusions of the ASE report after a recommendation by Action Team-14 at their meeting in June 2009.

The recommendations from the just-held Mexico City workshop will be briefed at the meeting of UN COPOUS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee next month and submitted to Action Team-14 for consideration.

“We are fully aware that there is a lot of resistance to creating new bureaucracies and massive new institutions,” said SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden. “So the objective of the workshop and future discussion is not to create a new United Nations function or entity, but to try and use existing capabilities already being provided by States or institutions and adding other necessary capability. There needs to be a coordinated, global response to asteroid threats, and we are working to find the most efficient and effective way of doing just that,” he said.

SWF Working to Build Global Warning Network for Asteroid Impacts

2010-01-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Secure World Foundation, in coordination with the Association for Space Explorers (ASE), held a successful workshop in Mexico City from 18 to 20 January, 2010, on the topic of providing global warning and prediction of potential asteroid impact threats.

The workshop was organized on the recommendation of Action Team-14, a group established in within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee in 2001 for the purposes of addressing the asteroid impact threat.

In 2008, ASE submitted a report entitled "Asteroid Threats: A Call for Global Response" to Action Team-14 which was the result of two years of work and consultation with international experts. This ASE report recommended establishing three entities to deal with the NEO impact problem: an Information Analysis and Warning Network (IAWN) to provide global warning and technical analysis, a Mission Planning and Operations Group (MPOG) to plan, organize, and conduct any necessary missions to threatening asteroids, and a Mission Authorization and Oversight Group (MAOG) to provide decision making.

The Mexico City workshop brought together a group of international experts to specifically discuss the mission, responsibility, and creation of the IAWN entity. The workshop resulted in a set of recommendations which will be briefed at the meeting of UN COPOUS: Scientific and Technical Subcommittee in February 2010 and submitted to Action Team-14 for consideration.

Briefing: Outer Space Security - Status of and Future Trends

2010-01-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

Trends, developments and an assessment of the status of space security is the focus of a special briefing on Thursday, January 21st at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

The event is being held by the Secure World Foundation, the Space Security Index and the Embassy of Canada.

Attendees will be welcomed with introductory remarks by Graham Gibbs, Canadian Space Agency/Embassy of Canada and Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation.

The briefing -- “Space Security Index 2009” – will be presented by Cesar Jaramillo, Program Manager for Project Ploughshares (Canada).

The update is to be followed by panel remarks and discussion on the status of and future trends in space security by leading experts:

Richard DalBello, Vice President of Legal and Governmental Affairs
Intelsat General

Dr. Peter Hays, Senior Scientist, SAIC
National Security Space Office

Marcia Smith, Founder and Editor
SPACEPOLICYONLINE.Com

When: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time: 10 AM to Noon
Where: Embassy of Canada, Canada Room, 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

To attend, please reply to:
Tiffany Chow
Email: tchow@swfound.org
Phone: (202) 462-1842

Note: If you will be able to attend, be advised that no parking is available. Please bring Photo Identification.

Background:

The Space Security Index
The Space Security Index is the first and only annual, comprehensive, and integrated assessment of space security. The project seeks to ascertain trends and developments in space security based on primary, open source research. It also includes an annual assessment of the status of space security based on a consultative process that engages a broad range of stakeholders.

The Space Security Index is a research partnership between several academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations that together make up the consortium: Spacesecurity.org

Partners of the consortium include the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University, the Secure World Foundation, Project Ploughshares, the Simons Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Research at the University of British Columbia, and the Space Generation Foundation, in cooperation with the International Security Research and Outreach Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

SWF to co-host "Space Security Index 2009: The Status and Future Trends in Space Security"

2010-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 21, Secure World Foundation, the Space Security Index and the Embassy of Canada are hosting a presentation entitled "Space Security Index 2009: The Status and Future Trends in Space Security" at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. Cesar Jaramillo of Project Ploughshares, Richard DalBello of Intelsat, Dr. Peter Hayes of the National Security Space Office, and Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com will be presenting. Details can be found here.

The Space Security Index (SSI) is a comprehensive and integrated assessment of space security published annually by Project Ploughshares and partners like Secure World Foundation. The SSI is "based on eight indicators of space security and provides background information and in-depth analysis on key trends and developments in the space field." Its objective is to facilitate dialogue on space security by providing an objective set of data combined with trend analysis by experts in the field.

Africa Establishes New Space Partnerships

2009-12-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

The use of space-based technologies can help achieve sustainable development in Africa, a capacity recently bolstered in that continent by creation of two regional space partnerships.

