Secure World Foundation Newsletter

December 2018

Insight - Supporting Earth Observation and Citizen Science

By Luc Riesbeck, Human and Environmental Security Intern and Krystal Wilson, Director of Space Applications Programs 

Citizen science, broadly defined as volunteers participating in scientific research or science applications, offers the opportunity to expand and revolutionize the way science is done. Public contributions to scientific research and discovery have greatly expanded in recent years, thanks to support of governments, civil society, and academia towards fostering and expanding this new and innovative approach to scientific inquiry. Though public contribution to scientific inquiry is not a recent innovation, new technologies and applications such as the internet, social media, and mobile phones have increased the awareness and utility of citizen science. 

The success of citizen science initiatives such as Zooniverse, Foldit, and Globe have increased the visibility of the ordinary person’s potential to supplement innovative, real-world research. In the United States, the scientific impacts of citizen science have been recognized by 60 federal agencies and organizations, which coordinate and support hundreds of citizen science projects. In Europe, the European Commission continues to fund Citizen Observatories, beginning with the 7th Framework Programme and extending through active projects Ground Truth 2.0, LandSense, SCENT, and GROW, many of which are partially funded under the Horizon 2020 Programme. Similar initiatives are emerging in other parts of the world...continue reading.

Events

Nov 6, 2018
SWF Contributes to GEO Week 2018
In its role as a participating organization of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), SWF had an active presence in the GEO-XIV Plenary and side events held in Kyoto, Japan. Participating in the week-long agenda of side events, planning meetings, and plenary sessions, Director of Space Applications Programs, Krystal Wilson, engaged with representatives from the international GEO community, including new members and participating organizations, data providers, and users. For more detailed information about GEO’s current initiatives, please see their 2017-2018 Highlight report. 

Nov 9, 2018 
SWF Helps Organize the First Global Satellite Servicing Forum
SWF, through its role as part of the Secretariat for the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), helped organize the first annual Global Satellite Servicing Forum (GSSF), a day-long event that brought together more than 140 participants to discuss global satellite servicing technology, market, and policy developments. SWF Director of Program Planning Dr. Brian Weeden, who also serves as the Executive Director of CONFERS, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event and moderated a panel discussion on the regulatory and policy considerations for satellite servicing, while SWF Director of Private Sector Programs Mr. Ian Christensen moderated a panel on market and business trends. The agenda and presentations from the event can be found here and a recording of the event webcast can be found here.

Nov 14, 2018
SWF Co-Sponsors CODER Workshop on Orbital Debris
SWF co-sponsored the 2018 Center for Orbital Debris Education and Research (CODER) Workshop's policy day. This biennial event discussed collaboration, research, and education to address critical issues in orbital debris policy, mitigation, and remediation. Executive Director Peter Martinez gave a keynote speech discussing the recent negotiations of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that resulted in twenty-one agreed guidelines for the long-term sustainability of space activities, while Washington Office Director Victoria Samson was part of a wrap-up panel that discussed common themes that arose throughout the course of the day's discussion.

Nov 27, 2018
SWF Co-Sponsors Conference on Space Security in Brussels
SWF was pleased to co-sponsor with the Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri) a one-day conference in Brussels which addressed various aspects of space security. "Space Security in the 2020’s: Transatlantic Perspectives" brought together experts from both sides of the Atlantic to discuss current challenges to space security, the status of various multilateral efforts to address the issue, and trends in space situational awareness. Ms. Samson spoke about the current status of global counterspace capabilities and current challenges to the security and stability of the space domain.  

Dec 7, 2018
SWF and ESA Co-Host a Discussion on The Future of Space Safety
In coordination with the European Space Agency's (ESA) Washington Office, SWF hosted a luncheon keynote and panel discussion on space safety and U.S.-Europe collaboration. Jan Wörner, ESA Director General, spoke on ESA's concept of space safety which encompasses different efforts that a range of US actors are engaged in. Specifically, space situational awareness, space weather, planetary defense, and debris remediation. Panelists representing different aspects of the U.S. space enterprise discussed these topic areas and how safety in space is currently threatened, but also necessary for commercialization, national security needs, science, and more.

Staff Activities and Presentations

Oct 19, 2018
SWF Provides Input on Best Practices and Norms at the 7th Annual Space and Satellite Colloquium
Space Law Advisor Chris Johnson spoke on a panel about best practices and norms of behavior for governing space activities at the 7th Annual Space & Satellite Colloquium at Reed Smith LLP in Washington, DC. Mr. Johnson explored the strengths and shortcomings of best practices and other forms of "soft law," as used in a diverse field of space activities, including the commercial, scientific, and security aspects of space. 

