Secure World Foundation Blog

SWF participates in workshop: "Towards a National Space Strategy"

2010-04-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

Secure World Foundation partnered with Astroconsulting International, the George Washington University's Space Policy Institute (SPI) and the National Space Studies Center (NSSC) to produce "Towards a National Space Strategy." Dr. Eligar Sadeh served as Principle Investigator and Editor with support from cooperating investigators Dr. Ray Willaimson (SWF), Brian Weeden (SWF), Victoria Samson (SWF), Scott Pace (SPI), John Sheldon (NSSC) and Tom Jones (NSSC). Read the executive summary here, or download the full report here.

New Book Evaluates Sustainable Use of Outer Space

2010-04-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

A forthcoming publication provides a fresh comprehensive evaluation on how to achieve the sustainable use of space by means of respecting fairness and responsibility.

The Fair and Responsible Use of Space - An International Perspective is to be released as the fourth volume in the series “Studies in Space Policy” edited by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) and published by SpringerWienNewYork.
“We hope that this book will be a highly useful resource in the current efforts to find appropriate mechanisms for the fair and responsible use of outer space,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

Also contributing to the book, Ben Baseley-Walker, SWF’s Legal and Policy Advisor and Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, Space Policy Consultant for the Secure World Foundation.
Chapters of the book draw upon the contributions of renowned experts that took part in a November 2008 conference on the same topic, convened in Vienna, and jointly organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), Secure World Foundation (SWF) and ESPI, which served as conference coordinator and host.

The mission of ESPI is to provide decision-makers with an independent view and analysis on mid- to long term issues relevant to the use of space.

The book is co-edited by ESPI’s Wolfgang Rathgeber and Kai-Uwe Schrogl, and Ray Williamson of Secure World Foundation.

Commons of Earth Orbit“Space and its applications have become crucial for modern societies and the day to day lives of most of the world’s population,” said Professor Kai-Uwe Schrogl, Director of the European Space Policy Institute.

“Accordingly, access to, and the use of, space capabilities has to be within reach of both developed and developing countries. Likewise, the utilization of space by the current generation should not endanger the ability of future generations to benefit from it as well. These goals can only be achieved if space is explored and used in a fair and responsible manner,” Schrogl noted.

In his contribution, “Fairness and Responsibility in Space Activities,” SWF’s Williamson explains: “Clearly, the era of treating orbital space as a realm in which there are few rules beyond the stringent laws of physics is over. The question for spacefaring States is now what sort of rules are needed and how they should bind States to make sure that activities in outer space are conducted in a fair, responsible and sustainable manner.”

Williamson concludes that initiatives by the international community need to be pursued with vigor, “lest the commons of Earth orbit become an impassable junk yard and a testament to humanity’s inability to work sustainably in Earth orbit.”

For more information on the forthcoming book, The Fair and Responsible Use of Space - An International Perspective, please go here.

Defending Planet Earth: Special Publication Details Asteroid, Comet Threat

2010-03-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

A partnership between Secure World Foundation and The Planetary Society has created a special publication devoted to “Defending Our World” – an impressive look at the threat to Earth from asteroids and comets.

This special issue of The Planetary Report has been produced by The Planetary Society and focuses on planetary defense, containing key articles, such as:

-- Protecting the Earth: Whose Job Is It?
-- To Move an Asteroid
-- Turning Cosmic Disaster Into Opportunity
-- We Make It Happen! Doing Our Part to Protect Earth

Phil Smith, Communications Director for the Secure World Foundation (SWF) explained: "Potentially hazardous asteroids are obviously threats we need to address. But they also present opportunities for innovations in policy and engineering. This issue of The Planetary Report highlights the nature of these asteroids, how we might be able to prevent them from impacting Earth, and how we might, in fact, use those objects that do not present an immediate threat."

As stated by Charlene Anderson, editor of The Planetary Report, “They have the potential to destroy civilization, and they whiz past our planet with alarming regularity. Sometimes we see them coming, and sometimes we don’t. They are generically known as near-Earth objects (NEOs), commonly called asteroids and comets, and they pose a natural threat greater than any faced by our species in history. Fortunately for us, it’s a threat we can do something about.”

To access this special issue on NEOs and planetary defense, go here.

FY 2011 National Security Space Budget Proposal Analysis Released

2010-03-23T12:50:00.001-07:00

SWF Washington Office Director Victoria Samson and Samuel Black of The Stimson Center have co-authored a brief analysis of national security space programs proposed in the FY 2011 defense budget.

For the most part, all projects are listed in the analysis are funded through the U.S. Air Force’s Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) projects included in the analysis are supported by RDT&E funding.

The budget contained several notable items and trends. The budget requests for space situation awareness improvement programs add up to almost $900 million, an increase of roughly 70 percent from the estimated FY 10 budget of $530 million. Meanwhile, budgets for Counterspace and Space Control programs are projected to fall by roughly 50 percent each between FY 2010 and FY 2015. MDA spending on space will also fall over the next several years if the Space Based Infrared System, a constellation of early warning satellites, winds down successfully.

To read the full analysis, download the document here.

Announcement: The Maxim Tarasenko/Secure World Foundation Prize

2010-03-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Space Policy is pleased to announce its 2010 student essay competition, with a prize of ₤500. The Maxim Tarasenko/Secure World Foundation Prize commemorates the pioneering work of the journal’s late board member, Maxim Tarasenko, and is supported by Secure World Foundation, a private operating foundation dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples, and by the journal’s publisher, Elsevier. The competition is open to all law school students and graduate students of space policy for a publishable article on a topic of current debate. The winning entry will be published in Space Policy.

Rules
1. The competition is open to all currently enrolled law school students and graduate students of space policy who have not previously published in the journal.
2. The topic may be freely chosen but should be of relevance to contemporary space activities. It must be original; while it may be based on research or study already conducted, it should not have been submitted as part of any exam, assessment or other competition. It should be typewritten in English and should be between 10 and 20 pages (or 2,500 and 5,000 words).
3. Essays should be submitted by 31 December 2010 to Fancis Brown, Editor, Space Policy. Where possible they should be submitted electronically (in Word) to fbrown.seabank@virgin.net. Students without access to the internet may post their essays (including a disk version) to Seabank, Turnberry Road, Maidens, Ayrshire KA26 9NN, Scotland.
4. The judges will be the Editor of Space Policy and two others, drawn from Secure World Foundation and the journal’s editorial board. Although only one prize will be awarded, the Editor may offer publication to other entries submitted. Submitting to this competition does not guarantee publication in Space Policy or any other Elsevier journal, however.
5. The judges’ decision will be final.

The Award
In addition to publication in the journal, the winner will receive ₤500, a certificate and one year’s online subscription to Space Policy.

New Asteroid Threat Reports Highlight Legal and Institutional Issues

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

In a presentation at the United Nations, Secure World Foundation (SWF) released the findings of a group of international experts that outlines needed steps and concerns in establishing a global detection and warning network to deal with possible Near Earth Object (NEO) threats to Earth. Image courtesy SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. and Phil Smith.

An additional report, sponsored by SWF, has been issued by the space law department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, examining the legal and institutional issues linked to potential future threats posed by NEOs.

The findings presented to the UN were the result of a workshop organized earlier this year 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 in Mexico City.

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

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

Participants in the workshop considered 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.

The workshop findings were briefed last month in Vienna by Secure World Foundation at the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and submitted to Action Team-14 for their consideration.

The United Nations Action Team-14 is a group within the UN COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee established in 2001 for the purposes of addressing the asteroid impact threat.

Future threats
The report prepared by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is titled -- Legal Aspects of NEO Threat Response and Related Institutional Issues -- raises several issues regarding potential future NEOs threats.

The report makes note of three central conclusions:

-- Developments in space science and space technology have made it possible to predict with some accuracy (and sometimes decades in advance) whether a NEO may present a serious threat.

-- Developments have also made it possible in many cases to undertake successful efforts to minimize the chance of actual collision with the Earth.

-- An international framework for dealing with such issues is conspicuously missing, which may lead to unnecessary risks of NEO threats resulting in potentially catastrophic damage.

The legal and institutional report advises that there is need for more comprehensive and in‐depth analysis of the key legal and institutional issues involved in future international NEO threat mitigation, “preferably prior to the first occasion of an actual serious NEO threat arising.”

For access to the full report, Legal Aspects of NEO Threat Response and Related Institutional Issues, and to access the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, a Draft Report of the Working Group on Near-Earth Objects, go here.

In related resources available from Secure World Foundation regarding Near Earth Objects, several fact sheets are also available:

-- Near Earth Objects

-- Protecting Earth from Near Earth Objects

SWF Hosts Discussion on Enhancing Space Security

2010-03-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

From left to right: Victoria Samson, Dr. Bruce MacDonald, Dr. Laurence Nardon, Dr. Ray Williamson, and Ben Baseley-Walker. (Photo courtesy Bob Wolf).

On February 23, 2010, Secure World Foundation hosted an event titled “Enhancing Space Security: Expert Recommendations.” Dr. Laurence Nardon of IFRI (Institut français des relations internationals), Dr. Bruce MacDonald of the United States Institute of Peace, and Dr. Ray Williamson of Secure World Foundation presented their thoughts on how space security could best be strengthened. Read a summary of the event here.

The event was arranged by SWF's Washington office. Victoria Samson, SWF Washington Office Director, and Ben Baseley-Walker, SWF Legal and Policy Advisor produced the event.

SWF President Interviewed on The Space Show

2010-03-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

Cynda Collins Arsenault, President and co-founder of Secure World Foundation, was interviewed on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston on March 1, 2010. Listen to the interview here. Secure World Foundation partners with The Space Show to provide interviews of key players in commercial, civil and military space.

Why the U.S. Needs to Reach Out in Space

2010-02-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

Secure World Foundation's Victoria Samson (Washington Office Director) and Ben Baseley-Walker (Legal and Policy Advisor) authored an opinion piece in the February 15, 2010 edition of Space News. They argue that the U.S. should reach out to emerging space States in an effort to address space sustainability in a coordinated fashion. According to the authors, U.S. space policy must "reflect the fact that outer space is an arena with distinct international challenges." They point out that if "the United States wants to ensure that its activities in such a theater can continue unimpeded, it must include other countries in order to succeed."

Read the entire piece here.

SWF to host Washington, DC Event February 23

2010-02-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Secure World Foundation will be hosting a panel discussion on Tuesday, February 23 in Washington, DC entitled “Enhancing Space Security: Expert Recommendations." Presenters include Dr. Ray Williamson (SWF Executive Director), Laurence Nardon (Senior Research Fellow, Institut Francais des Relations Internationales) and Bruce MacDonald (Deputy Director, Nonproliferation and Arms Control Project at the U.S. Institute of Peace). Download the invitation here.

Workshop Lays Foundation for U.S. National Space Strategy

2010-02-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

A specially-convened workshop of experts has initiated a dialogue on how to begin developing a strategy for United States activities in outer space.

Since the dawn of the Space Age, the United States has maintained a fairly consistent national space policy, one that has outlined the goals of the American presence in and use of space. However, while this policy has been updated consistently by many Presidential Administrations over the decades, there has never been a clearly defined strategy of how the United States would achieve these goals and coordinate the efforts of all the various entities in the United States which play a role in space.

The Secure World Foundation (SWF), in partnership with the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, the U.S. Air Force’s National Space Studies Center, and Astroconsulting International held a workshop in Washington, D.C. on February 4-5 to discuss developing such a strategy.

The just-concluded workshop brought together over 50 experts from the U.S. military, NASA, government, and academia to discusses different aspects of what would comprise a U.S. National Space Strategy. The goal of the project is to produce a series of academic papers that lay the intellectual foundations for a National Space Strategy.

Timely workshop
“There have been multiple ‘blue ribbon panels’ that have recommended a national space strategy,” said Brian Weeden, SWF’s Technical Advisor, “but up until now there has not been a concerted effort to move beyond recommendations and actually tackle developing such a strategy.”

Victoria Samson, SWF Washington Office Director, added: “Given that the U.S. government is still working through the Obama Administration’s national space policy and trying to complete the Space Posture Review, this workshop was very timely.”

The two-day workshop addressed an array of topics, including:

-- Theoretical approaches to developing strategy;
-- Political challenges of formulation and implementation of strategy;
-- Crosscutting issues in civil, commercial and security space;
-- Space launch capabilities, as well as space program development and spacepower;
-- Economics and space commerce;
-- Earth observations;
-- Protection of space assets and space deterrence; and
-- Space governance and international cooperation.

Each topic featured one to two authors, multiple reviewers, and a group discussion. There was also a section focused on international space strategies, with international speakers examining the space policies and strategies of Russia, China, Europe, Japan, India and Israel.

Areas of common concern
A consistent theme that emerged from the workshop was that creating a single overarching strategy for United States space activities is very difficult and is not plausible given the current dynamics of the political environment.

“Instead, the initial focus should be on finding a few key areas of common concern that overlap all of the different space sectors and actors,” said Eligar Sadeh, President of Astroconsulting International and the principal investigator.

Those common areas, Sadeh said, include launch capability and assured access to space; developing and maintaining a scientific, technical and industrial base; space governance for the long term sustainability and freedom of use of Earth orbit; and the use of space for national, international, human and environmental security on Earth.

The results and output from the gathering of space policy experts will be detailed in a workshop summary as well as a series of academic and professional papers that will be published this fall in a special issue of the peer reviewed journal Astropolitics - The International Journal of Space Politics and Policy.

Secure World Foundation Seeks Qualified Deputy Director

2010-02-07T17:57:00.001-08:00

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.

SWF's Technical Advisor Brian Weeden quoted in ECOWorldly

2009-08-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Brian Weeden, Technical Advisor for Secure World Foundation, was quoted in an ECOWorldly.com article entitled "4 Million Pounds of Space Junk Polluting Earth’s Orbit," written by Timothy Hurst.

In the article, which focuses on the growing problem of orbital debris, Weeden points out that while issues of mitigation and removal of debris have been studied for decades, the legal and policy aspects related to the problem are fairly recent.

Read the article here.

Budget Analysis Details U.S. Space Security Programs

2009-08-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

A budget analysis has been completed which examines a range of Department of Defense (DoD) space security programs outlined in its Fiscal Year 2010 budget request.

The review focuses on a suite of DoD space-related efforts, including high energy laser research, space control technology, and operationally responsive space, as well as microsatellite and rendezvous technology, missile defense and space situational awareness.

As highlighted in the analysis, the only funding apparent for a dedicated, unclassified anti-satellite capability is that which provides a temporary and reversible means of disrupting satellite operations.

The budget analysis -- titled Space Security Programs of Interest in the FY 2010 Department of Defense Budget Proposal -- was developed by Victoria Samson, the Washington, D.C. Office Director for Secure World Foundation (SWF) and Samuel Black, a Research Associate at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.

Enhancing U.S. capabilities
This year’s DoD budget request for FY2010 contains funding for many programs that affect space security and sustainability, explained SWF’s Samson.

“These programs received our attention because they are designed to enhance U.S. capabilities to monitor the space environment and ensure that its space assets can continue to function as planned,” Samson said.

Samson said that there are no overt, unclassified space weapons programs. “Instead, there is a heavy emphasis on improving space situational awareness and space control...both offensive and defensive,” she added.

New Report Spotlights Near Earth Objects

2009-08-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out for a new report on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to be issued August 12 by the prestigious National Research Council (NRC).

A blue-ribbon panel of experts has been engaged in a major look at the NEO threat.

The NRC study to be issued will be an interim report on Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies

This interim report will contain only findings and no recommendations, according to SWF sources. It's the intention of the NRC committee looking into this matter to issue its final report by the end of the year.

For SWF-related information on the NEO threat, go to this website's section on Near Earth Objects.