The third African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development was held on December 7-9 in Algiers.

The conference was hosted by the Algerian Space Agency with the support of the United Nations Committee on The Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

An outcome of the gathering was the signing of two regional space partnerships:

-- To support African efforts in disaster management by means of space-based technologies, the Algerian Space Agency and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) signed a cooperation agreement to establish a regional support office for the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, a program created under the recommendations of COPUOS and implemented by UNOOSA.

-- The Governments of Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa signed an agreement on African Resources Management Satellite Constellation, a regional initiative that aims to develop a network of satellites to make space technology more accessible to end-users in areas such as food security, environmental monitoring, land use, water management and public health.

Platform of cooperation
The meeting and attendant partnerships underscored the fact that space tools have been vital in mitigating the loss of lives and property in times of disaster.

Furthermore, using space-based instruments is essential to formulating a strategy and necessary plans of action that can assist Africa to improve its socio-economic development.

Ambassador Ciro Arévalo-Yepes, Chairman of COPUOS, told conference participants that “the construction of a platform of cooperation between African States is the best way to identify common elements for future regional space policy.” Multilateral mechanisms and initiatives exist, he said, to support Member States in implementing the use of space tools and solutions.

An all-African satellite constellation was saluted by the Algerian Minister for Post and Information Technologies and Communication, Hamid Bessalah, as “great cooperation” between the four countries, which “will facilitate space data for African countries”.

Ideal Forum
Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation (SWF), said the conference provided an ideal forum to sensitize African leaders on the importance of science and space technology for the sustainable socio-economic development of Africa.

“The two agreements signed at this conference are extremely important not only to the growth of the space effort in Africa, but also to the development of African scientific and technological capacity,” SWF’s Williamson said. “It is a significant step forward.”

Organized every two years, the African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development allows key decision makers and professionals active in the field of space to discuss various questions inherent to the sustainable development of the African continent. Participation of African countries to recognize mutually beneficial projects is a specific objective of the gathering of experts.

Reducing Orbital Debris – A Call for Global Leadership and Cooperation

2009-12-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

The threat from orbital debris is a growing international concern. Finding the steps that can be taken to help reduce this menacing problem has brought together leading experts from around the world.

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have organized the first ever international conference devoted solely to the subject of orbital debris removal. The NASA/DARPA meeting was held this week, December 8-10, in Chantilly, Virginia.

Taking part in this seminal gathering is Brian Weeden, Secure World Foundation’s Technical Advisor, providing an authoritative look at the policy issues of active debris removal and the opportunity for leadership and cooperation.

Not just a technical problem
“Orbital debris is a global problem that poses a threat to the use of space by all States. Actively removing orbital debris is part of solving this problem, but it is by its nature a global solution that requires international cooperation and transparency,” Weeden said.

As invited speaker to the three-day international conference, Weeden has noted that orbital debris removal is not just a technical problem. “The economic costs of removing objects need to be compared to the risk they pose to active spacecraft, and there are large legal and political issues to tackle as well,” he advised.

Weeden observed that recent studies and research by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have indicated that removing a handful of objects per year could be enough to stabilize the growth of orbital debris.

“The next step in active debris removal is to figure out which objects should be initially targeted and how best to remove them,” Weeden said. However, an essential aspect to begin moving forward on active debris removal, he said, is doing so within a multidisciplinary and international context.

Highlighted within Weeden’s presentation -- Active Debris Removal: An Opportunity for Leadership and Cooperation – he noted:

-- There needs to be general international agreement and transparency on the technical merits of removing from Earth orbit space objects in general.

-- An important element of active space debris removal is general international agreement and transparency on which objects are selected for elimination.

-- Lack of consensus or buy-in could lead to perception that objects are being selected for removal because of political motivation.

Steps ahead
“A particular point of discussion among the conference attendees has been the economic mechanisms that could provide free market incentives for debris removal,” Weeden said.

One concept discussed was that of a “deposit” paid on satellites when they are launched, akin to the deposit on cans and bottles. “If a satellite owner-operator or third party then removed the satellite from orbit, it gets the deposit back,” Weeden added. Other notions involving economics included a view of expanding the role of the insurance industry.

At the NASA/DARPA meeting, Weeden explained that a key step forward is bringing together legal and technical experts to start discussing the problem of legal definitions and sovereignty. “Tackling the issue of who owns which piece and potentially transferring that ownership is essential,” he stated.

For the full briefing given by Weeden -- Active Debris Removal: An Opportunity for Leadership and Cooperation – go here.