Nov 5, 2018
SWF Participates in the Fifth Meeting of the MILAMOS Project in Beijing
Mr. Johnson, who serves as a rule drafter in the MILAMOS project, attended the fifth meeting in Beijing, China. The workshop was hosted and organized by the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), a MILAMOS partner organization. Mr. Johnson was tasked with writing a number of rules, based on existing law and practice, related to peacetime and times of rising conflict in outer space.

Nov 7, 2018
Victoria Samson Participates in Panel on Space Policy at World Affairs Councils of America's Annual Conference
Washington Office Director Victoria Samson participated in a panel that examined the current status of U.S. space policy at the annual conference of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) in Washington, DC. The panel, "Breaking Out of Orbit: Trends in Space Policy," discussed changing attitudes about space security internationally, examined current threats to the security and stability of the space domain, and highlighted the importance overall of space to international relations and security.  For more information about the event, please visit here. 

Nov 9, 2018
SWF Participates in African Space Leadership Conference
Executive Director Peter Martinez attended the 7th African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Abuja, Nigeria, from 5-7 Nov 2018.  The conference focused on the implementation of the African Space Policy and Strategy and recent developments regarding the possible establishment of a future African Space Agency. Dr. Martinez presented an invited talk on the implications of the twenty-one Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities recently agreed by UN COPUOS. He participated in discussions of the ALC Steering Committee and the ALC Youth Forum. Dr. Martinez also delivered a presentation on the SWF Handbook for New Actors in Space. 

Nov 9, 2018
SWF Discusses Space Law and Policy Issues Affecting Space Debris at the 25th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum
Mr. Johnson spoke on a panel about space law and policy issues affecting space debris at an academic workshop, entitled “Space Policy and Law Perspectives for Space Debris Management,” on the sidelines of the 25th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in Singapore. The workshop aimed to discuss on-going research in space policy and law towards understandings of critical issues related to space debris prevention and mitigation in the Asia-Pacific region, and to explore regional and global standards for space environment protection for future space exploration.

Nov 12, 2018
SWF Contributes to World Economic Forum's Council on the Future of Space Technologies
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden participated in the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2018 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Weeden participated as a member of the Council on Future of Space Technologies for the eighth year. The Space Council met to discuss current trends in the space sector and what role it might play in Globalization 4.0 and shaping a new global architecture to address global challenges. The Council also discussed how to support the World Economic Forum's new project to develop a Space Sustainability Rating to encourage sustainable use of space and ways to connect space assets with solving global challenges on Earth. 

Nov 16, 2018
SWF Participates in UN High Level Forum
With principles like partnership, sustainable development, cooperation, governance, information exchange, benefits, and access included across the entire range of themes discussed, the UN/Germany High Level Forum: "The Way Forward after UNISPACE+50 and on Space2030" addressed a large cross-section of the issues and priorities central to the work of SWF. The HLF focused on the role of space applications in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the challenges of space situational awareness, space accessibility for all, developing space-derived economic benefits, advancing the societal benefits of space-related activities, and capacity building all of which have been the subject of SWF programming in 2018. The HLF concluded with a session on Space Diplomacy with Executive Director Peter Martinez presenting on the work of the COPUOS Working Group on the Long Term Sustainability of Space Activity while Director Emeritus Michael Simpson spoke on the role of "NGOs As Source and Critic" in the process of advancing the Space2030 Agenda.

Nov 16, 2018
SWF Contributes to Panel Discussion on Space and Cybersecurity
Director of Space Applications Programs Krystal Wilson spoke at Cybsersat18: Security and Connectivity. Her panel, “Interconnectedness In the 21st Century: Women in Cyber and Space Discuss Realities and Practicalities,” was a multidisciplinary dialogue among experts, academics, investors, public organization leaders, investigators, and prime consultants on the roles of responsibility and identity management, satellite security policy, streamlining vulnerability analysis, increasing awareness on security issues, and developing capabilities to support hardware, software, and cultural verifications. Ms. Wilson discussed the evolving scope of space actors, the lack of norms for use and thus potential for inadvertent escalation, and highlighted how new applications of space technology may affect cybersecurity issues.

Nov 21, 2018
SWF Contributes to the Inaugural United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress
Ms. Wilson participated in the inaugural United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress held in Deqing, Zhejiang Province, China. The Congress was designed to provide a convening, participatory, and inclusive environment to enhance the communication, understanding, knowledge, and application of geospatial information management. Ms. Wilson presented on trends in geospatial policy as part of the Young Geospatial Professionals Summit. Her panel focused on innovative ideas, initiatives and activities either at the global, or the regional or the local levels to address some of the challenges including to bridge the geospatial digital divide, and how the younger generation can proactively be part of the solution.