Also, check out these SWF-issued releases on NEOs:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/553636/

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546932/

By Leonard David, SWF Research Associate

SWF hosts ISU "Space and Security Theme Day"

2009-07-30T11:30:00.001-07:00

Secure World Foundation hosted a Space and Security Theme Day during this year's International Space University (ISU) Space Studies Program (SSP). The 9-week SSP is held annually and brings together over a hundred participants from dozens of countries to take place in an intense, multidisciplinary space program. This year's SSP is being held in the United States at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountainview, California. Pictured above are, from left to right: Dr. Ray Williamson (SWF), Scott Madry (ISU), Brian Weeden (SWF), Ben Baseley-Walker (SWF), Ariane Cornell (Space Generation Advisory Council), and Rudi Jehn (European Space Agency).

The Theme Day included speakers from SWF, the European Space Agency, the Space Generation Advisory Council, and ISU. The presentations talked about the many definitions of space security, the space environment challenges, using space for human and environmental security on Earth, space weapons, and current international space security initiatives. The Theme Day concluded with a panel discussion taking questions from the audience.

Call for Leadership in Global Space Activities

2009-07-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

This week, as the world salutes the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11’s mission that achieved the first human landing on the Moon, there is also need to reflect on the future of America’s civil space endeavor.

The Secure World Foundation is calling attention to several key findings in a newly issued report by the prestigious National Research Council: America’s Future in Space: Aligning the Civil Space Program with National Needs.

“This report recognizes the fundamental nature of outer space as a global commons that will take robust efforts in international cooperation to assure the sustainability of space activities over the long term,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

Williamson noted that the new report recognizes that “strategic leadership will be achieved not by dominance…but by example and in cooperation with other nations.”

“This recognition is an important step forward in true U.S. leadership in global space activities. Together, the nations of the world can make enormous progress in expanding our knowledge and use of the space environment. As this report emphasizes, we should find ways to work more effectively with others in those pursuits,” Williamson explained.

New opportunities for space-based endeavors
Phil Smith, SWF’s Communications Director, also points to several key items that are underscored in the new study.

“Beyond international cooperation on civil space programs, the report goes on to recommend that the President of the United States should find a way to streamline government space projects, find out where U.S. space policies come up short, and identify new opportunities for space-based endeavors,” Smith said.

Specific recommendations in the report include several that fall under what Secure World Foundation calls “space governance” - or the use of effective systems of governance to ensure sustainable activities in outer space.

Smith added that there is no reason to limit the recommendations to domestic policy alone; indeed, the nature of space activities generally means international cooperation and coordination is required.

“The report also highlights the need to integrate civil and national security space objectives according to one strategy, clearly a space governance pursuit that would have significant impact to international efforts,” Smith concluded.

Purposeful, strategic U.S. space program
The National Research Council assessment, issued by a blue-ribbon panel of experts under the chairmanship of Lester Lyles, U.S. Air Force (retired) and now consultant came to a central recommendation: The U.S. space program should align with broader U.S. national goals.

Indeed, bringing into line the nation’s space agenda with pressing issues – environmental, economic, and strategic – is a national imperative, and will continue to grow in importance, the report notes.

Coordination across federal agencies, combined with a competent technical work force, effective infrastructure, and investment in technology and innovation, the report observes, would lay the foundation for a purposeful, strategic U.S. space program that would serve national interests.

To read the full NRC report, America’s Future in Space: Aligning the Civil Space Program with National Needs, go here.

U.S. - India Agreements and Achievements

2009-07-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Separately, today, India and the United States signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement and associated side letters pertaining to the use of U.S.-licensed components on spacecraft launched from Indian facilities.

Practically, the agreement will facilitate the launch of U.S.-licensed spacecraft components and safeguard protected technologies and data of both countries. The side letters commit the United States and India to enter into consultations regarding the market for commercial space launch and satellite services.

For State Department URL, go to:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/july/126229.htm

-- Leonard David

SWF Teams with Space Foundation to Discuss Space Weapons in Washington

2009-07-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Secure World Foundation and the Space Foundation co-sponsored a highly successful panel in Washington, DC for Congressional staffers and aerospace industry leaders to discuss a variety of technical, policy, geo-political, and legal considerations regarding space weapons, including the need for "rules of the road" for space operators and for a solid verification mechanism for arms control agreements. SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden, pictured above on the right, was on the panel. Image: Space Foundation.

According to the Space Foundation's website, "The audience comprised primarily Congressional staff, representing the House and the Senate at both an office and a committee level. Other attendees included representatives from a number of major aerospace companies. Space Foundation Vice President - Washington Operations and Government Affairs Brendan Curry moderated a panel featuring: Weeden; Bruce MacDonald, senior director with the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States; and Eric Sterner, a fellow with the George C. Marshall Institute.

"The Numbers Game," by Brian Weeden

2009-07-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

Brian Weeden, SWF Technical Advisor, has written an article on satellite catalogs for The Space Review.

"Whenever the topic of space debris and satellites in orbit comes up a lot of numbers tend to get thrown around by a lot of different people, and it can be hard to keep all the figures straight. Compounding this is the superficial knowledge (at best) of the subject by many media commentators and the tradition of secrecy by the US military, the organization that has historically been the main keepers of the data on space debris.

This article attempts to shed some light on this subject and will define in detail exactly what stuff is in orbit, how we know what’s up there, and what a satellite catalog is, as well as highlight a few areas of concern with this entire process. In addition, it will make some suggestions for improving the situation in the near future. This is especially important because, as I learned from G.I. Joe growing up, “knowing is half the battle” and right now the world knows a lot less than half of what it should about the space environment."

Read the full article here.

SPOT 2 satellite to be de-orbited next month

2009-06-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Spot Image and Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES, the French civil space agency) have decided to de-orbit SPOT 2 after 19 years of operation. Beginning on July 1, Spot Image will stop sending programming to the satellite related to passage files, card files and related services. During the month of July, CNES will prepare the satellite for deactivation and de-orbiting. Photo courtesy Spot Image.

The de-orbiting procedure will follow guidelines developed by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), which were endorsed by the United Nations. These guidelines include the controlled de-orbiting of satellites that reach their end of life (EOL). Satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) are actually not de-orbited at EOL, but rather placed in a parking orbit, sometimes referred to as a graveyard orbit.

Policies related to the mitigation of orbital debris is a major component of work for Secure World Foundation and its partners.

Space Security Issues Tackled by International Experts

2009-06-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Significant steps forward are being made on a range of international security issues that impact civil, military and commercial users of space.

Secure World Foundation (SWF) proudly co-sponsored in June two major gatherings of global authorities, brought together to discuss a variety of key issues for the global utilization of space, from steps toward space traffic control, crafting a Code of Conduct for spacefaring nations to helping curb the development of space debris-producing anti-satellite weaponry.

SWF was a co-sponsor of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR’s) Space Security 2009: Moving Toward a Safer Space Environment, held June 15-16 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

“SWF was pleased to participate actively in this important conference and to assist in clarifying the crucial decisions the world faces in tackling the complex issues of limiting weapons in space,” explained Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF’s Executive Director.

“Compared to 2008, I encountered an entirely new and hopeful sense of optimism among the delegates of the Conference on Disarmament now that they have finally agreed on a program of work,” Williamson said.

"The UNIDIR conference was a significant contribution to thinking on space security," added SWF’s Legal and Policy Advisor, Ben Baseley-Walker. The event provided a forum that discussed space security issues in a new light, he added, deliberations that are relevant to the work of the Geneva disarmament community with emphasis on cross cutting issues that affect all space players: civil, military and commercial.

For further information on UNIDIR, go here.

Global Space Affairs
A second international workshop was titled Assessing the Current Dynamics of Space Security. SWF co-sponsored this workshop with the French Institute of International Relations - Institut Français des Relations Internationales or Ifri, held June 18-19 in Paris, France.

Ifri is France’s leading independent international relations center dedicated to policy-oriented research and analysis of global political affairs. Image courtesy of Marcel Dickow.

Experts met at the Paris workshop to assess current trends in international discussions on space security, including active discussion of the European Union’s Code of Conduct on Outer Space Activities, as well as discussion of implementing space traffic control measures and the kinetic anti-satellite test ban.

The gathering included representatives from France, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Russia, Germany, Colombia, India, the UK, as well as the United States, with sessions moderated by the Head of the Space Policy Program at Ifri, Laurence Nardon, SWF’s Ray Williamson and SWF’s Space Policy Consultant Agnieszka Lukaszczyk.

“The workshop was quite a success, not only due to its participants, but especially due to a dynamic and open minded discussion,” explained Lukaszczyk. “Space security issues tend to be sensitive and during regular conferences participants often have no liberty to openly share their thoughts. However, during this particular meeting, true brainstorming occurred which should produce a high quality report,” she added.

For details on Ifri and this event, please go here.

SWF hosts workshop on NORAD lessons for international space data sharing

2009-06-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

Today, Secure World Foundation, in cooperation with The George Washington University's Space Policy Institute, hosted a workshop that looked at lessons from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) applicable to international space data sharing. Attending the workshop were Victoria Samson, SWF Washington Office Director and Brian Weeden, SWF Technical Advisor.

The meeting discussed a draft academic report sponsored by SWF that examines the motivation for and formation and operation of NORAD as one example of an international space data sharing entity through historical document and a series of interviews with current and former NORAD personnel. From this research, the report focuses on lessons from the NORAD experience that are applicable to future space data sharing initiatives, such as international space situational awareness.

Feedback from the participants will be incorporated into the report when it is published, as well as into further areas for follow-on research, with the goal of helping inform the space community on possible solutions and methods for future international cooperation on SSA.

New Fact Sheet Details Asteroid Threat to Earth

2009-06-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

Secure World Foundation (SWF) has released a new fact sheet: Protecting Earth from Near Earth Objects.

Since the discovery of the Chicxulub crater and its likely association with a mass extinction event - some 65 million years ago - scientists have uncovered increasing evidence that celestial objects have a history of impacting the Earth and affecting its inhabitants.

Over the past decade a growing amount of research has begun to identify the types of objects that pose threats to Earth and potential mitigation strategies.

As a free service, SWF calls your attention to this new fact sheet that details:

- What are NEOs?
- Dealing with the threat
- Policy and legal issues

International policy challenges

SWF provides fact sheets covering issues related to space governance. These fact sheets are both technical in nature as well as policy-related, said Phil Smith, SWF Communications Director.

As detailed in the new SWF fact sheet, a particular type of NEO called a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) is the object of particular focus when it comes to a possible impact with the Earth.

“We have produced two fact sheets designed to help people understand what NEOs are, how they are categorized, and also highlight the international policy challenges associated with detecting, tracking and ultimately deflecting a hazardous-to-Earth NEO,” said Smith.

Secure World Foundation: Active Role in United Nations Deliberations on Peaceful Uses of Space

2009-06-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has ended its deliberations during its 52nd session which was held from June 3 to June 12 in Vienna, Austria.

This UN Committee is the primary international venue for debate and action on space governance.

As a Non-Governmental Organization, Secure World Foundation (SWF) has attained active Permanent Observer status within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Secure World Foundation’s Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) standing permits the organization to further its objectives dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.

“The COPUOS meeting helped Secure World Foundation to firm up its agenda for 2010 relating to Near Earth Objects, human security and space security. All of these items are high on the agenda of COPUOS,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF’s Executive Director.

Near Earth Objects – or NEOs – are asteroids or comets that have the potential to threaten Earth. Collisions with NEOs have occurred in the past and we should remain alert to the possibility of future close Earth approaches.

“SWF can especially contribute to the work of the COPUOS Action Team-14, which is concerned with crafting an appropriate institutional response to a potentially hazardous Near Earth Object,” Williamson said.

Climate and Space-based Observations
Williamson underscored the work carried out by the COPUOS participants during the nine-day gathering of world leaders.

In particular, the Committee agreed that due to the global nature of climate change, space-based observations, complemented with ground-based observations, were well-suited to monitor the different signs of climate change and factors which are contributing to those manifestations. Space-based observations could be also used in support of mitigation and adaptation measures linked to climate change.

During the meeting, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs signed cooperation agreements to establish the Regional Support Offices of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) with Iran, Nigeria, Romania, and the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre. The Regional Support Offices will serve as centers of expertise in the use of space technology in disaster management.

The Committee also took action on a Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Sources Applications in Outer Space.

Highlights of the 52nd session of the Committee included an address by Susan Helms, former U.S. astronaut and now Brigadier-General of the United States Strategic Command. In Helms’ statement to the Committee she noted how international cooperation between space-faring nations could lead to improved space situational awareness and shared insights on last February’s collision between a commercial Iridium spacecraft and a Russian Cosmos satellite.

Permanent Observer Status
“Thanks to our Permanent Observer Status with the UN COPUOS we can actively participate in discussions, meetings, and works of the Committee and its subcommittees,” explained consultant Agnieszka Lukaszczyk in SWF’s Vienna operations.

Lukaszczyk noted that SWF made a statement during the General Exchange of Views during COPUOS. Also, as a member of Action Team 14 on Near Earth Objects, SWF actively contributed to discussions on this issue. Additionally, SWF organized the first ever working lunch for UN COPUOS Permanent Observers, to discuss roles and duties within the Committee.

SWF Advisory Committee Member: New Book Released

2009-06-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

SWF Advisory Committee member, Joan Johnson-Freese, Professor and Chair of the Department of National Security Studies at the Naval War College, has a new book just out: Heavenly Ambitions America's Quest to Dominate Space.

In Heavenly Ambitions, Johnson-Freese draws from a myriad of sources to argue that the United States is on the wrong path: first, by politicizing the question of space threats and, second, by continuing to believe that military domination in space is the only way to protect U.S. interests in space.

In her new University of Pennsylvania Press book, Johnson-Freese lays out her vision of the future of space as a frontier where nations cooperate, and military activity is circumscribed by arms control treaties that would allow no one nation to dominate - just as no one nation’s military dominates the world’s oceans. This is in the world’s interest and, most important, in the U.S. national interest, she concludes.

For more information on her new book, go to:

http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/14608.html

-- Leonard David

Secure World Foundation attending 52nd session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

2009-06-05T08:16:00.001-07:00

Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation is attending the 52nd session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). On June 5, he presented a statement during a general exchange of views. Ben Baseley-Walker, SWF Legal and Policy Advisor, and Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, SWF Space Policy Consultant, are also in attendance.

The COPUOS session, held in Vienna, Austria, began on June 2. On June 3, following a general exchange of views, a panel discussion was held to discuss the the tenth anniversary of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III).

Special presentations on education and Asian space cooperation were made on June 4. Rusty Schweickart, founder of the B612 Foundation and lead researcher on near Earth object (NEO) mitigation for the Association of Space Explorers, also made a presentation on that day. A panel discussion on the tenth anniversary of UNISPACE III followed later in the day.

Secure World Foundation Expands Operations

2009-06-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

The Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of an office in Vienna, Austria to expand its global interaction and involvement in the shaping of international space governance issues.

Establishing a Secure World Foundation (SWF) office outside of the United States exemplifies the growth of the organization and its involvement in international space activities, explained consultant Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, head of SWF’s Vienna operations. “This was an important step for SWF, as Europe and the United Nations have critical roles to play in all of the issues with which we deal,” added Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF’s Executive Director.

“Having most of the United Nations space-related entities here in Vienna, such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the establishment of a SWF presence in Vienna will allow us to focus not only on European space policy but also on various international endeavors related to space,” Lukaszczyk noted.

Emphasizing the importance of the new office in Vienna, Lukaszczyk noted SWF’s Permanent Observer Status with the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

“We can actively participate in discussions, meetings, and works of the committee and its subcommittees. During the upcoming session of the UN COPUOS, the Secure World Foundation will make a statement during the General Exchange of Views,” Lukaszczyk said. “We will also attend and actively contribute to the work of the Action Team 14 on Near Earth Objects, in which SWF has membership status. Most of all, we are organizing the first ever working lunch for all the UN COPUOS Permanent Observers to discuss our roles and duties in the committee,” she added.