NASA, DARPA Host Space Junk Wake-Up Call

2009-12-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

By Leonard David (courtesy Space News)

Outer space has become Earth's largest junkyard.

It is an international dumping ground for derelict spacecraft, wreckage from colliding satellites, remains from mischievous anti-satellite testing, spent rocket stages, discarded lens caps and clamp bands, paint chips and, yes, at one point, even a lost-to-space tool bag.

All that riff-raff might be out of sight, but it is far from being out of mind. This week, experts from around the world are attending a wake-up call type of meeting.

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have teamed up to take a hard look at the issues and challenges of de-cluttering space of human-made orbital debris. The result: A first-of-its-kind International Conference on Orbital Debris Removal is being held today through Dec. 10 in Chantilly, Va.

Wanted: innovative solutions
Understanding the space debris problem is one thing. Hammering out viable operational concepts to eliminate the rubbish is another. Then toss in legal and economic issues, as well as incentives. And for good measure add to the brew international policy and cooperation requirements.

For many years NASA has considered means to "remediate" the near-Earth space environment, that is, removing human-made flotsam from Earth orbit – at both low and high altitudes, said Nicholas Johnson, chief scientist of NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

"We have also evaluated the feasibility of numerous concepts proposed by other U.S. government organizations, the aerospace industry, academia, and the general public," Johnson told SPACE.com. "To date, none of the techniques examined have proven entirely practical due to technical and/or economic reasons."

Johnson said that, earlier this year NASA and DARPA – which is renowned for its innovative solutions to exceptionally difficult problems – agreed to host this week's international conference devoted solely to the subject of orbital debris removal.

More than 50 presentations from the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and Japan will be offered to address not only the technical and economic challenges, but also the legal and policy issues associated with orbital debris removal.

To promote the reliable operation of space systems in the near term, the removal of small orbital debris is of principal interest.

"To preserve the near-Earth space environment for the farther term, the removal of large debris...derelict spacecraft and launch vehicle stages, is required," Johnson observed. "Consequently, a variety of orbital debris removal techniques will likely be necessary to handle the entire spectrum of orbital debris sizes at all altitudes."

Tragedy of the commons
Indeed, over the years various schemes have been aired to deal with the untidiness of orbital debris, be it huge aerogel-laden puff balls to snare debris, various types of galloping gotcha tethers, even vacuum cleaner-type contraptions.

"This is a tragedy of the commons kind of thing," said Jerome Pearson, President of Star Technology and Research, Inc. in Mount Pleasant, S.C. "No one country is responsible for cleaning up space."

Pearson is a strong advocate for a roving space vehicle based on his work to fashion a propellant-less electrodynamic thruster system. This ElectroDynamic Debris Eliminator (EDDE) vehicle, he said, is the only viable method known for the plucking from space of large debris.

EDDE would be maneuverable, flying from place to place in low Earth orbit. This concept is reusable with each vehicle capable of removing many targets by simple debris capture, utilizing lightweight nets or a grappler.

Pearson, however, flags a knotty issue.

"You can't just go up there and move somebody's stuff without permission," Pearson said. "Anything that can go up and grab a piece of debris and bring it down...well, it can also grab somebody's operational satellite and bring it down. That's a space weapon," he cautioned.

What's needed is some kind of international agreement, Pearson said. "There's a lot to be done there. I think it may be more political...more diplomatic than technical," he added.

Umbrella of technologies
One proposal to be aired at the conference is a revisit of Project Orion – an idea that received a NASA technical look in the 1990s.

The scheme uses rapid-fire laser pulses to blow off a micro-thin surface layer of targeted debris. That tiny bit of blow-off acts as a miniature rocket motor. It's enough oomph to tease the object's perigee – low point of its orbit – to where the Earth's atmospheric drag takes hold of the object, reentering the refuse to a fiery finale.

The concept of orbital debris removal via laser – whether by ground-based equipment, an airborne facility, or a space-based system – has greatly advanced over the years, said Jonathan Campbell, a physicist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Campbell said that one of the principle findings from the earlier Project Orion appraisal that he managed was that ground-based laser removal was feasible and affordable in the context of spaceflight budgets. At a cost of only a couple of thousand dollars per object removed, this remains true, he added.

Thanks to the continued progress in laser and associated sensor technologies, Campbell's view is that the ground-based laser approach should be even more effective and affordable than in the 1990's.

Campbell said that, while all technologies have their niche as partial solutions to the orbital debris problem, there's a sizeable load of lethal objects in low Earth orbit. That being the case, he said, only laser technologies offer any hope of removing hundreds of thousands of objects economically in a reasonable timeframe.

