The Future of Space Safety

The orbital space around the earth is increasingly utilized by many actors across the world. Satellites built and launched by governments that strictly served national security and scientific exploration purposes have given way to privately (and even amateur) built and commercially launched space objects. This growth in participation has increased the amount of stakeholders interested in preserving the orbital domain, but it has also increased the amount of satellites and human-generated debris on orbit. As governments, and their myriad agencies, seek to preserve access to the benefits of space, how can collaboration reduce redundancies and avoid the complications of differing definitions, priorities, and data standards?

SWF and ESA co-hosted a luncheon panel discussion on international collaboration concerning space safety. Speakers and panelists discussed the roles of governments and industry, technical hurdles, and other challenges.

Speakers

Keynotes:

• Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General, European Space Agency
• Patrick Besha, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Administrator at NASA Headquarters

Panelists:

• Jim Cooper, Senior Systems Engineer, Space Situational Awareness, Analytical Graphics, Inc.
• Todd Harrison, Director, CSIS Aerospace Security Project and Defense Budget Analysis
• Diane Howard, Professor of Commercial Space Operations/Spaceflight Ops, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Bill Murtagh, Program Coordinator, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
• Charity Weeden, US Managing Representative, Astroscale
• Moderator: Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director, Secure World Foundation

Event Materials

• Audio
• Transcript
• Event coverage in Pollitico Space
• Event coverage on SpaceNews.com

For more information, please contact Josh Wolny at jwolny@swfound.org