New Agreement Signals Major Shift in International Arms Control and Disarmament Efforts

2009-05-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

For the first time in a decade, the international body dedicated to discussing arms control and disarmament unanimously agreed on a program of work today, opening the door to negotiations on nuclear weapons, fissile materials, and space security.
The Conference on Disarmament (CD), located in Geneva, Switzerland, was established in 1979 as the single, international body where multilateral disarmament negotiations take place. It is here, in the grand Palais des Nations on the shores of Lake Geneva that diplomats have hammered out previous treaties banning chemical and biological weapons as well as the comprehensive ban on nuclear testing.

Today’s consensus resolution was the culmination of a long process aimed at returning the Conference to work, a process championed by Ambassador Jazaïry from Algeria during his Presidency of the CD. Secure World Foundation (SWF) Executive Director Dr. Ray Williamson commented, "The return to substantive work is a huge step forward for international diplomacy on arms control and disarmament.”

Another initiative by Ambassador Jazaïry was the session on 28 May in which four non-government organizations (NGOs) were invited to address the CD. Facilitated by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the event marked the first time an NGO panel has been invited to speak at an informal plenary session of the CD, according to SWF Legal and Policy Advisor Ben Baseley-Walker.

The program of work, document CD 1863, establishes four Working Groups on the topics of nuclear disarmament, control on production of fissile material, prevention of an arms race in outer space and assuring non-nuclear weapon States against the threat or risk of nuclear weapons. Three Special Coordinators were also established, tasked with making recommendations on how the CD should tackle the issues of new types of WMD, comprehensive disarmament, and transparency.

Mr. Baseley-Walker noted that the mood at the conference was one of revitalized international cooperation and commitment to move forward. He added, "Should the Committee choose to invite us, I hope that Secure World Foundation and others can continue to contribute to the thinking of the CD in the spirit of this session, and that the expertise of elements of civil society can help to support the renewed vitality of the Conference."

For more information on space security and international diplomacy, contact the Secure World Foundation:

Phil Smith
Communications Director
Secure World Foundation
Phone: +1 (303) 554-1560
Mobile: +1 (505) 918-6093
Email: psmith@swfound.org

Space Trash is No Joke

2009-05-28T14:05:00.001-07:00

by Victoria Samson

The Hubble Space Telescope, once the joke of late-night comedians, has proved to be an invaluable resource in photographing the universe. NASA has undertaken a very expensive mission to send up the Space Shuttle Atlantis in an attempt to extend the telescope’s lifespan so that it can continue to serve its purpose. So imagine how much of a loss it would be if a piece of space debris rammed into it, ending its mission prematurely. It and all the other spacecraft must keep a wary eye out for the hundreds of thousands of pieces of manmade debris that circle our planet.

On May 13, a four-inch piece of space trash passed within 1.7 miles of the Hubble. At its current altitude of 350 miles, this means the two objects were moving at such dizzying speeds that an impact could be catastrophic.

This orbital debris was not, like many other pieces, a cast-off part from an earlier space mission. Instead, it was created in January 2007 when China tested an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon, using one of their ballistic missiles to shoot down an aging Chinese weather satellite. This event, according to Joseph Rouge, head of U.S. National Security Space Office, created debris that “will be around 3,000-4,000 years.”

China certainly was not the first country to test ASAT weapons – the United States and the Soviet Union both held tests during the Cold War – and debris from the last official U.S. ASAT test in 1985 took 19 years to de-orbit and is no longer a threat to satellites. Debris from the Soviet tests is still up there.

The U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN) is currently tracking over 19,000 objects. Of these, fewer than 900 are active satellites and another 2,300 are inactive satellites. But this is just the tip of the iceberg: given sensor improvements, the United States could track at least 300,000 more objects that are half an inch and bigger, yet still not be able to monitor everything surrounding our planet. U.S. officials worry that a non-tracked piece of debris may unexpectedly crash into a spacecraft or satellite, wrecking it permanently. What you don’t know apparently can hurt you.

The piece of debris from the Chinese ASAT test that passed so close to the Hubble was tracked and U.S. officials decided that in this particular case, the telescope did not need to be moved. However, in 2008, on five separate occasions other spacecraft had to shift in their orbits in order to avoid colliding with some debris. This requires using up some of the precious fuel that the spacecraft take on their missions, and in many cases interrupting the services and data the satellites provide.

Of course, given the alternative, a shortened lifespan is better than complete annihilation. In February 2009, a U.S. Iridium satellite collided with an inactive Russian communication satellite, creating almost 900 bits of trackable debris (and an unknown number too small to track but still dangerous).

What can be done about this? Ideally, the debris wouldn’t be created at all. The United Nations has endorsed a set of voluntary debris mitigation guidelines presented by a worldwide group of civil space agencies, including NASA. The United States and several other nations are implementing these measures. However, more than 40 different countries currently own or operate satellites so implementation needs to be more widespread. Meanwhile, the United States is working on improving its space situational awareness so that it can continue to monitor and track debris. Finally, abstaining from using destructive ASAT weapons ensures that damaging debris isn’t created that will be around for eons. With over 400 satellites on orbit, the United States stands to lose the most if space becomes a shooting gallery.

Secure World Foundation presents at Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland

2009-05-28T10:39:00.001-07:00

Ben Baseley-Walker, Legal and Policy Advisor for Secure World Foundation, presented on the topic of space security to the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, Switzerland today.

The presentation, which served as an overview on space security, helped describe what space security is, what it means in the international context, the role it plays in activities of the CD, and how Secure World Foundation addresses the subject.

Baseley-Walker pointed out that the cornerstones of space security are 1) Securing the long‐term sustainability of critical orbital regions for continued beneficial use and 2) Securing freedom of access to and use of space for socioeconomic benefit for all of humanity. Space security has become more prominent in recent years, and the international community should consider organizational proliferation, legal and policy models, and the international political climate when dealing with the subject in a balanced way.

Space security matters because human space activities, military or civil, the space environment needs to be made sustainable in the long-term. Perhaps the most pressing space security issue today is orbital debris. Orbital debris, as it happens, is an apolitical issue, because it does not discriminate among space assets it damages and whose space services it interrupts. In addition, the importance of space as a tool for emerging space States to provide human security to their people cannot be ignored. Space assets support, for example, border security; water and other Earth resource management; military activities; and disaster warning, management, and relief.

Baseley-Walker argues that space security clearly lies within mandate of the CD, specifically in terms of addressing mitigation of potential threats to the world’s use of space through military activities or other means. The key challenge is that because space is so globalised, it is imperative that ALL space actors are engaged and invested in space security initiatives.

According to Reaching Critical Will, "For the first time, the CD hosted an informal NGO panel, with speakers from WILPF, the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, the Secure World Foundation, and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. An informative, interactive discussion followed each presentation with a wide variety of delegates participating. While the current CD president Ambassador Jazaïry noted that this would not constitute a precedent, some of the attending delegations said they hoped it would be a precedent. NGOs would certainly welcome future opportunities to engage with the CD in its work."

His presentation can be downloaded here.

Senate Testimony: U.S. Military Space Programs

2009-05-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

For an up-to-date look at U.S. military space programs, take a read of recent testimony provided to the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. The May 20, 2009 hearing was titled Military Space Programs in Review of the Defense Authorization Request Fiscal Year 2010 and the Future Years Defense Program.

 Mr. Gary E. Payton
Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs

http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/May/Payton%2005-20-09.pdf

 General C. Robert Kehler, USAF Commander, Air Force Space Command

http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/May/Kehler%2005-20-09.pdf

 Lieutenant General Larry D. James, USAF Commander, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, United States Strategic Command

http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/May/James%2005-20-09.pdf

 Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., USN Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Communication Networks

http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/May/Harris%2005-20-09.pdf

 Cristina T. Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management
Government Accountability Office

http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2009/May/Chaplain%2005-20-09.pdf

Compiled by Leonard David

President Obama nominates Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator, Lori Garver as Deputy Administrator

2009-05-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

President Obama has nominated Charles Bolden as NASA Administrator and Lori Garver as Deputy Administrator. Bolden is a retired Marine Corps general and former NASA astronaut and Garver was a former NASA Associate Administrator until 2001, having worked since then as a consultant for the space industry. She was also a member of the Obama NASA transition team. Garver is currently an Advisory Committee member for Secure World Foundation.

New Tactical Satellite: On-orbit Checkout Underway

2009-05-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Tactical Satellite-3’s liftoff took place on May 19th from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia.

Boosting the satellite into Earth orbit was a Minotaur 1 rocket, integrated by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC). The Minotaur 1 is a four-stage vehicle, two stages being refurbished Minuteman II stages and the two stages being OSC developed.

The year-long mission of the 880-pound TacSat-3 is to evaluate a suite of payloads that includes:

-- The Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer (ARTEMIS), a hyperspectral imager
-- The Office of Naval Research’s Satellite Communications Package
-- The Space Avionics Experiment, an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) - led experiment featuring the first space-based employment of plug-and-play technology.

This trio of instruments will offer real-time imagery (within 10 minutes of collection), sea-based information transmitted from ocean buoys and plug-and-play avionics to assist the warfighter on the ground.

Program management for TacSat-3 is the AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

By Leonard David

Military Space: "At a Critical Juncture"

2009-05-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Military space is at a critical juncture, noted Cristina T. Chaplain, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing Management for the Government Accountability Office (GAO). She testified May 20 before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services in the U.S. Senate.

Chaplain said that there are critical capabilities that are at risk of falling behind their current level of service.

“To best mitigate these circumstances and put future programs on a better path, DOD needs to focus foremost on sustaining current capabilities and preparing for potential gaps. In addition, there is still a looming question of how military and intelligence space activities should be organized and led,” she explained in written testimony.

Estimated costs for major space acquisition programs have increased by about $10.9 billion from initial estimates for fiscal years 2008 through 2013. In several cases, DOD has had to cut back on quantity and capability in the face of escalating costs.

Chaplain noted that, along with the cost increases, many programs are experiencing significant schedule delays -- at least 7 years -- resulting in potential capability gaps in areas such as positioning, navigation, and timing; missile warning; and weather monitoring.

To view Chaplain’s complete testimony, go to:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09705t.pdf

By Leonard David

Satellite Collision: Debris to Remain Hazard for Years

2009-05-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Last February, the collision between two satellites created a mess in Earth orbit.

Lieutenant General Larry James, Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space testified today before a Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

James provided an update on the collision between an inactive Russian Cosmos satellite and an operational Iridium commercial communications spacecraft.

“To date we have cataloged over 940 pieces of debris that resulted from the Iridium/Cosmos collision and there are likely thousands of smaller pieces our sensors can’t track,” James reported. He added that only 18 items of debris have reentered so far in written testimony.

The orbiting leftovers are expected to be circling Earth for decades, James added.

“This debris will slowly decay due to natural forces, but it will remain a hazard to manned and unmanned spaceflight in low Earth orbit, and to satellites transiting that region, for several years,” James explained.

By Leonard David

SWF Leadership Attends Air War College Forum on National Security

2009-05-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF’s Executive Director, is attending this week the National Security Forum being held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Williamson received and accepted a personal invitation from the Secretary of the Air Force to attend the 56th Annual National Security Forum (NSF) at the Air War College.

The purpose of NSF is to expose influential citizens to senior U.S. and international officers and civilian equivalents in order to engage each other’s ideas and perspectives on Air Force, national and international security issues.

During the week of May 18-22, approximately 130 civilian leaders in business, education and government from all over the U.S. will meet with senior military leaders to explore current and future national security issues facing our nation.

The Forum includes discussion of cybersecurity, the robotics revolution and conflict in the 21st century, diplomacy and security challenges in the broader Middle East, unwrapping the mysteries of Iran, North Korea’s nuclear diplomacy as well as a major address to those attending the Forum by the Honorable Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force.

The Air War College is the senior professional development school in the Air Force officer education system as a part of Air University. It educates selected senior officers to lead at the strategic level in the employment of air and space forces. The curriculum focuses on coalition warfighting and national security issues, with emphasis on the effective employment of aerospace forces in joint and combined combat operations.

Major General Charles Bolden, Jr. expected to be next NASA Administrator

2009-05-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

MSNBC is reporting that President Barack Obama will formally announce on Monday the nomination of retired Major General Charles Bolden as the next Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bolden retired from the Marine Corps in 2004 and was an astronaut from 1981 to 1994. Bolden's name floated to the top of lists for the post beginning in January, only to be dismissed as rumor. NASAWatch is also reporting this news, citing independent sources.

More on Bolden can be found here.

Secure World Foundation tapped for HDNet World Report story

2009-05-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

HDNet World Report featured a story Tuesday night on the STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, which successfully launched on Monday, May 11. Phil Smith, Communications Director for Secure World Foundation (SWF), was interviewed by correspondent Greg Dobbs. The first half of the segment detailed the mission of Atlantis and the HST. The second half addressed orbital debris and the concern that this might impact the mission. HDNet contacted SWF to weigh in on the subject. SWF is actively working with partners to establish a regime designed to mitigate orbital debris, an issue that requires significant technical and policy coordination. Photo: Phil Smith shows correspondent Greg Dobbs a chart describing orbital debris concentrations. Courtesy HDNet.

The HST/orbital debris story is the first segment of the episode that aired on Tuesday, May 12. HDNet World Report can be downloaded from iTunes:

1. If you haven't done so already, download iTunes.
2. Go here.
3. In the box halfway down to the search box labeled "Search iTunes store." Type in "HDNet World Report".
4. That will give you an icon for HDNet World Report. Click on it. Look for Episode #55 and download for $1.50.

What Can the World Do About Space Debris? An Urgent Call to Action

2009-05-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to reduce the threat to both human spaceflight and satellites from destructive space debris. Photo: Left to right, Nicholas Kasirer (Dean of the McGill Law School), Gerard Brachet and Dr. Ray Williamson (Secure World Foundation Executive Director), courtesy Alejandro Restrepo Marino.

That viewpoint emerged from a major gathering of space experts at the International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris, held May 7-9 at the Faculty of Law, McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

The Congress brought together legal, policy, and technical experts from around the globe, including the U.S., Russia, India, China, Canada, and Europe – a unique gathering of officials to thrash out legal, and technical ideas for the next phase of dealing with the space debris issue.

Critical steps and options
Over the past decade and a half, the world’s major space agencies have been developing a set of orbital debris mitigation guidelines aimed at stemming the creation of new space debris and lessening the impact of existing debris on satellites and human spaceflight. A version of these guidelines was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations in 2008 and several States are in the process of implementing or have already implemented these voluntary measures.

The Congress noted that a critical next step is engaging with the growing number of developing countries that are using satellites to help protect their populations and manage natural resources. While they may not have independent spacefaring capabilities, orbital debris is an area of concern for them and they can contribute meaningfully to the process.

“Space debris is primarily a global issue. Global problems need globally solutions, which must be effectively implemented internationally as well as nationally,” said McGill University’s Ram Jakhu, Chair of the Congress.

“Tackling the difficult issue of mitigating the destructive effects of space debris requires the attention of experts versed in the legal, policy, and technical and scientific aspects of space debris,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

“This interdisciplinary Congress illuminated many of the most difficult and thorny issues inherent in tackling space debris problems and provided some important suggestions on a way forward,” Williamson said.

To this end, the Congress explored a variety of legal options for further implementation of debris mitigation guidelines. One possibility mentioned is the establishment of an international regime for dealing with orbital debris similar to the Missile Technology Control Regime, or perhaps the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963. There are a variety of other means within international law as well, including codes, declarations and treaties.

Next phase of debris mitigation
Up until now, the debris mitigation process has been focused mainly on the technical aspects, with an enormous amount of research producing excellent recommendations, noted Brian Weeden, Technical Consultant for the Secure World Foundation.

“However, the community is now starting to focus on the legal aspect, which is critical for broadening and strengthening the adoption of debris mitigation guidelines and space safety in general,” Weeden said.

Weeden explained that the recent Congress explored lessons from terrestrial environmental pollution law as well as maritime law that could be applicable to outer space. Furthermore, international law isn’t necessarily the only method for implementing the guidelines. “We are also looking at a variety of other mechanisms, to include economics and industrial standards,” he said.