"There are some 300,000 objects larger than one centimeter...and they are all moving at hyper-velocity. The only way to address this huge population is with laser technology," Campbell noted. "Orbital debris removal is a complex problem, one that will require an umbrella of technologies to do a complete solution," he stated.

Tough conundrum
At this week's meeting, space law specialist, James Dunstan, along with Bob Werb of the Space Frontier Foundation are set to call for an Orbital Debris Removal and Recycling Fund.

It's the belief of Werb and Dunstan that the current legal regime creates perverse economic incentives that are greatly aggravating the problem of orbital debris. The quickest and surest path to resolving the problem, they contend, is to establish a legal and economic environment that places a high price on anyone generating new debris while simultaneously creating adequate rewards for anyone who mitigates debris.

"From the predictions I've seen of how the space debris population will grow in the coming years, it looks like the space community will need to take active measures soon to clean up at least some of the existing debris, or the problem could get away from us," said Robert Hoyt, leader of Tethers Unlimited, Inc. of Bothell, Wash.

Hoyt is bringing to the DARPA/NASA event his notion tagged "RUSTLER", short for Round Up Space Trash Low Earth orbit Remediation. It too makes use of a propellant-less electrodynamic tether, he said, along with two other unconventional technologies to enable safe and cost-effective removal of defunct satellites, spent upper stages, and other debris from orbit.

"The question has always been who is going to pay to clean up the mess? Nobody really wants to get stuck with that bill," Hoyt said. How you distribute the cost fairly among the many nations and commercial entities that utilize space is a tough conundrum to address, he admitted.

"It's the communities that agree to share the cost of keeping their cities and environment clean that are able to prosper," Hoyt suggested. "The international space community is going to have to come to that same sort of agreement if it is going to prosper in the long term."

Paradigm shift
An upshot of this week's confab of gab by experts is bound to be what next?

For one, there's likely to be a multiple-choice of technologies that appear worth further study. Actual in-space testing of debris removal ideas also seems to be in the cards. Also, what space debris targets are good candidates?

All this means money.

"The conference is what I consider a paradigm shift. We're moving from defining the problem to looking for real solutions," said Campbell.

Given this paradigm shift, Campbell said he was hopeful of seeing increased funding in this area as time goes along. "There's a need to turn this trend around in the growth of space debris. It's going to take some time to do it. But we seem to be heading in the right direction now," he concluded.

SWF's Brian Weeden presents at DARPA orbital debris removal conference

2009-12-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Brian Weeden, Technical Advisor for Secure World Foundation, is presenting this week at the International Conference on Orbital Debris Removal, sponsored by NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The conference, being held in Chantilly, Virginia, features panel discussions on both policy and technical challenges and opportunities.

Weeden's presentation, entitled "An Opportunity for Leadership and Cooperation", focuses on the policy angle.

Agenda

Flyer

A press release containing details will be posted here within days.

Space Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future

2009-12-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

New space institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries have agreed to identify common elements in their space policies to facilitate international cooperation. In recognizing mutually beneficial aspects of using space, the collaboration would serve as the foundation for a future regional space policy.

This was the main outcome of a space policy workshop held in Mexico City last month, organized by the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC) and Secure World Foundation.

The workshop - Space Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future – brought together high-level space policy-makers from Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Mexico, The Netherlands, United States of America, and Venezuela.

Taking place November 3-5 in Mexico City, the workshop was held in cooperation with the National Institute for Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) and the General Directorate for the United Nations System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

Space system benefits
“This workshop was an eye opener for me,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

Williamson said that the smaller Latin American countries are very interested in getting into space for the benefits that space systems can provide, “both in development of high technology industry and in the use of space applications to improve people’s health, resource management, and education. The United States should support these interests.”

The workshop was organized at a unique point in time when there are several countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region with recently established national space agencies or commissions, or that are in the process of establishing one, said Dr. Sergio Camacho, Secretary General of CRECTEALC. The Centre is affiliated with the United Nations and has a Campus in Brazil and one in Mexico.

Camacho is the former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, a post that he held from 2002 to 2007.

“For any country, particularly for one with an incipient space program, participating in international cooperation activities is a way of developing space capability at a faster pace than by acting alone. Such participation is facilitated when its national space legislation is aligned with the international outer space treaties. Furthermore, cooperation is facilitated when countries have compatible space policies and goals,” Camacho said.

Action items
Among proposals detailed at the workshop, a central proposition is to develop capability in space policy and space law in the region, building on the initiatives of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and CRECTEALC. To the extent feasible, these capabilities would be developed in cooperation with national and international institutions, including non-governmental institutions, with expertise in the subject area.

