SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER The Secure World Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2, 2008 - Inaugural Edition www.secureworldfoundation.org The Secure World is a biweekly online publication focused on space governance. To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter go to, http://secureworldfoundation.org/newsletter/ or send email to newsletter@secureworldfoundation.org and in the body of the email write "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" and include your email address or contact us via phone, email or mail. _______________________________________ THE SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION - WHO ARE WE? ABOUT US The Secure World Foundation envisions a global space commons that is free from threat and available for the benefit of all humanity. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting steps that strengthen global security and lead to an international law-based system with reliable enforcement. These steps include confidence building and the development of cooperative norms, regulations, and rules of conduct. Focus will be placed on the following: Effective international management of orbital debris, development of an international space traffic management system, promoting international cooperative space surveillance, prevention of an arms race in space, cooperative ventures for monitoring and improving Earth’s environment, and international cooperation on Earth impact avoidance from Near Earth Objects (NEOs). THE PROBLEM No regime has been developed for outer space that ensures protection of space systems in orbit. Dangers include hostile actions from State or non-State actors, increasing orbital debris, and accidental spacecraft collisions. To protect space assets, governments are forced to create costly protective measures. Some are induced to devote precious military resources to destructive counter-measures, unleashing a potential arms race in space. THE OPPORTUNITY In the past, during the exploring and pioneering phases of migration, people had little need for governance. Groups made their own way on a path of discovery. As more people followed, they realized that it was inefficient and chaotic for each to create their own protection. They established the rule of law, appointed law enforcement officers, and created an institutional structure for effective governance and enforcement. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sputnik and venture into a new realm, humanity has a unique opportunity to develop lawbased systems for the secure and sustainable use of space. Humanity is interconnected by technology and communication capabilities and can plan new systems. The stage is set to design and implement new governance infrastructures providing a secure future for space and a more secure future for humanity. _______________________________________ WHAT’S NEW? SPACE NEWS BRIEFS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Our SWF website has several new additions this month, from use of satellite imagery to gauge human rights abuses to new worries over the weaponization of space, and the latest assessments of China’s growing space prowess. REMOTE SENSING: For example, check out how space-based remote sensing is being used to fortify complaints of human rights abuses in Burma. Go to: http://secureworldfoundation.org/mainc.php?ax=05&ay=07 U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS: A major new look at U.S.–China relations has been issued by a Commission of the U.S. Congress. The report flags a set of space security concerns, making a number of recommendations sure to fuel debate in various quarters. Go to: http://secureworldfoundation.org/mainc.php?ax=05&ay=03 SPACE WEAPONIZATION: Our Sound Off editorial section features the views of former U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Robert Grey, Jr. He offers insight into space weaponization, with his thoughts found here: http://secureworldfoundation.org/mainc.php?ax=02&ay=06 CHINA’S SPACE STRATEGY: Last, take a look at several new items focused on China’s space strategy written by two experts that see troubled waters in terms of emerging U.S.-China military competition. Go to: http://secureworldfoundation.org/mainc.php?ax=03&ay=03 _______________________________________ VOICES "We are not going to be able to operate our Spaceship Earth successfully nor for much longer unless we see it as a whole spaceship and our fate as common. It has to be everybody or nobody." - Buckminster Fuller _______________________________________ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER Welcome message from Dr. Ray Williamson I welcome you to the Secure World Foundation newsletter. Our intention through our newsletter is to provide timely and updated information regarding the productive utilization of the global space commons. In addition, we call your attention to our ever-growing Secure World Foundation (SWF) website, a rich resource that focuses on a suite of objectives at: http://secureworldfoundation.org The Foundation is dedicated to steps that strengthen global security, key goals that lead to an international law-based system with reliable enforcement. To this end, SWF is devoted to attaining and maintaining a sustainable space environment through: - Effective international management of orbital debris - Development of an international space traffic management system - Promoting international cooperative space surveillance - Prevention of an arms race in space - Cooperative ventures for monitoring and improving Earth’s environment - International cooperation on Earth impact avoidance from Near Earth Objects For those readers not familiar with the Secure World Foundation, we invite you to examine our website and become a regular reader of our newsletter. I would especially like to call attention to our SWF Position Paper: “Space Debris Mitigation and Security in Space”. It highlights the dangerous increase of orbital debris and the growing threat to the security of orbital space systems upon which the world now relies for commerce, military security, and well-being. In order to curb the potential loss of crucial space services, the global community must take more positive steps than it has in the past to reduce the growth of orbital debris. In the months to come, SWF will be releasing other position papers that address the Foundation’s core concerns. Additionally, please take note on our website of progress to develop a voluntary code of conduct for space-faring nations. This code of conduct would seek to provide “rules of the road” to prevent harmful interference with satellites that perform vital life-saving, economic, and military support functions. This proposed code is being championed by the Henry L. Stimson Center of Washington, D.C., combining contributions from experts from Non-Government Organizations in Canada, France, Japan, Russia and the United States. Again, we hope you find this newsletter and our website of utility in understanding and taking action concerning the establishment of enforceable, law-based global systems for space security. Sincerely, Ray Williamson, Executive Director Secure World Foundation _______________________________________ EDITORIAL STAFF Leonard David - Writer and Editor Barbara David - Assistant Editor Tom Meyer - Distribution and Webmaster Ray Williamson - Foundation Executive Director Phil Smith - Assistant Director for Research and Plans Cynda Collins Arsenault - Foundation Chairman of the Board Cynda Collins Arsenault - Foundation President Sarah Hartzell - Office Manager Sam Moyer - Intern _______________________________________ Secure World Foundation Tel: 303-554-1560 Fax: 303-554-1562 Email: info@swfound.org www.secureworldfoundation.org To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter go to, http://secureworldfoundation.org/newsletter/ or send email to newsletter@secureworldfoundation.org and in the body of the email write "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" and include your email address or contact us via phone, email or mail. Next Issue: One-Year Anniversary of Chinese ASAT Test Secure World Foundation - Promoting Cooperative Solutions for Space Security