Emerging consensus
There was definite consensus from the gathering on the importance of Space Situational Awareness for all space actors, as a means of learning more about the space debris problem and how to tackle it. Many also believed that any international space debris regime also needs to be developed with an eye to the future and an eventual international space traffic control system.

The discussion of orbital debris doesn’t stop with the McGill Congress.

Planning for a second workshop at the University of Cologne in May 2010 is already underway. Sponsored by the German government, this follow-on event will take the inputs and discussions from the McGill Congress and generate specific policy, legal and technical recommendations for the next phase of dealing with debris mitigation.

Additionally, researchers are moving towards the next phase of scientific study. “There is an emerging consensus among the technical community that simply preventing creation of new debris is not going to be enough,” Weeden emphasized.

“At some point we will need to actively remove debris from orbit. Fortunately, new studies are showing that removing as few as five or six objects per year could stabilize the debris population over the long term. The big question right now is which objects to remove first and what is the best method to do so.”

Event information
The International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris was co-organized by the McGill University Institute of Air and Space Law, Montreal, Canada; the Cologne University Institute of Air and Space Law in Cologne, Germany; and the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety in Katwijk, the Netherlands.

This impressive gathering of experts was co-sponsored by the Erin J. C. Arsenault Trust and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna, Austria. Erin Arsenault is the daughter of Secure World Foundation founders, Cynda and Marcel Arsenault.

McGill International Interdisciplinary Space Debris Congress Wrap-up

2009-05-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brian Weeden, Secure World Foundation Technical Consultan, for the bulk of this write-up.

The International Interdisciplinary Space Debris Congress held at McGill University in Montreal, Canada has concluded. This was an event primarily put together by Dr. Ram Jaku of the McGill School of Air and Space Law with funding support from the Erin Arsenault Trust. Brian Weeden and Ben Baseley-Walker of Secure World Foundation had significant input into the agenda and objectives for the event. The event, attended by between 50 and 75 legal and technical professionals, was devised as the first part of a two-phase project, with part two being hosted at the University of Cologne in May 2010. The Cologne workshop will include a smaller list of participants and focus on drafting a set of legal, policy, and technical recommendations for moving forward on the space debris mitigation issue.

First Session
The first session was chaired by Lubos Perek of the Czech Republic and represented a summary of current knowledge on space debris from both a legal and technical aspect. Fernand Alby, representing France’s Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) gave a summary of the amount of debris currently on orbit, the danger to satellites, and the re-entry issue. Rudi Jehn of the European Space Agency (ESA) followed with a talk on how we detect and observe space debris using the US Space Surveillance Network (SSN), some European sensors, and the International Scientific Optical observation Network (ISON), highlighting areas where there are tracking shortfalls. This was followed by Darius Nikanpour of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) who talked about space debris mitigation technologies, from spacecraft design to satellite on-orbit and end of life practices. Finally, Stephan Hobe of the University of Cologne Space Law program in Germany presented a legal analysis of how current space and international law applies to space debris. He focused on the issue of the legal definition of space debris, the potential illegality of debris creation and obligation to prevent and minimize debris, and the legality of removal and recycling of space debris.

Second Session
The second session was chaired by Richard Tremayne-Smith and focused on an analysis of the voluntary debris mitigation guidelines developed by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and endorsed by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) from both a technical and legal perspective. Niklas Hedman of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) gave a talk on the IADC and UN COPOUS process and how that shaped the design of the guidelines. Stephan Hobe discussed potential legal issues in establishing national regulations for implementation. David Wright of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) finished up the session with an interesting analysis of the history of intentional and unintentional collisions and what the wartime destruction of a US spy satellite by a Chinese anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon might look like (a scenario that generated about three to five times as much debris as the ASAT/FY-1C event of January 2007).

Third Session
The third session was chaired by Jeff Foust of Futron Corporation and focused on current implantation of the IADC/UN COPOUS debris mitigation guidelines by various States. US Air Force (USAF) Major Mike Taylor of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) talked about how the USAF was implementing them through regulations and policy, which is considered national “soft law” (as opposed to codes and statutes which are “hard law”), and a bit about the role of the Commercial and Foreign Entities (CFE) program in this regard. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was represented by Laura Montgomery, who gave a talk about the FAA role in inserting debris mitigation guidelines into licensing requirements. The primary issue here is that the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) only has jurisdiction over the launch and re-entry phases and not explicitly over the on-orbit phase. Carsten Weidemann (Germany’s IADC group) outlined the long-term impacts of both tracked and untracked debris on satellites and showed some initial cost estimates and returns for various levels of IADC debris mitigation guidelines implementation – the level 2 guidelines started to payoff in 2041.

K R S Murthi from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) provided an overview of ISRO activities and how it is implementing the debris guidelines. He mentioned that India has made a policy decision not to have any intentional breakups and that India does support discussion of a future international treaty on space debris. Jiehan Feng of China’s Wuhan University gave a legal overview of China’s regulatory situation and how they are looking to implement the guidelines. In particular, she pointed out that China is looking to harmonize its national space launch and regulations and increase the internal coordination between government departments. Michael Yakolev (ROSCOSMOS) talked about Russian implementation, the most recent example of which was a national law mandating debris mitigation which came into force in January 2009. He also talked a bit about the Russian center that does conjunction analysis and highlighted the need for transparency. Finally, Hugues Gilbert (CSA) talked about Canadian implementation, particularly the new Canadian Remote Sensing Space Systems Act.

Fourth Session
This session, chaired by Secure World Foundation (SWF) Executive Director Dr. Ray Williamson, focused on the various implementation strategies beyond those that were currently being used. The first talk was by Adigun Ade of Nigeria who provided the developing country perspective. He highlighted the need to get the developing countries involved in the process, since it is important to them from a safety (re-entering space debris) and security (their space assets) standpoint. Most significantly, he talked about the need to invest in knowledge and science in developing countries so they could contribute meaningfully to the discussion. Wade Huntley of the Canadian-based Simons Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Research followed with a talk on the differences in perspective between great powers and developing countries and how including the latter could help shift the debate on space away from nationalistic tendencies towards cooperation.

Ram Jakhu from the McGill Law School then discussed the various levels of international law, starting with voluntary guidelines at the least strict end and a multilateral treaty with verification mechanisms on the high end. Within this spectrum, he talked about how the space debris mitigation guidelines might fit well in a system like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MCTR) or even the Limited Test Ban Treaty. Intelsat’s Richard Dalbello gave the commercial perspective on the issue, talking about the need for agreement on radiofrequency issues as well as debris. He said that the decisions we make in the next 5-10 years will have huge implications for the future and strongly advocated making every satellite a sensor and some level of space traffic management.

Tommasso Sgobba (International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety) gave the non-governmental organization (NGO) perspective on the situation. He talked about other issues of space safety such as the threat to air traffic and toxic pollution. In particular, he mentioned that the Columbia disaster created a curtain of falling debris across a large part of the US that created a 1 in 1,000 collision hazard for air traffic. He felt strongly that space debris needed to be part of a larger space safety regime and that a lightweight international organization was needed to manage and oversee adoption.

Dave Finkelman from the Center for Space Standards and Innovation (CSSI) discussed ISO (International Organization for Standardization) processes and industrial standards. He emphasized that unless the guidelines were validated, verifiable, enforced and had demonstrated sufficiency they were mostly worthless. In particular, he talked about the need for international industrial consensus on this and especially a focus on safety focus in the orbit and constellation design phase. Xavier Pasco (Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique) talked about how European policy on space security is developing. Space is seen as an element of the security of the European citizen, and that space is seen as a way of doing soft power projection at a time when it is difficult to get agreement on an overall European security and defense policy. Finally, Rudi Jehn (ESA) spoke again on the re-orbit situation. In 2008, only seven of the 12 satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) that failed were re-orbited safely in accordance with the guidelines and that less than 400 of the 1,200 trackable objects near the GEO belt were active satellites.

Fifth Session
This session, chaired by Claudio Portelli (ESA) focused on complementary regimes and initiatives that could work well with the UN COPOUS debris mitigation guidelines. Technical Consultant Brian Weeden (SWF) gave a presentation on international civil space situational awareness (ICSSA). This was followed by Luca del Monte (ESA) who gave a talk on the European SSA initiative, in particular how they were making progress on a governance model and data sharing policy. Maria Buzdugan of Milbank Insurance talked about the issue from a space insurer’s perspective and how the insurance industry is starting to think differently about space debris. However, for the time being it is still a small fraction of the overall risk to satellites. She also mentioned that every satellite insurance policy has exclusion for destruction or damage due to an ASAT attack as well as damage or destruction from a collision with a piece of debris from an ASAT attack. Also, since the debris mitigation guidelines are becoming standardized, non-compliance may be seen as fault for any damage resulting from not complying. Finally, Bill Ailor (The Aerospace Corporation) talked about space traffic management and re-iterated his proposal for an international non-profit being setup to handle this.

Sixth Session
Chaired by Paul Dempsey of McGill University featured all the session chairs giving wrap-ups of their sessions along with a speech by Ciro Arevalo, Chairman of COPUOS. There was then an extended discussion with comments and input from much of the audience on where to go from here. Several big issues were highlighted:

1) The need to find a way to involve the developing world in the process in a meaningful and constructive way, and to expand implementation in a realistic way beyond the space faring States.
2) The role and development of regional mechanisms to overcome the lack of national mechanisms in non-space faring nations and the need to avoid fragmentation of multiple efforts.
3) Analysis and discussion of the right level of international law as the next step in space debris mitigation, and whether or not it should be part of a larger space safety regime. Should there be one big regime or agreement, or multiple overlapping ones at different levels?
4) The role and mechanism for involving commercial operators as partners with governments in this process.
5) Making sure the debris mitigation guidelines are validated, verifiable, enforced and have demonstrated sufficiency for solving the problem.
6) How do we future proof any space debris regime by adding in links to SSA and future STM regimes?
7) What is the research plan for active debris removal, something that everyone agrees is going to become necessary?
8) What is the role that space safety plays in the overall context of global human and environmental security? Can we continue to treat space as separate from overall security issues?

Keeping the Space Environment Safe for Civil and Commercial Users

2009-05-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

A hearing of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics of the House Science and Technology Committee, "Keeping the Space Environment Safe for Civil and Commercial Users," took place on April 29, 2009. The event took place at 2318 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

The hearing was chaired by Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). Witnesses included Larry D. James, Commander of 14th Air Force and the Joint Functional Command for Space at the U.S. Strategic Command; Nicholas Johnson, Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris at NASA; Richard DalBello, Vice President of Government Relations at Intelsat; and Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute at The George Washington University.

The full transcript of the hearing can be accessed here.

Secure World Foundation participating in the International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris

2009-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Secure World Foundation is participating in the International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris being held at McGill University in Montreal, Canada May 6-7. Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of SWF, provided opening remarks while Brian Weeden, SWF's Technical Consultant, will record precedings on a panel providing a summary of current knowledge on the space debris problem from both a technical and legal perspective and will present a paper on civil space situational awareness the following day. The event is sponsored by the Erin J. C. Arsenault Trust and co-organized by the McGill University Institute of Air and Space Law, the Cologne University Institute of Air and Space Law (Cologne, Germany) and the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (Katwijk, the Netherlands). Image: McGill.

The objectives of the event are:
-- To assess the value of the UN COPUOS Guidelines
-- To assess current efforts to implement the UN COPUOS Guidelines
-- To examine further legal, organizational and technical foundations and endeavours for possible national, regional, and international implementation and to assess whether they could be complementary to the UN COPUOS Guidelines
-- To put forward specific and viable policy and regulatory steps (mechanisms) that may be considered by states and other stake holders to monitor and reduce the space debris risks

A program complete with backgrounder can be found here. More details on this event will be posted in this blog in the coming days.

Presentations from "Near Earth Objects: Risks and Opportunities" now online

2009-05-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Presentations from "Near Earth Objects: Risks and Opportunities," held April 23-24, 2009 at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and co-sponsored by the UNL Space and Telecommunications Law Department, Secure World Foundation, the American Branch of the International Law Association and the Association of Space Explorers, are now online. You can check them out in our NEOs Articles, papers and briefings page or at the UNL Space and Telecom Law page.

Space debris – a growing concern

2009-05-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Victoria Samson, Director of Washington Operations at Secure World Foundation, has written a piece on orbital debris for Nieman Watchdog. The article, entitled "Space debris - a growing concern" is designed to help journalists interested in writing about the subject of orbital debris, using a question and answer format.

Questions answered include:

1. Can debris be created intentionally?
2. How can we ensure the long term sustainability of outer space?
3. What is the White House’s policy regarding debris mitigation?

Rideau Institute releases report on the state of Canada's space sector

2009-05-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

In a newly issued report on the state of Canada's space sector, analysts, industry leaders and experts are cautiously optimistic about the state of the space sector in Canada, but are watching the deteriorating state of the economy warily.

"The increased focus of the federal government on space over the past year has led to some positive developments in the space sector," said Anthony Salloum, Program Director of the Rideau Institute and Canadian Consultant to Secure World Foundation.
"Attention is now focused on the anticipated release of the federal space strategy by the Canadian Space Agency," Salloum said.

"Recent events in the Canadian space sector have raised the sector's profile, so much so that it was highlighted in the 2009 federal budget," said David Macdonald, economist with the Rideau Institute and author of the report issued by the organization. "However, the federal government's spending has not reversed Canada’s decline in relative space spending compared to other G8 countries. More forward-looking policy changes will be necessary to get Canada back in the game," Macdonald added.

The Rideau Institute noted in their assessment – Looking Up: A Report on the State of Canada’s Space Sector – the following:
-- The $110 million increase in funding for the Canadian Space Agency in Budget 2009 is positive, but the new spending does not alter long-term funding concerns.
-- The space sector may be affected by the economic downturn, although prospects for 2009 are generally favorable.
-- Anticipation is high for the forthcoming Canadian Space Agency strategic plan.
-- Industry tends to support a continued "niche" approach to space technology, while others favor more high-profile projects.
-- Some stakeholders still see the need for an overarching space policy, although it may be out of reach for the moment.

Unique opportunity
"Space can be used as a tool to create jobs, inspire future generations, and increase human and environmental security around the world. On this issue, Canada has a unique opportunity to continue to play a significant role as both a technological and political leader in the global community," said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.

"Given the current economic climate facing Canada and the world, time is of the essence," added Salloum. "A strategic plan by the CSA coupled with a new overarching and forward-thinking space policy would be welcomed, given the dependence of our economy on space-based technology."

Space arms control language from the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

2009-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

The final report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States has been released. The Executive Summary is available here.

Excerpts from the report of particular interest to Secure World Foundation:

On space arms control:
"As part of its work, the Commission surveyed other arms control issues. Two further proposed measures require discussion here. The first is arms control in space. Russia and China are keenly interested in such control, not least because they hope that such measures can be used to limit U.S. missile defenses. The Bush Administration took a strong stance against it. This is an issue that will not disappear. The strong dependence of U.S. conventional military forces on space-based communications and sensors makes this an issue of great and continuing importance. There are other serious civilian issues such as space situational awareness, space debris, and space traffic management [emphasis added] that could be used to develop international discussion and working relationships.

The actual promise of space arms control is unclear. In the Commission’s view, the United States should seriously study these issues and prepare to lead an international debate about how to craft a control regime in space [emphasis added] that serves its national security interests and the broader interests of the international community."

With related recommendations:
-- Develop and pursue options for advancing U.S. interests in stability in outer space and in increasing warning and decision-time. The options should include the possibility of negotiated measures.

-- Take the lead in renewing strategic dialogue with a broad set of states interested in strategic stability, including not just Russia and China but also U.S. allies in both Europe and Asia.

Michael Krepon, Co-Founder of the Henry L. Stimson Center, presents on space security

2009-05-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Henry L. Stimson Center, spoke on the subject of space security during this month's installment of the Space Security Lunch Series. The lunch series is co-sponsored by Secure World Foundation and the Aerospace Law and Policy Association at the University of Colorado Law School.