“The three-day workshop was very successful, yielding a number of action items in order not to lose the momentum,” said Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, Space Policy Consultant for Secure World Foundation (SWF) based at the Foundation’s office in Vienna, Austria.

Lukaszczyk said that the gathering of policy leaders had a positive impact on developments in the Latin American regional space arena.

“One project that emerged from the workshop is creation of a database/map of Latin America space capabilities, to identify those involved, where and how these abilities can be used,” Lukaszczyk said. “This will help to avoid duplication and unnecessary spending on data already available and will foster regional cooperation in knowledge and resource sharing,” she said.

A draft report on the proceedings of the workshop, as well as recommended next steps, is being prepared by CRECTEALC. That draft report will seek comments by the co-sponsors of the activity and by the workshop participants. A final report will be further distributed to other countries in the region who will be invited to take part in areas of their specific interest.

Growth of Global Space Capabilities Highlighted in Congressional Testimony

2009-11-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

Newswise — The international space community is undergoing many significant changes. One of the important -- but often overlooked characteristics of the past decade -- is the rapid emergence of new actors in outer space.

Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation (SWF), testified today before the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics in Washington, D.C.

Today’s hearing is titled: “The Growth of Global Space Capabilities: What’s Happening and Why It Matters,” with SWF’s Williamson addressing the importance of emerging space States.

Rationales for entering the space realm
Since 1999, the number of States with space systems in orbit has increased from 27 to 37. Countries as diverse as Algeria, Iran, Nigeria, Venezuela, South Africa and Turkey have now become part of the so-called “space club.”

Eight States are now also capable of launching satellites into orbit. South Korea will likely soon make that a total of nine, Williamson explained. “Countries wish to enter the space realm for a variety of reasons,” he noted, “not least of which is the desire to gain prestige in the international community.”

Rationales include the following, Williamson said, the priority of which varies depending on the needs of the State:

-- Advance scientific and technical capacity

-- Improve the management and use of resources and provide better protection against the ravages of natural disasters.

-- Enhance access to education and health information throughout the country.

-- Improve national security.

-- Advance industrial capacity and the economy.

-- Prestige in the international community.

Orbital security
SWF’s Williamson urged that the United States assist emerging spacefaring countries to develop sound space policies and laws and to help them adhere to international best practices in space activities. He also suggested that the new spacefaring countries provide a powerful platform for using “soft power” – the use of U.S. technological and economic capabilities to influence policymakers in other countries.

Williamson added: "There is an overall need for the United States to develop an overarching space strategy that goes beyond any necessary revisions to U.S. space policy and includes both military, civil, and commercial components."

“Such a strategy would go a long way to clarify the direction of U.S. investments in space science, space applications, the human exploration of outer space, and the nature and scope of U.S. involvement in the international community,” Williamson said.

In the view of the Foundation, Williamson testified, “the United States can improve its own orbital security for commerce, science and national security and gain closer allies within the international community by engaging with the emerging space States."

Dr. Williamson's testimony can be downloaded here.

SWF's Dr. Ray Williamson to Provide Congressional Testimony

2009-11-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

From: Secure World Foundation
Subj: House hearing/Thursday, November 19th

Please be advised of a hearing by the Subcommittee on Space & Aeronautics will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009

Location
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
10:00AM - 12:00PM

LIVE webcast URL

Hearing: "The Growth of Global Space Capabilities: What’s Happening and Why It Matters" (testimony text from all panel participants will be posted after hearing)

Dr. Ray A. Williamson
Executive Director
Secure World Foundation

Mr. Marty Hauser
Vice President
Washington Operations
Research and Analysis
The Space Foundation

Mr. J.P. Stevens
Vice President
Space Systems
Aerospace Industries Association

Dr. Scott Pace
Director
Space Policy Institute
George Washington University

Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl
Director
European Space Policy Institute

Briefings from CRECTEALC released

2009-11-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

A meeting, entitled Space Policy in Latin-America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future, was held earlier this month at Centro Regional de Enseñanza de Ciencia y Tecnología del Espacio para América Latina y el Caribe (CRECTEALC) to discuss the future of cooperative space programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Secure World Foundation was instrumental in organizing the meeting with CRECTEALC, including development of the agenda and management of the meeting itself.