Krepon began his talk with a brief description of our dependence on space-based services, introducing how space weapons fundamentally threaten these services. He pointed out that various efforts have been undertaken to prevent the weaponization of space, some of which were or are extensions of existing approaches like nuclear deterrence. Other efforts currently under way include civil space situational awareness, in which data about location and movement of satellites is shared via a common data center using standardized data.

According to Krepon, there are three ways to address a specific form of space weapons, anti-satellite (ASAT) systems: Counter systems depending on a force projection or space dominance perspective, a treaty banning all space weapons, or a space code of conduct (or "rules of the road"). ASATs, by the way, include nuclear bombs, kinetic kill payloads and systems designed to temporarily disable a satellite. The latter is the approach considered most desirable by the U.S. Department of Defense. However, none of these options is ideal in terms of dealing with space weaponization.

The U.S. and Soviet Union have already banned nuclear detonations in space per a 1963 treaty following the destruction of several satellites after a exoatmospheric nuclear test. Further, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 bans nuclear weapons in space, along with other weapons of mass destruction. In terms of using a treaty to ban space weapons outright, this approach has not been popular with the United States because a treaty is designed to limit behavior, and from the standpoint of national security this means compromising flexibility when it comes to responding to threats. This is especially true of the U.S. adheres to such a treaty but another party does not. There are generally two kinds of treaties in this regard: a type designed to prohibit all dedicated space weapons and another designed to prohibit all destructive activities against space assets. This latter form is perhaps the most likely of the two to be pursued, as it is more verifiable and also includes the mitigation of orbital debris. Still, treaties are the "toughest rules" to implement, according to Krepon, and are very difficult to negotiate not just on the international level but also at the level of national ratification.

Instead, Krepon suggests a code of conduct, which is a flexible tool that can be implemented more quickly than a treaty and is less formal. In addition, other codes of conduct, such as those used by military services, aviators and sailors, can inform a space code of conduct. A code, for example, can include mechanisms for confidence and security-building measures (CSBMs) designed to remove misunderstandings and unilateral decisions by States. It can also include orbital debris mitigation guidelines, such as those already endorsed by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

Krepon suggested such a code could be endorsed by a space power like the United States via an Executive Decision by the President, but that such a move has questionable legal relevance (laws are not made by the Executive Branch, but rather the Legislative Branch, the Congress). It is possible, however, for Executive Decisions to be made into law by a simple majority in both houses of Congress. Still, it is an option to consider, and one that is not entirely unreasonable given President Barack Obama's campaign promise to pursue a comprehensive space policy that generically supports a "rules of the road" for space.

Secure World Foundation thanks Mr. Krepon for taking time out of his busy schedule to discuss this important subject.

New report by Council on Foreign Relations calls for ban on anti-satellite weapons

2009-05-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Council on Foreign Relations has issued a Task Force report, titled U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, which focuses on "near-term policies to reduce nuclear weapons to the lowest possible level consistent with maintaining a credible deterrent, while also ensuring that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is safe, secure, and reliable for as long as it is needed." The report also calls for a ban on anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons.

On page 4 of the Executive Summary, "The report proposes a ban on the testing of antisatellite weapons, which should include Russia and eventually be globally applicable." In the main text of the report, however, "kinetic ASATs" are specifically mentioned.

The Task Force was chaired by William J. Perry (Professor, Stanford University), Brent Scowcroft (Resident Trustee, The Forum for International Policy) and was directed by Charles D. Ferguson (Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology). Membership included a broad selection of well-respected experts (list available from link above).

Eilene Galloway, "Grand Matriarch of Space Law," passes away at 103

2009-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Eilene Galloway, a key contributor to the birth of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and leading figure in the development of space policy and law, passed away on May 2, 2009 just shy of her 103rd birthday. Image: NASA.

Born in 1906, Galloway began work with the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress in 1941 until her retirement in 1975. She authored many House and Senate documents including a report on "Guided Missiles in Foreign Countries," released just before the Soviets launched Sputnik in October 1957.

She became one of Washington's most influential space experts beginning in 1957, when she helped shape the creation of NASA. That year, aware of Galloway's report on guided missiles, then-U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson asked her to help with Congressional hearings that led to the creation of NASA. She was ultimately appointed special consultant to the Senate Special Committee on Space and Astronautics in 1958. This was coincident with her employment at CRS. Galloway recalls: "The only thing I knew about outer space at that time was that the cow had jumped over the Moon."

Galloway helped write the legislation that created the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which in turn led to the birth of NASA on October 1, 1958. Her work emphasized international cooperation and peaceful exploration. She went on to support nine NASA Advisory Committees as a special consultant. Photo: Eilene with President Johnson and Glen Wilson at right and an unidentified man at left. Image courtesy of NASA.

She also contributed to the establishment of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), and was a founding member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), among countless other accomplishments. She attended COPUOS meetings on behalf of the Senate Special Committee on Space and Astronautics, contributing to the drafting of treaties governing the exploration and uses of outer space. She would later represent IISL at COPUOS and it was during this time that she helped launch the field of space law. According to her obituary, in the May 15, 2006 Congressional Record, in honor of her 100th birthday, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, called Dr. Galloway "an influential force in the development and analysis of domestic and international space law and policy."

From 1966 to 1975 she was a senior specialist in international relations focusing on national security for CRS, contributed as special consultant to both the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences (from 1958 to 1977) and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (1977 to 1982).

In her words, written two years ago, she made this observation about the launch of Sputnik on October 4, 1957:

"While our first reaction was that we faced a military problem of technology inferiority, the testimony from scientists and engineers convinced us that outer space had been opened as a new environment and that it could be used worldwide for peaceful uses of benefit to all humankind, for communications, navigation, meteorology and other purposes. Use of space was not confined to military activities. It was remarkable that this possibility became evident so soon after Sputnik and its significance cannot be understated. The problem became one of maintaining peace rather than preparing the United States to meet the threat of using outer space for war. Fear of war changed to hope for peace."

Natural Impact Event Interagency Planning Exercise

2009-04-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Air Force Future Concepts and Transformation Division hosted a Natural Impact Event Interagency Planning Exercise on December 4, 2008, in Alexandria, Virginia. Twenty Seven Subject Matter Experts from across US Government, including the Departments of Defense, Energy, State, Homeland Security; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Security Council (NSC) participated in a single day tabletop exercise to explore “whole of government” response to an impending asteroid strike. Peter Anthony Garretson (Council of Foreign Relations) and Lindley N. Johnson (Planetary Science Division, HQ NASA) also wrote a paper summarizing the findings.

The specific scenario involved a mythical asteroid, “2008 Innoculatus.” It was a binary asteroid consisting of a 270-meter rocky rubble pile projected to strike the Gulf of Guinea and a 50-meter metallic companion asteroid projected to strike in the National Capital Region (NCR). The scenario was selected to maximize exposure to the diversity of threat (variation in size, composition, land/water strike), stress both national and international notification, and provide useful pre-planning should an actual effort need to be mounted against the asteroid Apophis when it has a small probability to pass through a gravitational keyhole in 2029 and perhaps return to strike the Earth seven years later in 2036. Players were broken into two teams. The first team focused on disaster response and was told the asteroid was discovered 72 hours from impact. The second team focused on deflection/mitigation was told the asteroid had been discovered seven years from impact, and to design a “strawman” deflection plan using existing capabilities. Major findings include:

- The NEO impact scenario is not captured in existing plans
- The NEO impact scenario should be elevated to higher level exercises with more senior players
- Proper planning and response to a NEO emergency requires delineation of organizational responsibilities including lead agency and notification standards,
- Players were not able to achieve consensus on which agency should lead the NEO deflection/mitigation effort
- There is a deficit in software tools to support senior decision-making and strategic communication for disaster response and mitigation for a NEO scenario
- There are significant effects a NEO impact would generate that are not adequately captured in existing models
- The public may be aware of an impending NEO impact before senior decision-makers
- Lead time for evacuation requires decisions be made before best information is available
- Public safety and tranquility require that the federal government be able to rapidly establish a single authoritative voice and tools to present critical information
- The preferred approach for short-notice NEO deflection was stand-off nuclear

Space Weather and Space Junk: Hazards to Satellite Operations

2009-04-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Satellites have a lot to dodge these days. Natural hazards, like coronal mass ejections from the Sun, intense radiation, and micrometeoroids – these are part of the natural environment of Earth orbit – what is called space weather.

Add to that mix, human-made hazards, ranging from lost bolts to drifting satellites – labeled as orbital debris, but better known as space junk.

This week space weather experts have gathered for the 2009 Space Weather Workshop, held April 28-May 1 in Boulder, Colorado, a meeting of science, research, applications, operations, and users. The event is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The conference addresses the remarkably diverse impacts of space weather on today’s technology, from communications, navigation, spacecraft operations and aviation to a nation’s electric power grid.

International Civil Space Situational Awareness
Dr. Suzanne Metlay, Operations Director of Secure World Foundation (SWF), presented April 28 at the meeting "Space Weather and International Civil Space Situational Awareness".

Metlay wrapped up a session at the workshop dedicated to Space Weather and Satellite Operations, addressing how space weather is a key aspect of a proposed system for international civil space situational awareness (ICSSA) that would help track objects in low Earth orbit, along with positional data and point of contact information.

Space situational awareness involves knowledge of where a satellite is at any given moment, what other objects are around it, and its space environment.

Metlay explained that ICSSA is vital to avoid incidents like last month when the crew of the International Space Station had to hide from a fragment of orbital debris (luckily the crew and the orbiting facility weren't hit) or as in February when two satellites collided in low Earth orbit, completely destroying both satellites.

Metlay added: "The economic consequences of inadequate SSA data collection, poor data sharing, or lack of international coordination can be significant to civil, military and commercial satellite operators."

Key to success
Space weather events such as solar flares can shorten the life expectancy of operating satellites. Ground stations that track the satellites may also suffer if navigational data such as Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals are corrupted, leading to signal timing and position errors. The effects of ionization in Earth’s atmosphere leading to communications data scatter, interruption or loss are well documented.

Metlay emphasized that “space weather factors are crucial to address when developing an ICSSA program and expertise in space weather is key to its success”.

Secure World Foundation (SWF) encourages the development of an international civil SSA program that includes space weather considerations. Governance, security and user-oriented issues must be addressed as well as a comprehensive scheme for funding and operating the system.

In a wide-ranging review of current concerns, SWF Technical Consultant, Brian Weeden, concludes:

"Such an international civil space situational awareness system is not a dream. All of the essential technical elements exist and there is a demonstrated need. What is lacking is the political will on behalf of both private industry and States to come together and create what is truly needed."

Space Weather Workshop - SWF Operations Director Suzanne Metlay presents on Space Weather and SSA

2009-04-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Dr. Suzanne Metlay, Operations Director for Secure World Foundation ended the first day of the Space Weather Workshop with a talk entitled "Space Weather and International Space Situational Awareness." She began her talk by defining SSA and highlighting the need for it by citing the the Iridium 33-Cosmos 2251 collision earlier in the year.

Metlay then described how SSA serves as the foundation for debris mitigation, debris removal and space traffic management. The idea is to provide all space actors access to the tools needed for safe and sustainable used of outer space. She then went on to differentiate civil SSA from military SSA by describing civil SSA as more focused on positional data whereas military SSA requires much more data such as mission objectives and the nature of sensors or transponders.

Metlay pointed out that SSA data is collected by the DoD (via the Space Surveillance Network), the International Scientific Optical Observation Network (ISON) and other sources, which can then be filtered through a data clearing house for owner-operators. On such system is called SOCRATES-GEO (an example of processing and standardizing raw data on GEO satellites for owner-operators, provided by the Center for Space Standards and Innovation). The idea, ultimately, is to eventually produce a SOCRATES-type system for all Earth orbital regimes (a central data center, for example).

Space Weather Workshop - Space Weather and Satellite Operations

2009-04-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Today's afternoon session focuses on space weather and satellite operations, beginning with a presentation by Michael Bodeau of Northrup Grumman on the matter of deep charging among GEO satellites. Jeff Cassidy of Global Aerospace followed with a discussion on satellite insurance. Cassidy first described the satellite insurance industry; the industry is worldwide with risks typically shared among many insurers. Worldwide premium ranged from $600 million to $1 billion peer year. Satellite insurance is considered "catastrophic" by the insurance sector, and coverage is broken into launch phase, post-separation through end of in-orbit testing (IOT) and in-orbit.

Cassidy then discussed the satellite anomaly database, which contains information on 562 satellites through 2002. Data is collected from public sector and two decades of satellite health reports. The data collection process ceased in 2002 due to ITAR concerns, and a scrubbed version was made available to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). However, the data is limited and therefore statistical validity is an issue. The database is generally used for evaluating failure history for insurance underwriting and is focused on measuring percentage of loss capacity; data includes satellite name, date of anomaly, manufacturer, model, affected subsystem, etc. Ten percent of anomalies result in loss of capacity, mostly due to power subsystem issues. Findings include: 1) Payload electrical power systems are drivers for loss of capacity, 2) most serious anomalies are in the subsystems, 3) anecdotal evidence of periodic recurrence of certain types of anomalies, and 4) potential exists to overlay anomaly data with space environmental data.

Orbital debris was also discussed in the context of insurance briefly; the risk is very small, but there is concern that the number of impact from debris is increasing. Still, from Cassidy's perspective, launch is issue number one, with mission operations second. Orbital debris is considered a third priority.

An article in Aviation Week & Space Technology (April 13, 2009, page 38-39) also addresses insurance issues related to orbital debris. The article states that "premiums have outstripped claims for six of the past seven years and are expected to do so again this year. This has kept insurer margins high, as the five-year cumulative gross margin indicates, and attracted plenty of capacity, keeping rates low." The insurance industry finished 2008 with $930 million in gross premiums and claims of less than $320 million. Orbital debris is considered a growing problem, as Cassidy indicated, with about $1 billion worth of insured satellites in LEO (particularly between 500-1,000 kilometers). GEO is also a worrisome issue, with the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) pointing out that there are 94 "rogue drifter satellites" in the active GEO belt. There is little in terms of a legal context to help owner/operators identify satellites or debris when it comes to insurance claims and assign liability. Third-party liability, according to the AW&ST article, "is available for damage caused by a third party in the course of routine launch and satellite orbital operations." Still, there are very few satellites that have this kind of coverage. While the risk of damage caused by orbital debris is less that of launch failure or subsystem failure, "more accurate data" about the space environment (i.e., civil space situational awareness) is cited as a requirement to address this growing problem.

Dave Chenette of Lockheed Martin presented on the importance of space weather to satellite operations. His talk focused mainly on how Lockheed depends on short-term forecasts and near real time space weather measurements. A discussion on how models are applied with these data to plan and execute on-orbit operations followed. Chenette emphasized the need for real-time space weather data, from launch to satellite operations. In short, short-term space weather prediction models are required for mission planning, combined with real-time knowledge to support SSA and inform anomaly response. Models currently being used include the Relativistic Electron Forecast Model (for GEO) and the Costello Geomagnetic Activity Index.

Space Weather Workshop - Air Force Weather

2009-04-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Dr. Fred Lewis of Air Force Weather presented on the subjects of space situational awareness, space weather impacts, the AF space weather roadmap and the way ahead for the Air Force on these matters. There has been significant cooperation with several agencies on space-based space weather sensors (AF Space Command and AF/A30-S/W). Lewis went on to describe the space weather information flow, especially as this supports the warfighter in the field. He also described how space weather impacts the warfighter.

According to Lewis, space-based weather sensors are on-track with AFSPC to have ACE up by 2016-2018. Current ground-based sensors need upgrades or replacement (ionosphere and solar observing), but status is pending on how to deal with this. The objective, however, is to field much higher resolution sensors. Space environment models, working with NASA, AFRL, NRL, NSF and others is under way, using actual data to develop impact calculations. Lewis did say there is progress on NPOESS regarding the lost sensors, but did not go into detail on this dubious program.

In sum, efforts are ramping up in anticipation of the solar maximum sometime in 2013.