Below are some of the briefings delivered during the gathering:

"Hacia una Política Espacial de la ONU," CRECTEALC

"Space Policy Essentials: The Need for Consistent Elements and Clear Goals," Dr. Ray Williamson (SWF Executive Director)

"Space Security: The Basis for Responsible Use of Space," Dr. John Logsdon (The George Washington University)

"The International Law of Outer Space and Consequences at the National Level," Dr. Hans von der Dunk (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

"Regional Cooperation in Asia/Pacific Region," Dr. Kazuto Suzuki (Hokkaido University)

"National Space Legislation and the Outer Space Treaties," Dr. Ken Hodgkins (Office of Science and Technology Policy)

USSTRATCOM Commander, General Kevin Chilton, calls for better SSA

2009-11-03T07:00:00.001-08:00

General Kevin Chilton, USSTRATCOM Commander, was featured speaker this morning at the Strategic Space Symposium being held in Omaha, Nebraska. SWF Communications Director Phil Smith and SWF Washington Office Director Victoria Samson are in attendance.

Chilton provided what he called his wish list for USSTRATCOM, using the recent Iridium-Cosmos collision as the wake up call enabling support from higher echelons for this wish list.

First on the list is better space situational awareness (SSA) - a commander needs this question asked first in any scenario: "What is the situation?" The military needs more sensors around the globe, especially in the southern hemisphere, and via international cooperation. It also needs to make sure that the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) assets continue to be used for SSA into the future as missile defense evolves. In addition, an effort is needed to make sure data from SSA sensors are better collected and analyzed. This means more effective resources, including manpower. Current assets used for SSA are obsolete and inefficient. Finally, the intelligence community (IC) needs to collect data about space powers much more effectively, and not highlight capabilities after the fact.

Second, the military needs to replace its "gap management" approach to procurement and acquisitions. To much emphasis is placed on efficiencies and not mission assurance. Put another way, Chilton prefers the situation as it was in 1999, when launches supporting constellations were not an "all or nothing" mission. Today, there exists considerable waste when it comes to space asset programs and budgets, and the loss of a launch represents a major blow to capabilities. Better responsive space operations and general procurement policy is required.

Third, Chilton calls for better modeling and simulation for joint, global exercises. Excellent work is being done using these type of tools for lower echelons (training, regional exercises, etc.), but not at the top levels.

Summarizing his wish list at the end, he concluded his remarks with a paraphrased quote from General Patton: "Never tell someone how to do something, but rather what to do. They will always surprise you with their ingenuity."

SWF Technical Advisor presents at IAC 2009 on subject of international civil SSA

2009-10-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Brian Weeden, Technical Advisor for Secure World Foundation, presented on the need for an international civil space situational awareness system (ICSSA) during the 60th International Astronautical Congress in Daejeong, South Korea last week. His presentation, "Analysis of the Technical Feasibility of Building an International Civil Space Situational Awareness System," included discussion on what space situational awareness is, the technical hurdles involved in setting up a civil SSA system, mitigation strategies and next steps.

You can see his presentation here and read the paper here.

Experts Detail Need for Sustainable Outer Space Environment - Key for Future Global Space Activities

2009-10-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

How best to cope with the rising tide of orbital space debris? What international rules of behavior are required for safe operations in space? Can there be a sustainable space environment for world-wide space activities?

These and other issues are to be addressed in a special panel discussion on “Achieving a Sustainable Space Environment for Future Space Activities.”

This constructive dialogue is being held as a plenary event at this week’s 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – a seminal meeting being held in Daejeon - the science city of South Korea and an event that has attracted more than 3,000 participants from 72 countries.

South Korea has become a player on the international space scene relatively recently. It set up its own space agency in 1980 and defined its first space plan in 1996. Thanks to cooperation with the world’s leading spacefaring nations, it is now able to build satellites almost autonomously.

International rules of behavior
The plenary panel discussion in Daejeon is being held on October 16 and will fully examine the progress being made to assure a sustainable space environment.

Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation (SWF), chair of the special panel noted:

“This is the first time that the International Astronautical Congress has mounted a plenary session on the subject of maintaining the long term sustainability of space activities. It is a recognition that the world needs to come together to develop appropriate international legal instruments to guide space activities for the future.”

Williamson added that “the world urgently needs to pay attention to the impact of the increasing orbital debris population on space activities and to improve the prospects for establishing international rules of behavior for space operations.”

SWF’s Williamson said that the group of experts will examine the prospects for cooperative, international space situational awareness as a contribution to achieving a sustainable space environment for space activities.

Williamson underscored the valuable contributions of his fellow panel discussants:

-- Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Honorable Member of the Planning Commission of the Government of India will speak on cooperative approaches to the long term sustainability of space activities.