Space Weather Workshop - Aviation and space weather

2009-04-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Robert Maxson (NOAA/NWS/Aviation Weather Center) presented first during the Space Weather Workshop being held in Boulder, Colorado this week. Of particular interest to Secure World Foundation was his brief comment on the reliability of GPS for air navigation during peak solar radiation periods. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in partnership with several other agencies, is working to make GPS the primary navigation input for air traffic control by about 2035 or so. However, a ground infrastructure will remain as supplemental navigation system. Also discussed was radiation hazards for aircrews and passengers. Polar flights (discussed later) are expected to increase in coming years, presenting new problems since the radiation exposure in polar regions is double that of a flight at the same altitude at the equator.

Cecilia Miner (NOAA/NWS/Aviation Services) also reiterated the GPS issue within the context of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. This system will include an integrated and nationally consistent common weather picture for observation and navigation; a net-centric capability to facilitate communication and provide a virtual repository of data; and direct integration of weather (including space weather) information into operational decision-making process. These will be manifested in something called a 4-Dimensional Weather Cube (three volume dimensions plus time). Initial operational capability of the 4D Cube is expected in 2013. Immediate capability planned for 2016, with full operational capability in 2022. Fielding of the Next Generation Air Transportation System is planned for 2025 - with primary GPS air traffic navigation in place by 2032-2035. The FAA is also dealing with integration of air traffic control (ATC) and space traffic management, pursued because of the expected increase in commercial suborbital flights. This, however, was not discussed during Miner's talk.

The bottom line is that GPS and space weather will be integral components of the next generation air traffic management system. These will also play a crucial role in space traffic management, together with space situational awareness and orbital debris characterization. It is important to note, however, that STM has not yet been defined in any way; rather, it is evident what sorts of information will be required for safe and sustainable operations in space.

Bryn Jones of SolarMetrics presented on the general subject of space weather requirements, with emphasis on activities to address this issue via the Cross Polar Working Group. The CPWG provides a forum to improve air traffic services for aircraft transitioning polar and Russian Far East airspace and includes representatives from Russia, Canada, Iceland, U.S. (FAA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), among others. Bottom line here is the desire to have real-time radiation exposure data fed to aircrews while inflight. Note also that communications during portions of polar flights cannot be reliably supported by satellites in GEO; instead, HF is used in daylight or ground infrastructure is used when aircraft are not in the GEO satellites' line of sight. GPS signals are also apparently not always accurate on parts of polar routes.

Mike Stills of United Airlines discussed polar aviation operations and space weather. According to Stills, there were only 368 transpolar flights in 2000. In 2008, this ballooned to 7,999 such flights (United flies most of these polar flights). He highlighted the problems of intense space weather outbreaks on polar air operations and what sorts of processes can help mitigate the impact of hazardous space weather. Polar operations are defined as flights conducted above 78N latitude. Commercial polar fights are not conducted above 78S. Challenges include space weather, colder temperatures, lack of diversion services (not many emergency options in terms of landing sites) and communications.

Ian Getley of Quantas Airlines presented next on the "Evaluation of New Cosmic Radiation Monitors Designed for Aircrew Exposure Assessment." Following his talk was one delivered by Matthias Meier of the German Aerospace Center, who spoke on the subject of dose rate measurements at aviation altitudes during the past solar minimum (March 2006 to August 2008). Closing out thee morning session was Chris Mertens of NASA Langley, who presented on "NAIRAS Prediction of Aircraft Radiation Exposure During a High-energy Solar Energetic Particle Event in October 2003." Though interesting, no details of these talks are provided here since their relationship to SWF agenda items is not immediately apparent.

Better Data Needed To Enhance Civil and Commercial Spaceflight

2009-04-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

Secure World Foundation called today for improvements in satellite situational awareness for all that use the global commons of outer space to carry out a wide variety of services and to further scientific knowledge.

The Foundation believes that the long term sustainability of outer space activities will in time require a broad international approach to space situational awareness.

This call to action has been recently highlighted due to collisions between objects in orbit – events that not only lead to potential disruptions in services but also leave debris in orbit. This debris raises the economic costs of future operations in space by increasing the measures satellite operators must take to protect their assets.

This issue and key recommendations by Secure World Foundation were submitted today in a written statement before the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.

The hearing before the subcommittee focused on "Keeping the Space Environment Safe for Civil and Commercial Users".

Unavoidable first step
In order to continue to reap the substantial benefits provided by activities in Earth orbit, the United States will need to find a satisfactory way to enhance space situational awareness.

In its written statement, Secure World Foundation noted that:

"If we desire to continue to reap the immense benefits that space can provide, we must take steps to preserve the Earth’s orbital environment. A key concern is the threat of loss of utility of key orbits because of a proliferation of space debris. The unavoidable first step to this preservation is to determine what is in Earth orbit and where it is going: space situational awareness (SSA)."

For U.S. strategic, commercial, civil and scientific objectives, improved SSA of all parties is essential to ensure the viability of U.S. interests in space in the long-term.

Access to SSA information, along with the capacity to interpret it for all space actors - both emerging and developed -- can significantly enhance the safety of U.S. space assets. Improved operational practices through SSA will hopefully help to prevent future collisions and other debris causing incidents.

However, as noted in Secure World Foundation’s statement: "Unfortunately, most actors in space do not have the resources or capacity to provide their own space situational awareness information necessary to make safe and secure decisions regarding activities in space. The few States that do have the resources to provide this information are often limited by national security or military restrictions from sharing it with other actors."

Significant limitations
The United States military currently has the world’s best SSA network. Still, this network has significant limitations as a result of the lack of coverage in areas where the United States does not have a presence.

Secure World Foundation points out that, from an organizational perspective, this network does not currently have the financial resources, capacity or requirement to provide the necessary SSA data and resources for civil and commercial purposes globally.

While upgrades to this network are planned and underway by the U.S. military they are subject to fiscal constraints that may cause delays or reductions in desired capabilities.

In its written statement, Secure World Foundation observes that the United States is not alone in its capacity to provide SSA data. Many other States possess a limited SSA capability, usually not more than a few radar or optical telescopes.

Taken separately, these sensors only provide spot coverage and very limited capacity. However, if the data from these existing sensors were combined, they would provide a large fraction of the capabilities necessary for global coverage.

International data sharing
Thus, Secure World Foundation feels that some level of international data sharing would increase SSA capacity without the expense of building additional sensors.

"In addition to global sensor coverage, SSA must include data from commercial satellite owner-operators, as they have positional data on their satellites that is more accurate than any ground-based sensor could obtain," SWF's statement explains.

"These commercial operators have very precise information about the locations of their own satellites, but little to no information about other satellites, dead satellites and other pieces of debris that float through their slots. Their positional data complements the ground-based tracking of debris and also reduces the workload requirements for the tracking networks, freeing up capacity to focus on inactive satellites and debris."

Key points raised in SWF’s written statement:

• SSA is vital to the continued long term use and sustainability of Earth orbit.
• There are civil and commercial requirements and uses for SSA data. The U.S. military currently does not have the resources to provide this service.
• An SSA system needs to combine multiple data sources, including ground and space-based sensors, satellite owner-operators, and space weather data.
• While some elements of the SSA system can and should be done unilaterally, there are multiple options for international participation and engagement.
• The key benefit to international participation in SSA is greater capability for relatively low cost, by combining existing sensors and data sources.

Blogs of note

2009-04-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

For those interested on what's going on at the 1st IAA Planetary Defence Conference in Granada, Spain, this live blog is provided.

A new Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) blog has been created, a place where you can learn about and have real input into the policymaking process as it relates to science and technology.

Planetary Defense Conference: Protecting Earth from Asteroids, Comets

2009-04-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

World experts are gathering this week to assess methods, including political, legal and policy issues, to protect our planet from impacts by asteroids and comets. Image: Phil Smith, courtesy of SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc.

Today, there are some 900 asteroids and comets that are designated Potentially Hazardous Objects - objects large enough that could eventually threaten Earth. Evidence is building that impacts by asteroids and comets are not uncommon. Indeed, relatively small objects can cause local and regional disasters.

The meeting of worldwide authorities April 27-30 in Granada, Spain signals the first International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference that will detail the safeguarding of Earth from asteroids.

"The Planetary Defense Conference is the premier international venue for sharing scientific research on Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and to examine possible mitigation strategies for those objects that may threaten Earth’s inhabitants," said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation.

Secure World Foundation (SWF) is pleased to be able to co-sponsor this important four-day conference.

"Because a NEO strike is an international problem, mitigating NEOs will require international decision making and international action, and this conference provides much of the information needed to take action," Williamson said.

Williamson, along with Brian Weeden, SWF’s technical consultant, will present at the conference: The NEO Primer: A Tool for Collaboration, Communication, and Outreach.

Deflecting a threatening object
This week’s conference will feature expert discussion of various topics, to help broaden the knowledge base and increase the range of scientific disciplines involved in planetary defense, such as:

* Detecting and tracking asteroids and comets that might be hazardous to our planet,
* Characteristics of these objects,
* Deflecting a threatening object should one be detected,
* The nature of impact disasters, and political, legal and policy issues that must be considered as part of an overall mitigation strategy.

"This meeting will provide attendees with the current state-of-the-art in planetary defense," said Dr. William Ailor, co-chair of the conference and an employee of The Aerospace Corporation. He is also a member of SWF's Advisory Committee.

"Experts from all over the world will share their knowledge on asteroids and comets, on techniques that could be used to deflect a threatening object," Ailor added, "and on political and policy issues that could affect our decision to mount a defensive effort."

Recent discoveries
Ailor said that as more sophisticated tools are used, "we are finding evidence that humanity has been affected by past impacts."

As example, Ailor observed that recent discoveries point to an asteroid impact in the Atlantic Ocean some 2,300 years ago as possible cause for a tsunami that washed up the Hudson River at that time.

And, while it hit in a remote area, an explosion linked to entry of an asteroid or comet leveled over 500 square miles of trees - an area larger than Washington, D.C. - in Siberia in 1908. Recently, an object of approximately the same size passed very close to our planet, Ailor said.

"It's just a matter of time until we will need to take some action to avoid a potential disaster," Ailor pointed out.

"We are gradually increasing public awareness and appreciation for the threat posed by these Near Earth Objects," Ailor said, but we are still early in our ability to mount a deflection campaign. We have techniques that can be used, but we can’t simply use a Space Shuttle to do the work, he said.

"We must act on a threatening object very far from Earth, so mounting a campaign will not be easy. This week's conference will highlight promising concepts to enhance our readiness for action," Ailor concluded.

For additional information on the International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference, go here.

NEO CONFERENCE - International/domestic law and NEOs

2009-04-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

The morning sessions of the second day of the NEO Conference being held at the University of Nebraska Lincoln focused on legal issues related to NEOs.

Dr. Maureen Williams (Professor of International Law at the University of Buenos Aires), Dr. Frans von der Dunk (Professor of Space Law at the University of Nebraska Lincoln) and Leslie Tennen (Attorney at Law for Sterns & Tennen) each described legal concerns from the international perspective. Among the more interesting subjects discussed was the international legal considerations of private-public interaction of dealing with NEOs. For example, how might private entities dedicated to mining asteroid resources work with governmental agencies or the UN when it comes to NEO detection and deflection requirements.

Joanne Gabrynowicz (Director of the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi) followed with a talk on US domestic law and regulation relevant to exploiting NEOs, especially focusing on the current state of the law. Areas within the space industry that serve as important inputs to NEO legal considerations include launch, remote sensing and tourism markets, which all require some sort of licensing regime (FAA for commercial launch and suborbital vehicles, and NOAA for commercial remote sensing). NEO regulation, which does not exist currently, will be informed by these other industries, at least at the beginning.

Gabrynowicz also pointed out the importance of looking to international law to inform how the US might deal with NEO regulation. She also discussed liability, a major issue related to insurance, for example. There is much that already exists in terms of US tort law that can be used as a basis for figuring out how liability might be applied to NEO regulation, which applies especially if a NEO deflection effort fails. In her discussion, she pointed out that in the legal community, "commercial" and "private" are not interchangeable, and that contracts will need to be very precise in terms of apportionment, joint and several liability, and indemnification, among other things. Definitions on nature of the risk will also need to be clearly defined; is NEO deflection an "ultra-hazardous" activity, for example? Informing the answer to this question is the fact that NEO deflection is an "uncommon activity."

Government contractor defense was also discussed as an issue of importance in NEO regulation; that is, if a contractor follows the letter of a contract and something goes wrong, they are not liable, the government is. Malfeasance, misconduct, or any criminal act are exceptions, of course. Gabrynowicz pointed out that there is no defined minimum care owed under "best efforts" standards when it comes to NEO detection and deflection. Other issues highlighted: Can government space operations using nuclear material be enjoined? The US is not liable for on-duty injury of military negligence of others in the armed forces - will this be an issue in NEO regulation? The US Government is also strictly liable for harm caused by defective raw data - something definitely an issue when it comes to NEO detection. Can individuals or companies claim celestial bodies (the US State Department says no, according to at least one official statement)? Does the "Good Samaritan" doctrine apply? Is US mining law relevant when it comes to NEO regulation? What of environmental law, military-civilian cooperation, humanitarian legal obligations, US Government responsibility regarding public health and safety, and national jurisdiction relative to legal commons? Much work clearly remains beyond the significant technical challenges.

NEO CONFERENCE - Analysis of proposed NEO mitigation methods

2009-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Agnieszcka Lukaszczyk presented on the subject of "Move On Asteroid 2008 Competition" sponsored by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). Lukaszczyk was an Executive Officer of SGAC before working for SWF as a Space Policy Consultant, but continues too represent SGAC at various functions.

Lukaszczyk focused on the legal and policy implications of the technical entries to the Move On Asteroid 2008 Competition. In order to do this, a Legal Degree of Difficulty (LD2) was developed, a metric from 1 to 5, with 5 being very difficult to implement from a legal standpoint. A Lincoln Scale was also developed, focusing on the public willingness to support a given mitigation solution (1 to 100, with 100 being total support). Lukaszczyk also introduced the Move on Asteroid 2009 Competition.

SGAC also pursues surveys conducted on a regular basis. Its surveys, conducted via Internet, reveal a bias toward industrialized nations with Internet access, with over half of the respondents considering themselves space professionals. Most surveyed know what NEOs are, and most are concerned about NEOs.The surveys also reveal that about two out of three respondents believe the NEO threat to be "Medium." Again, most know that there are many options being considered for detecting and deflecting NEOs, with the overwhelming majority having a desire to actively remove a NEO threat. Finally, about 75 percent of respondents knew that there was no international regime for handling NEOs, with the majority of the total pool believing that NEOs are a global problem requiring international cooperation.

Dr. Lou Friedman, Executive Director of The Planetary Society, mentioned that a recent poll conducted by his organization revealed a very strong interest aomng members in dealing with NEOs. Apparently, such strong interest was not apparent in past polling.

Ben Baseley-Walker, SWF Law and Policy Consultant, discussed different institutional models for NEO response, including key questions like organizational proliferation (strong move in political community to counter this proliferation) and legitimacy (concern for credibility and relevance, a special challenge for NEO-related mitigation efforts). Other issues regarding how the international community should deal with the NEO threat involve "majority rule" or consensus, approaches which have strengths and weakness and becomes more an issue of appropriateness of application.

Baseley-Walker also highlighted the need for "branding" the NEO threat problem; that this is a crisis situation in which those who decide to deal with the crisis will not be technical experts but will instead by politicians. This means the NEO threat community will need to be well-versed on matters of politics and diplomatic sensitivities. Key political questions include: What if mitigation effort goes awry? Will the effort result in armed conflict? If a key State is on a collision course, do we run the risk of unilateral action being taken? Should the matter be handled by the UN or some other organizational structure? Baseley-walker also suggests that the international humanitarian law arena might provide insight on such matters.

Finally, Baseley-Walker generally assessed the ASE NEO Report recommendations in terms of international policy challenges, including definition of "space-faring States," consensus versus majority decision-making and mitigation sensitivities (such as use of nuclear detonators), among other concerns.