-- Nicholas Johnson, Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris, NASA Johnson Space Center is to detail debris and spacecraft in Earth orbit.

-- Dr. Sergio Camacho, Director General of CRECTEALC, the Regional Center for the Teaching of Science and Technology of Space in Latin America and the Caribbean. He will speak to space sustainability and emerging space actors.

-- Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, Director, European Space Policy Institute, is to address the steps toward a long-term stability in outer space.

New Report Examines Space Security Issues

2009-10-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

A newly issued study provides a comprehensive source of data and analysis on space activities and their cumulative impact on the security of outer space.

Space Security 2009 has been jointly released by Project Ploughshares and Secure World Foundation on behalf of the Space Security Index, an international research consortium. This is the sixth annual report on trends and developments in space, covering the period January to December 2008.

Among a roster of findings, Space Security 2009 finds that the number of actors with access to space, including dual-use applications -- those with potential civilian and military uses -- has continued to grow in the past year. By 2008, nine actors had demonstrated independent orbital launch capacity and 49 states had launched civil satellites, either independently or in collaboration with others.

The report notes that the deployment of military space systems, which continues to be led by the United States and Russia, has increased in other countries around the world as well. At the end of 2008 there were over 150 operational dedicated military satellites worldwide, with the U.S. operating approximately 76, and some 36 spacecraft operated by Russia.

Invaluable resource
“The Space Security Index has proven to be an invaluable resource for our discussions of space security and the long term sustainability of outer space in numerous forums. It is a unique source of information about civil, military, and commercial space activities. We're proud to be part of this work because it makes a difference,” says Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

Space Security 2009 flags the evolving space-faring states, underscoring the indigenous space programs of Iran and North Korea. Iran attempted three rocket launches in 2008 in preparation for its first satellite launch, and North Korea continued to clandestinely pursue indigenous space launch capabilities.

Despite conflicting accounts about the success of Iran’s rocket launches, the report points to concerns that Iran’s civilian space launch program may be a cover for its long-range ballistic missile program, which would use similar technology.

Likewise, North Korea’s space program, historically shrouded in secrecy, appears to be moving forward. Commercial satellite imagery revealed in 2008 a previously unknown launch facility on North Korea’s west coast, signaling that it has continued to pursue a ballistic missile and space launch program.

Global space agenda
Cesar Jaramillo is the Program Manager for the annually updated Space Security Index based at Project Ploughshares in Waterloo, Ontario.

“The Space Security Index provides a wealth of factual information about key developments in outer space that can guide the work of researchers and policymakers alike,” says Jaramillo. “While the study itself is policy-neutral, the underlying premise that informs its preparation is that space should be preserved peacefully for all humanity, as called for in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.”

While the potential for military applications in space raises concern "the issue of how best to secure sustainable access to and use of space has risen to the top of the global space policy agenda," explains Dr. John Logsdon, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Relations at The George Washington University. He serves on the Advisory Board of Project Ploughshares and is on the Advisory Committee for Secure World Foundation.

SWF's Victoria Samson pens article on future of U.S. space policy

2009-10-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Victoria Samson, SWF Washington Office Director, wrote an article on the future of U.S. space policy called "Making a Mark in Space: An Analysis of Obama’s Options For a New U.S. Space Policy". Samson looks at the change of U.S. administrations that creates the opportunity for a broad assessment of the country’s space policy, starting with some basic questions.

What should the goal of national space policies be? Are they trying to ensure freedom of action for certain states and not others? Does the definition of “freedom of action” need to be updated to reflect the increasing number of space actors? Should the focus be on establishing future cooperative efforts in space, or is space being preserved just for its own sake?

SWF’s Agnieszka Lukaszczyk Selected as Judge for Space Technology Hall of Fame

2009-09-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Space Foundation’s 2010 Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductees are to be chosen by an expert panel of judges that includes Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, space policy consultant for Secure World Foundation.

The 2010 judges were selected for their diverse and wide-reaching perspectives on space and technology.

Joining Lukaszczyk in the judging includes a senior NASA advisor, space policy experts, executives of major aerospace companies, the superintendent of one of Colorado’s largest school districts, a famed aerospace journalist, and a senior member of Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space.

The judges select inductees based on economic benefit, public awareness, societal benefit, longevity, and public/private/partnership investment.

The 2009 inductees were a life-saving food supplement derived from algae and space shuttle-based aerodynamic vehicle design that has revolutionized large trucks.

Award ceremonies for the 2010 inductees and honorees will be part of the 26th National Space Symposium, which will be held at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 12-15, 2010.

Conducted by the Space Foundation, the symposium is the premier annual gathering of the global space community.

Additional information about the Space Technology Hall of Fame, including a complete list of inducted technologies, is available at:

www.SpaceTechHallofFame.org

-- LD/SWF

SWF Attends Colorado Space Coalition Meeting

2009-09-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

SWF Communication Director Phil Smith attended a meeting of the Colorado Space Coalition in Denver, Colorado on September 11. Among the topics discussed were conclusions of a survey conducted to highlight aerospace research relationships in the state by Dr. Ron Sega, an update on ITAR by attorney Rachel Yates (who is also a SWF Advisory Committee member), and inputs from industry members like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Ball Aerospace. Special guests included representatives from the Canadian Consulate, Congressman Doug Lamborn's office and Senator Michael Bennet's office. The meetings are chaired by Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien.

Dr. Sega explained results of the Aerospace Research Collaboratory (ARC) Questionnaire, which was filled out by fifteen respondees. The objective of the questionnaire was to identify where relationships exist between industry and research centers, how these relationships can be improved or enhanced, and which research areas require more attention. The findings indicated that these relationships are quite robust, and serve as a strong foundation for additional growth in the future, particularly in terms of "green" research. Areas related to this field include aerospace fuels and cleaner manufacturing techniques.

Following Dr. Sega's remarks was an industry update, including some detailed input from Ball Aerospace, ITT, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. In short, the industry appears to be going along well in Colorado, and seems insulated from the overall economic downturn. Ball did mention that its Colorado workforce has been substantially reduced in recent years.

Rachel Yates provided an update on the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), a sore subject for many in the industry. Yates pointed out that ITAR reform seems more likely now than during the previous White House administration. Discussions between the Department of State (which maintains the munitions list, which includes commercial satellite technology, under the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls) and the Department of Commerce (generally believed to be a better fit for ITAR in terms of commercial satellite technology) are taking place, particularly in terms of the paperwork associated with the ITAR application process. Transfer of commercial satellite technology ITAR assessments to the Department of Commerce, should it happen, would not include China. Several bills are being considered by Congress designed to address ITAR reform, with some removing satellites from the munitions list entirely. Finally, a federal government report on the impact of ITAR to the industry is expected in February 2011.

Welcome to SWF's Vienna office

2009-09-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

Agnieszka Lukaszczyk (left), SWF Space Policy Consultant and Ariane Cornell, Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council, stand in front of the logos of their respective organizations. Each has an office in a building shared with the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna, Austria.

SWF's Brian Weeden presents at Washington press luncheon "Satellite Laser Blinding"

2009-08-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden and Dr. Yousaf Butt of the Union of Concerned Scientists were the featured speakers at a press luncheon on "Satellite Laser Blinding" held on 27 August at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC. Yousaf spoke about his recent article in the journal "Science and Global Security" in which he discussed the possibility that the 2006 reports of China "dazzling" US intelligence satellites was actually the result of satellite laser ranging (SLR).

The more than 40 SLR sites world-wide are used primarily to produce very accurate positions of satellites for their owners. Other peaceful, legitimate reasons for firing lasers into space, including laser communications research and adaptive telescope optics, and their potential to harm satellites were also discussed.

Brian focused his remarks on the existing United States regulations for lasers fired into space, including the Lasing Clearing House (LCH). Operated by US Strategic Command as part of the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB in California, the LCH is responsible for screening all US Department of Defense lasers being fired into space and ensuring that they do not endanger any active satellites. Brian also talked about some aspects of intentional law on this issue, and the in expanding the LCH function internationally.

Dr. Suzanne Metlay, SWF Operations Director, to discuss meteorites on local Denver television program

2009-08-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Dr. Suzanne Metlay, SWF Operations Director, will be featured on Denver's NBC Channel 9 (KUSA-TV) today at 4:45 PM MDT. Host Steve Spangler will be discussing meteorites.

Check out the interview here. Look for the title "Spangler Science: A meteorite hit my house". You can also get more details at Spangler's blog here.

SWF's Brian Weeden participates in Asia and Space Security Workshop

2009-08-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden took part in a one-day workshop on Asia and Space Security. The fourth in a series, the workshop was organized by the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies (part of the United States Air Force Academy) and held in Vancouver, Canada on 13 August.

The event brought together a community of scholars and experts from several Pacific Basin countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, China, and Japan, to participate in a one-day roundtable discussion. Topics ranged from economics and political goals for the use of space, space situational awareness, deterrence and defense concepts, and arms control and verification.