Bottom line, according to Baseley-Walker, "How do you make the NEO issue relevant?" This is an especially salient point during a time of global economic and political difficulty.

NEO CONFERENCE - Legal, policy and institutional aspects of NEO threat mitigation

2009-04-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Dr. Lou Friedman, Executive Director of The Planetary Society, moderated a panel entitled "Legal, Policy and Institutional Aspects of NEO Threat Mitigation." The panel featured Dr. Ray Williamson (SWF Executive Director), Ben Baseley-Walker (SWF Legal and Policy Consultant), Agnieszka Lukaszczyk (SWF Space Policy Consultant) and Walther Lichem (former Austrian ambassador).

Ambassador Lichem spoke on the subject of legal and institutional implications of asteroid threat mitigation operations policy, specifically on responsibilities and liabilities. Lichem pointed out that the UN Charter should be seen as the "constitutional cornerstone" when thinking about matters related to space governance; that is, it is the source of key principles that can inform the approach to space security issues like NEO threat mitigation. He also highlighted how national space policies and actions are actually multilateral concerns, that space security matters like NEO detection and deflection are necessarily global concerns. Instruments like the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention, to name a few, are a step below the UN Charter in terms of abstraction, providing structure and process to space security while also providing cooperative regimes. Such cooperation help facilitate work on other space security priorities like NEO threat mitigation.

Regarding NEO threats, States Parties to the Outer Space Treaty, under Article 11, are required "to inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as the public and the international scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct, locations and results of such activities. On receiving the said information, the Secretary-General of the United Nations should be prepared to disseminate it immediately and effectively." This means that the US, for example, must share any data regarding NEO threats to the best of its ability. However, how this is done remains unclear, and indeed the ASE Report provides general recommendations on how to institutionalize this process. In addition, UN Charter Article 52 preserves a State's right to self defense, which includes NEO threat mitigation. Again, cooperation on this matter is critical. In the end, Lichem advocates the principle of the responsibility to protect - States have a fundamental responsibility to protect the fundamental right to life, and this includes threats posed by NEOs. If a States cannot provide this protect, the international community has a subordinate responsibility to fill this gap, and thus the NEO threat requires global cooperation.

Dr. Williamson discussed the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in NEO threat mitigation. Williamson was reminded by Lichem that NGOs played a key role in revolutions in international cooperation. This served in setting the tone for how to think about NGOs and their role in NEO detection and deflection. Following a description of what an NGO is (a legally established organization with no participation or representation in government), Williamson explained that NGOs fill niches not explored by governments, and that they can do so without the limitations often imposed by governmental policy or regulation. NGOs serve as a voice of citizens and organizations, and attempt to influence policies on the domestic or international level. Typically, NGOs influence according to two diplomatic tracks: Track 1 diplomacy is government to government, whereas Track 2 diplomacy is within the NGO community.

Indeed, the NEO conference taking place today counts six NGOs among those participating, working in partnership with corporate and government representatives. These include SWF, the International Academy of Astronautics, the Association of Space Explorers, The Planetary Society, the International Law Association and the International Astronautical Federation. Williamson wondered if perhaps a Track 3 diplomacy might be necessary, one in which NGOs work with government representatives directly.

One audience member asked if all NGOs are non-profit organizations (NPOs) - it was generally agreed that this is understood. Lichem pointed out that the agenda of an NGO is by definition focused on the common good, and a for-profit agenda can be contrary to this objective. NGOs serve a general interface role between civil society and governmental structures.

NEO CONFERENCE - COPUOS Action Team-14 status

2009-04-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Dr. Sergio Camacho, Secretary General of the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC) presented on the subject of Action Team-14, a group established within the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for purposes of addressing the NEO threat.

Dr. Camacho described how the UN, COPUOS, and Action Team-14 functions, particularly how matters related to the NEO threat will likely be addressed within the UN bureaucracy.

The NEO issue became a UN matter in 1999 with the adoption of UNISPACE III recommendations. COPUOS then looked for a mechanism to address the matter, and after a year of discussion, in 2001, formed Action Team-14 within the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS (though at the time, "Action Team" was not the official designation). Thirty-three recommendations from UNISPACE III, it turns out, ultimately served as the impetus for the establishment of several action teams.

Action Team-14 followed its work according to two phases: an Assessment Phase and an Implementation Phase. In the Assessment Phase, Action Team-14 assessed existing intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) capable of addressing the NEO threat. An interim report was submitted to the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee during its 2009 Session, where, in fact, the NEO Report recommendations by the Association of Space Explorers mentioned earlier in today's conference were presented. In fact, the ASE Report was identified as an ideal foundation for further work. Among other things, the Action Team-14 interim report also included NASA's new objective to scan the skies for NEOs by 2020. In the end, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee formally endorsed the work being conducted by Action Team-14, a critical step in insuring that further international coordination on NEOs continues.

Action Team-14 will develop draft recommendations for the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee on the international response to the NEO threat by 2010. If endorsed by the Subcommittee, the recommendations pass on for consideration by COPUOS. If COPUOS endorses the recommendations, they move on to the UN General Assembly for consideration.

Dr. Adigun Ade Abiodun of Nigeria (UN Expert on Space Applications) asked about the role of the COPUOS Legal Subcommittee role in this regard; that is, would the work of Action Team-14 need to go through the Legal Subcommittee in addition to the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee before being formally presented to COPUOS? Dr. Camacho indicated this is not necessarily the case. In point of fact, the Legal Subcommittee has not worked on the NEO matter in any substantial way, at least not yet. The concern is that because of this situation, coordination is necessary. It was also asked if the orbital debris mitigation efforts being undertaken my both subcommittees is a model. Dr. Camacho indicated that this would not be a good template, mainly because there was much opposition to including mitigation of orbital debris as an agenda item, whereas the NEO threat is largely supported. Further, Dr. Ray Williamson (SWF Executive Director) pointed out that in the orbital debris instance, the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is a different sort of NGO than ASE, whose report is being considered the foundation for further NEO work. In the former case, the IADC proposed voluntary guidelines were formally adopted by COPUOS in 2007. Finally, Rusty Schweickart pointed out that the IADC guidelines are much more specific that the recommendations presented int he ASE Report, meaning the NEO effort is not as controversial.

The Implementation Phase, of course, remains as a future objective.

NEO CONFERENCE - International Academy of Astronautics

2009-04-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jean-Michel Contant, Secretary General of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), founded in 1960 by Dr. Theodore von Kármán, presented the IAA Report on NEO detection, tracking and deflection, completed in December 2008.

The report describes the technological challenges and requirements for detection and tracking of NEOs, identifying technologies that can be used for detection and deflection, assessments of the risks (response depends on threat) and the need for a globally coordinated response plan. Details on how to establish the latter, however, remains undefined.

The role of IAA vis-a-vis NEOs is to promulgate comprehensive, accurate information about the NEO threat and sponsor international workshops to examine any or all technical, social, or policy aspects of NEO problem, among other things.

NEO CONFERENCE: The NEO Report from Association of Space Explorers

2009-04-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Dr. Tom Jones presented a talk entitled "The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) NEO Report and Onwards." Discussion included origins of the report, details on the workshops, coordination with the UN and other related matters.

Tom introduced his talk by asking the question on why work on NEO detection and deflection is necessary. He referred back to Rusty's talk, but also elaborated on the challenge of managing the flood of expected NEO discoveries and the likelihood of decisions required for detection and deflection. Also, there is a need for a "Mission Rules" paradigm to ensure that decisions made regarding NEO detection, tracking and deflection are made efficiently and effectively.

There is a need for global response to NEOs, but the challenges are not trivial. Examples include: The coming "avalanche" of discoveries of potentially hazardous NEOs is expected, space technology is such that detection and deflection is possible, deflection techniques shift risks to different populations, planning takes decades, decision frequency much higher than impact frequency, decision often required before impact confidence is high, and lack of planning risks delay, panic and missed opportunities.

ASE established a NEO committee following Rusty Schweickart's recommendation. ASE's observer status at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) provided a window to introduce and elaborate the NEO problem to the international community via a legitimate and credible mechanism. ASE also has membership on Action Team-14, a working group within the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee dedicated to NEOs. The Secure World Foundation also has observer status at COPUOS as well as membership on Action Team-14, and is a key partner with ASE on the matter of NEOs.

ASE sponsored a series of workshops bringing together experts in NEOs across the board, from technology, science and policy. These workshops culminated in the authorship of a report, which was subsequently formally presented to COPUOS in February 2009. The year is now dedicated to making stakeholders, decision-makers and the public aware of the report's conclusions and recommendations. There are, however, many outstanding issues that require resolution.

The report essentially recommends that the United nations Security Council establish a functional system to address NEOs, rather than establishing new facilities and a new bureaucracy. A Mission Authorization and Oversight Council (MAOC) would have UN oversight, address policy issues and manage the two functions under its oversight authority. These two functions include the Information Analysis and Warning Network (IAWN) and the Mission Planning and Operations Group (MPOC). The IAWN would handle detection, tracking and warning, whereas the MPOC would focus on deflection, guided by a Mission Plan already established in order to increase decision-making time and effectiveness of response.

Costs involved are considered extremely moderate, especially when the costs of doing nothing could be catastrophic.

Current status is that recently widely observed and reported NEO events have increased awareness, and ASE successfully presented the NEO report, in partnership with SWF, to COPUOS earlier in the year. A campaign to have COPUOS formally adopt the recommendations of the report is the current effort, with ASE, the B612 Foundation, and COPUOS Action Team-14 continuing to work on NEO issues indefinitely.

In sum, according to Rusty Schweickart, "We are driving around the Solar System without insurance."

NEO CONFERENCE - Rusty Schweickart

2009-04-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Rusty Schweickart, founder of the B612 Foundation and member of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), introduced the problem of near Earth objects, focusing his talk mainly on what they are and how we might respond to them from a technological point of view. He concluded his presentation by also introducing the geopolitical issues involved. ASE, whose membership is limited to those who have actually traveled into space, focuses on the geopolitical, legal and decision-making issues related to NEOs. The B612 Foundation, meanwhile, focuses on the technologies related to NEO deflection.

Rusty described the number and distribution of NEOs. There are about 100,000 NEOs greater that 140 meters, and about 1,000 NEOs greater than one kilometer. These are statistical derivations, but close to actual observations - observations suggest that the statistical numbers are higher than actual. So far, NASA's Spaceguard has discovered about 82 percent of the latter group of NEOs (one km or larger). NASA has recently been directed to identify 90 percent of NEOs 140 meters and larger by 2020. It will probably not be able to make this goal due to various issues, but the effort is still important because it will contribute greatly to the database. Still, it is important to realize that 40-45 meter objects make major impact events, but telescopes are not capable of finding most of these until it is too late. There are about 1 million such objects and are not easily tracked. Tunguska was about 3-5 megatons, and fit into this category of "small" NEOs. Such an impact could devastate a large modern city.

There are three issues to address when it comes to NEOs: 1) What is out there? 2) How do we deal with the from a technological point of view, and 3) How do we decide to deal with them?

The NASA Spaceguard survey deals with #1. However, it needs to be made more robust in order to handle NEOs one kilometer and smaller. So far, there are 6,212 NEOs cataloged (as of April 22) and about 857 one kilometer and larger. Those with a non-zero probability of impact with Earth: ~246. This means that 246 NEOs may impact Earth at some point. The numbers change daily as data comes in. The survey needs to be better, and huge improvements are expected in terms of numbers by 2020 as telescopes come on line due to new NASA mandate.

The B612 Foundation and others are working on #2. Kinetic impact, or hitting the asteroid, constitutes a primary deflection capability. A gravity tractor can then "fine tune" such a deflection (secondary deflection). A nuclear missile can theoretically be used to superheat on side of a NEO that comes dangerously close to Earth in an effort to deflect the object. The secondary deflection also serves to ensure that the NEO does not pass through a "keyhole", which are gravitationally defined slots that define an orbit in which the NEO will impact Earth at some point in the future.

According to Rusty, “we currently depend on probabilities, since we do not have accurate measurements. The result is early warning is vague and uncertain.” Orbits, he said, we tend to know very well. Where the asteroid is in that orbit, however, is not always known accurately.

Finally #3 deals with the geopolitical matter of deflection decision, disaster mitigation and management. Details on this is discussed later in the conference. Questions include: How do we decide to deal with NEOs? How do we manage disasters when we miss a NEO? Which way to deflect? Who spends the money? How to ensure fast decision? These are reasons for working with the United Nations, which has existing fora to discuss these matters.

Rusty bottom lined it like this: "We currently have one eye open when it comes to detecting and tracking NEOs. The easiest thing to do is to close both eyes. It's also the cheapest. Procrastinating on a decision is tantamount to closing both eyes. Today, the effort is to open the other eye - to have both eyes open.”

Space Deterrence Concept of Increasing Relevance to Security of U.S. Space

2009-04-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Space is becoming ever more important to U.S. military and commercial activities. The increasing reliance of the United States on space for economic and military power has amplified the incentive for potential adversaries to exploit the inherent vulnerabilities of space assets.

As a result, analysts are revisiting deterrence concepts in a space context as one possible strategy to enhance U.S. security in this regard.

Last month, Secure World Foundation, in cooperation with the Naval Postgraduate School, the Air Force’s National Space Studies Center, and George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, held a workshop in Washington, D.C. That workshop brought together a core group of policy and strategic thinkers to discuss key lessons, impacts and points to bear in mind when thinking about space deterrence.

Workshop topics ranged from the analysis of deterrence as a viable strategy, to the threat to space assets and key policy aspects of deterrence.

Face of 21st century deterrence
A fundamental workshop observation is that the U.S. faces the key issue of what the face of 21st century deterrence might look like. In a post-Cold War era, the number, range, and variety of players has increased significantly, and space is perhaps the most globalized of political and military arenas. As such, there is much debate as to what the face of deterrence for space should look like, and how large a role it should play in overall US strategic thinking in protection its space assets.

"Maturing the discussion of space deterrence is important because deterrence ultimately provides the best protection of space and enhances U.S. national security," says Colonel Sean McClung, Director of the National Space Studies Center at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

McClung adds: "Successful space deterrence can prevent conflicts that create massive debris fields and result in a universal inability to effectively use the space environment."

Other events on this topic, most notably those of the National Defense University and the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies, highlight the currency of this theme and its consideration by the upper echelons of political and military thinkers.

Denial deterrence
Dean Cheng, a Senior Asia Analyst with CNA, gave a critical talk on the Chinese perspective on the concept of deterrence. “Where the Western conception of deterrence is one that focuses on dissuasion and rejects a role for deterrence in coercion, the Chinese one apparently incorporates both dissuasion and coercion,” Cheng said, “thus allowing strategic goals to be achieved without actual conflict.”

Brian Weeden, Secure World Foundation’s (SWF) technical expert, discussed the use of denial deterrence to protect critical space assets from kinetic attacks.

"Normally we think of deterrence as threat of force which dissuades someone from taking an action," says Weeden. "But denial deterrence seeks to eliminate any advantage an adversary would gain from taking an action, thus removing the incentive."

The key, according to Weeden, is to replace existing constellations containing a few large satellites with constellations consisting of larger numbers of redundant smaller satellites. That way, any physical attack that destroys one or two satellites only slightly degrades the capability of the entire constellation.

Important goals
A central point of the March 19-20 workshop held at George Washington University's Space Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. was the response to attack on space assets.

In other domains such as air and sea, there are usually clearly delineated rules and responses to an attack. But in space, the issue is much more complex, particularly because attacks on satellites usually don’t involve direct loss of human life.

"In some situations, attacking a satellite may be the most humane option a military commander has for achieving an objective," explains John Sheldon, a professor with the School for Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell AFB.

Other participants noted both the advantage and disadvantage of having predefined "red lines" that dictate certain levels of response to aggression against space assets. As more and more actors enter the space arena, protecting U.S. space assets in the broader picture of improved U.S. national security is essential.

Important goals include:

* Constructive engagement with other space players;
* Protecting the long-term sustainability of outer space activities; and
* Preventing possible conflict escalation in the space environment.

As such, the building of an effective and coherent space deterrence concept that is relevant for modern space activities, challenges and threats should be viewed as a key building block to improved U.S. national security, SWF’s Weeden concludes.

Alternatives to a space weapons treaty

2009-04-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Brian Weeden, Technical Consultant to Secure World Foundation, is the author of "Alternatives to a space weapons treaty" featured in the web edition of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Many advocate for a comprehensive treaty prohibiting the development and fielding of space weapons, while others support a comprehensive space security strategy that addresses the same concerns in an incremental way. Weeden's article highlights the difficulties inherent in both approaches and reminds readers that there are many different ways to handle complex and often controversial space security matters.

Key points in Weeden's article include the problem of defining space weapons in part due to the dual-use nature of the technologies involved and the problem of intent, the essence of international law, and the "building block" method to establishing an international space security regime. Current international cooperation on distinct areas of space security, including civil space situational awareness, mitigation of orbital debris, detection and deflection of near Earth objects, and the use of space assets to support human and environmental security means that, in time, a comprehensive system designed to ensure the safe, secure, sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space will eventually emerge.

Experts to Discuss Dangers, Legal Issues of Thwarting Threatening Near-Earth Objects

2009-04-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

A unique forum of experts from around the world is set to examine the dangers, prospects and legal issues of dealing with menacing Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).

The meeting, "Near-Earth Objects: Risks, Responses and Opportunities<" will take place April 23 and 24 at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The university's College of Law is hosting the conference that will examine the legal and institutional challenges of international protocols if large asteroids or other interplanetary objects come too close to Earth for comfort.

Secure World Foundation (SWF) is a co-sponsor of the event, in conjunction with the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and in partnership with the American Branch of the International Law Association.

"Examining how we, as an international community, develop a mechanism to make decisions on courses of action is a crucial building block in putting together an effective response to future NEO threats," said Ben Baseley-Walker, SWF's Legal and Policy Consultant.

"As a fundamentally global problem with profound potential geo-political implications should mitigation measures fail," Baseley-Walker added, "it is essential to find a consensus on an international decision-making forum and mechanism well in advance of a crisis situation involving a NEO threat."

Global framework
Near-Earth objects are an increasing area of concern among the world’s space scientists. Experts believe that over the next 15 years, advances in technology will lead to the detection of more than 500,000 NEOs – and of those, several dozen will likely pose an uncomfortably high risk of striking Earth and inflicting local or regional damage.

Taking part in the two-day program are members of a multinational committee who made recommendations last fall to the United Nations on establishing global framework to respond to NEO threats. That committee was commissioned by the ASE and chaired by former Apollo astronaut, Rusty Schweickart.

Frans von der Dunk, a leading academic in space law and professor of law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, serves on the international NEO committee. He said that existing space technology could deflect the vast majority of threatening asteroids.

But even after a threatening object may be discovered, no mechanism exists for effective international decision-making on how to deal with a threat, Von der Dunk added.

"It's so important we establish an international framework to make decisions as early and as quickly as possible," Von der Dunk said. "It's essential so that we can take effective action [to deal with a future threat]."

Public discussion

Astronaut Schweickart will hold a public discussion about protecting the Earth from future asteroid impacts April 22 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The former astronaut supports the development and testing of a spaceflight concept to protect the Earth from asteroid threats. Schweickart’s talk is set for 3 p.m. at the Van Brunt Visitors Center, 313 N. 13th St. This event is free and is open to the public.

For more information on this special conference, go here.

For media wishing to attend the two-day program, contact:

Steve Smith, National News Editor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Office of Communications
Phone: (402) 472-4226
Email: ssmith13@unl.edu

News coverage:
AstroEngine.com

North Korea's Recent Launch

2009-04-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

What follows are some thoughts on the recent North Korean launch, authored by Secure World Foundation Director of Washington Operations Victoria Samson. A pdf version of this article can be found here. Image of North Korea's launch of Unha-2 (upper left) as seen from space courtesy of DigitalGlobe.

On April 5, North Korea launched what it claimed was a rocket bearing a satellite. Much of the rest of the world suspected that it was a ballistic missile test in disguise. While the U.S. Space Surveillance Network has reported that the North Koreans failed to place a satellite on orbit, because detailed information about the launch is not available, there is much debate over what ended up taking place. Given the technical limitations of this test and North Korea’s ballistic missile program, there is strong evidence that its primary purpose likely was to send a political message, which must be factored in when the United States and other countries respond to this test.

Last Sunday was the third time that North Korea had attempted to launch a long-range rocket, and the third time that it had failed to do so. The first was in August 1998, when the multi-stage Taepo Dong-1 was supposed to place a satellite in orbit. In shades of this week’s events, it failed in what seems to be a very similar manner: the ignition and separation of the first two stages went smoothly, but the third stage failed. Also echoing events of this week, North Korean officials claimed in 1998 that the satellite payload made it into orbit and broadcast patriotic paeans to North Korea. The second flight test and failure came in July 2006, when the first Taepo Dong-2 blew up less than a minute after it left the launch pad.

In the most recent test, the Unha-2, which is thought to be a reworked version of the Taepo Dong-2, the first stage operated apparently without incident, and fell into the Sea of Japan as planned. However, the rest of flight unraveled fairly quickly. According to publicly available data, the payload failed to separate properly from the launch vehicle, and the entire rocket ended up in the Pacific Ocean (according to Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second and third stages plummeted into the ocean very near each other: “We can't tell how much, but they are very close together”).

It should be noted that the space launch vehicles and ballistic missiles are derived from the same basic rocket technologies: in fact, many U.S. launchers were originally developed from missiles. But the differences between them arise from the goal of placing a nuclear weapons payload in a ballistic (i.e., reentering) trajectory, versus the need to place a satellite payload in orbit. Launch trajectory, size, and number of stages all play a part in distinguishing the two different uses.

North Korea did achieve a few accomplishments with this flight test. It was able to fly a multi-stage ballistic missile just around 3800 kilometers (2400 miles),which was roughly in line with what it did in 1998; furthermore, from photos released of the rocket and its launch, the Unha-2 was bigger and more powerful than the Taepo Dong-1, and potentially used more complex engine technology. This test also garnered global attention away from the G-20 summit, and gave a not-too-subtle reminder to the new Barack Obama Administration that Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq are not the United States’ only security concerns. Finally, it solidified Kim Jong Il’s standing prior to Thursday’s meeting of the North Korean parliament, where he evidently plans to have himself reappointed as head of the National Defense Commission, and reasserted his authority despite rumors that he had a stroke last August.

From a technical perspective, however, this test did not prove a good advertisement for North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities, given that all three tests have ended in failure with apparently different root causes. It also raises the question of how North Korea intended to collect critical telemetry data on the rocket performance, since it is unlikely that North Korea had ships collecting data or radar stations tracking it once it went over the horizon from the launch pad. And if North Korea had no way to monitor its missile in-flight, it implies that they are not serious about building an operational long-range ballistic missile weapon system, but instead are using their scattershot approach to ballistic missile development as way in which to garner leverage needed for international fora like the Six Party Talks (which have been stalled since last December).

Japan and the United States did the majority of the outside tracking of the launch. Two Japanese Aegis ships, the Kongo and the Chokai, were fielded in the Sea of Japan to monitor the launch. (Both of those ships were also involved in Japan’s two attempts to shoot down a target with its ship-based missile defense system: the Kongo made an intercept in December 2007, but the Chokai missed in November 2008. Still, it indicates that Japan was at least thinking about the possibility that it might have to shoot something down from the North Korean launch.) The SPY-1 radar on the Kongo detected the launch, and several U.S. Defense System Program (DSP) satellites confirmed that it had occurred. Another Japanese ship, the Kirishima, was able to track the North Korean launch from a position about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) east of Japan in the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese were reported to have been able to track the launch until it had reached about 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) east of the Musudan-ri launch pad. It is unclear whether the Japanese forces were able to track the North Korea missile into the Pacific; it appears this was done by U.S. Aegis ships and satellites. The Sea-Based X-band radar, which has been built specifically to track North Korean missiles for the U.S. missile defense system but has only played limited roles in missile defense tests to date, was not used to follow this week’s launch; instead, it was undergoing yet more repairs.

The North Korean launch highlighted the often contradictory nature of international agreements and United Nations resolutions, which was roiled further in this case by the ambiguous wording regarding whether North Korea would be allowed to attempt space launches. For example, Pyongyang made at least a desultory effort to acknowledge existing international space law when planning this launch. It alerted the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Authority so that alerts could go out to mariners and aircraft to avoid the project splash-down areas for the first two stages and projected flight path. North Korea also officially became party to the Outer Space Treaty and Registration Convention, two important cornerstones of the peaceful uses of outer space. It reportedly even alerted Chinese, Russian and U.S. officials an hour prior to the launch. With these steps, North Korea at least paid face value to the international community before holding its launch. This acknowledgement indicates that North Korea does realize that there are international rules and regulations that must be followed and thus might be receptive to pressure in the future to be more open in meeting those rules.

Yet United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 explicitly forbids the work on ballistic missile and associated technology by North Korea. According to Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the missile launch thus "was in violation of international law." Much of this haze exists because of the similar (but not identical) nature of ballistic missile and space launch technologies. If North Korea truly had been working on a satellite launch vehicle, it could have avoided much of this suspicion by having international observers there to gather data, monitor the launch, and overall increase transparency on the issue. North Korea did not report its impending satellite launch and the broadcast frequencies it would be using to the International Telecommunication Union, which would have added weight to its assertion that a satellite was indeed being launched, not a ballistic missile.

The United Nations Security Council has taken up North Korea’s launch and is reported be close to releasing a statement that condemns it and pushes for sanctions, but nothing more than that - China and Russia are reluctant to go further.

While North Korea should not be allowed to disregard international measures of censure like United Nations Security Council statements, individual nations must not overreact to this latest launch. With a track record of zero for three spread out over a decade, and lacking serious re-entry vehicle and warhead testing, North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile program does not present an immediate threat. Nevertheless, it should certainly be closely monitored, and policy-makers should take that into consideration when deciding funding priorities during the upcoming budget debates. The United States and other countries should use this as an opportunity to put the Six Party Talks back on track, not as justification for increased spending on weapon systems that are of little use in strengthening overall national security.

Update on North Korean launch

2009-04-05T06:15:00.000-07:00

It appears that the North Korean launch may have been an attempt to place a satellite into orbit, but the effort has failed. The first and second stages of the vehicle apparently operated successfully, but the third stage did not, meaning the payload fell into the Pacific Ocean.

This is a similar outcome to a Taepodong-1 launch performed in 1998, which North Korea claims was a successful attempt to place a satellite into orbit. Western sources never confirmed this, and it is widely believed the launch failed. A Taepodong-2 launch was executed in 2006, and in this case the vehicle failed within a minute after first stage ignition.

The issue now is how the UN Security Council will react to the launch. The body meets today to discuss the matter.

North Korea conducts launch

2009-04-04T20:41:00.001-07:00

According to U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials, North Korea has conducted its much anticipated launch from the Musudan-ri site. The nature of the launch remains unclear, though North Korea has consistently said it planned to launch an Unha-2 rocket carrying Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite. The Australian reports that South Korean presidential spokesman Lee Dong-Kwan said the vehicle appeared to have carried a satellite. The launch took place at 10:30PM EDT Saturday. According to The Japan Times, there was a false alarm issued by the Japanese government earlier today. This latest announcement, however, has been confirmed by the U.S. State Department and the government of South Korea. Image: AP.

The U.S., Japan, and South Korea believe that any launch conducted by North Korea, regardless of mission, is a violation of United Nations Resolutions 1695 and 1718. Japan did not attempt an intercept (it had indicated it would intercept any debris from the vehicle that it would find threatening) and has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The request has been granted, and the Security Council will be meeting later today to address the matter.

An interesting image from AFP showing people watching South Korean news on the launch is provided below:

More information regarding the possible nature of the vehicle can be found here and here. Useful data can also be found at AGI. More details as they become available.

The Korea Herald
China Daily
Xinhua
MSNBC
CNN
Reuters
New York Times

SWF Executive Director and President contributed to just released 2008 UNIDIR Conference Report

2009-04-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

SWF Executive Director Dr. Ray Williamson and SWF President Cynda Collins Arsenault co-authored an article entitled "Achieving a Sustainable Space Environment" as part of the Security in Space: The Next Generation Conference organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). The conference, held from March 31 to April 1, 2008 was co-sponsored by SWF and the Simons Foundation.

Dr. Marshall Kaplan of Johns Hopkins Discusses Debris Removal Options

2009-04-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Dr. Marshall Kaplan of Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) was the featured speaker today for the Space Security Lunch Series co-sponsored by Secure World Foundation and the University of Colorado Aerospace Law and Policy Association (ALPA). His talk, held at the University of Colorado Law School, was titled "Space Debris: A Growth Industry."

Before an audience which included interested parties, students and a Constituent Advocate for Congressman Jared Polis, Dr. Kaplan introduced the problem of orbital debris from a historical perspective. He discussed how he proposed a method for extracting Sputnik 1 from orbit shortly after its launch and described how he participated in studies to deorbit Skylab safely, since the space station did not have the propulsive means to maneuver.

Dr. Kaplan then talked about current affairs, focusing on the increasing number of incidents ranging from the Chinese anti-satellite (ASAT) test of January 2007 to the collision of Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 in February of this year. Using these examples as foundation, Dr. Kaplan went on to introduce a variety of engineering solutions designed to remove debris (as opposed to mitigating future generation of debris, the second part of the problem).

Several students remarked at how unfamiliar they were with the problem, and looked forward to amount of work that they can be a part of as the international community works toward solutions to the problem. The Foundation and ALPA are grateful to Dr. Kaplan for taking the time to discuss this important issue.

NRO Director: Industrial Base Issues Flagged

2009-04-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

A warning flare was ignited today regarding the health of the U.S. industrial base by Scott Large, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) here at the 25th National Space Symposium.

Large said the NRO has recently completed a new strategic plan with 11 specific action items – a plan that makes both the technical and business case for the national space security enterprise.

While specifics are classified, Large said that NRO is engaged in restoring confidence in what his organization is doing. There is need for an education process given the new Obama administration, as well as enhancing communication with Capitol Hill leadership.

“NRO is not a stand-alone organization,” Large explained, underscoring the skill set offered by others in the intelligence-gathering business.

Large noted the budget landscape that NRO is operating within. “It’s going to be difficult...this is not a cheap business…it’s hard, it takes time.”

Regarding the space architecture that NRO is trying to put in place, Large said moving innovative ideas out of the lab into space is key. “We’ve had spectacular successes,” he said, without going into details.

In closing remarks, Large flagged the need for stabilizing and strengthening the industrial base. He also urged putting in place a long term strategy beyond a 5 year budget cycle.

“It will be hard…it will take time,” Large emphasized.

-- Leonard David, SWF Research Associate

Secure World Foundation hires Victoria Samson as Director of Washington Operations

2009-04-01T07:03:00.001-07:00

Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of Victoria Samson as Director of Washington Operations.

Victoria will be responsible for engaging Congressional staffers and agency officials on matters related to space security and governance. Prior to her time at the foundation, Victoria was a Senior Analyst with the Center for Defense Information (CDI) since November 2001. Her areas of interest at CDI included missile defense, nuclear reductions, and emerging weapons technologies. Victoria is the author of numerous op-eds, analytical pieces, journal articles, and electronic updates on missile defense and space security matters, and provided an objective assessment of U.S. policy.

Prior to coming to CDI, Victoria was the senior policy associate at the Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers, a consortium of arms control groups in the Washington, D.C., area. She previously worked as a subcontractor on war-gaming scenarios for the Missile Defense Agency's Directorate of Intelligence.

Victoria has an M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She also holds a B.A. in political science with a specialization in international relations from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).