Nov 26, 2018
SWF Contributes to Panel Discussion on International Law and National Security Space Activities at George Mason Law School
Dr. Weeden participated in a panel discussion on national security space law organized by the National Security Institute (NSI) at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. He was joined on the panel by Professor Jack Beard from the University of Nebraska College of Law and Professor David Koplow from Georgetown Law. The discussion was moderated by Kirsten Hajduk, a fellow from NSI. The panel discussed the role of international law in national security space activities, how that body of law developed over the last 60 years, and the current efforts to develop manuals on how the law of armed conflict applies to potential conflict in space. The panel also discussed several current topics, including the growing commercialization of space and the proposals for a separate Space Force in the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Nov 28, 2018
NewSpace Europe Explores Governance Issues in a "Lunar Economy"
Participating actively in standing room only sessions on the creation a "Lunar Economy," Director of Private Sector Programs, Ian Christensen, and Director Emeritus, Michael Simpson posed key questions about how a predictable and secure political environment conducive to both equity and commercial success could be achieved. With many key actors in Europe's increasingly dynamic entrepreneurial space community present at the conference, SWF's representatives were able to further broaden and deepen the Foundation's network of European contacts in the commercial space sector.

Nov 28, 2018
SWF Expert Guest Lectures in Prague on Space Stability
Ms. Samson gave a guest lecture in a series that the Prague Security Studies Institute organizes in concert with Charles University and the American Center in Prague, Czech Republic. Her talk, "Disruptions to Space Security and Stability," examined the current status of known counterspace capabilities globally, discussed how the space domain has evolved over the past few years, requiring a similar maturing in how we approach space security and stability, and looked forward to future challenges to space stability. 

Nov 30, 2018
Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group Continues Work
Dr. Simpson, Mr. Christensen, and Mr. Johnson participated in a face-to-face meeting of the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Dr. Simpson serves as Vice-Chair of the Working Group and Mr. Christensen chairs the Group's SocioEconomic Panel. At this meeting the Working Group reviewed the feedback received as a result of the public commentary period on the 19 Draft Building Blocks for the Development of an International Framework on Space Resources Activities. The Group will work to finalize the Building Blocks as the second phase of the Group's activity continues into 2019.

Dec 6, 2018
SWF Contributes to Discussions on the Future of Military Space and Options for a Space Force
Dr. Weeden participated in a webinar organized by Defense Daily on the future of military space activities and the options for creating a Space Force. He was joined by Todd Harrison from the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Theresa Hitchens from the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland. Dr. Weeden started the discussion with an overview of the major trends and changes in the space domain along with the counterspace capabilities being developed by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Mr. Harrison talked about the challenges and frustrations with the current way the U.S. national security space sector is organized to meet these changes and challenges and the options for reorganization, including the creation of a separate Space Force. Mr. Harrison discussed the potential costs of these options. Ms. Hitchens talked about the policy and geopolitical impact of changes to U.S. policy, doctrine, and organization and what steps the U.S. could take to help make the space domain more stable.

Dec 14, 2018
SWF Contributes to Space Security Discussions in Moscow
Ms. Samson participated in discussions hosted by the National Academies of Science with their Russian counterparts in Moscow, Russia. The talks covered cyber and space security. Ms. Samson gave presentations on "Assessments and Evolving Perceptions of Space Threats and Capabilities" and the "Status of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements."  For copies of her presentations, please visit her publications page here.

Experts in the Media

Nov 15, 2018
Is Satellite Really Reducing the Digital Divide?
Director of Space Application Programs Krystal Wilson quoted in Via Satellite on the digital divide. 

Nov 20, 2018
Why Trevor Paglen Thinks About Who's Watching Us
Ms. Wilson interviewed by National Public Radio on space sustainability and Trevor Paglen's Orbital Reflector project.

Nov 28, 2018
CyberSat 2018 Panel Calls for Greater Cybersecurity Initiative
Ms. Wilson quoted on trends in cybersecurity at CyberSat 2018.

Dec 3, 2018
Amazon's plan to profit from space data
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden quoted in the Washington Post on Amazon's plan to develop space ground stations.

Publications

Nov 26, 2018
How the United States Should Deal with Emerging Space Threats
Director of Program Planning Brian Weeden published an op-ed in SpaceNews discussing how the United States should address emerging space threats. Dr. Weeden explains how the domain has changed over the last decade, the emerging environmental and hostile threats, and how the reality of those threats differs from much of the current public and political rhetoric. Dr. Weeden also discusses different solutions that have been proposed, including more offensive weapons and creating a Space Force, how they may or may not address the challenges, and why the solution set must include U.S. leadership on improving space situational awareness and diplomatic agreements to resolve the underlying political conflict.

Dec 14, 2018
Summary Report From the 2018 Roundtable on Value and Benefit Creation in Commercial Space
On September 5, 2018 Secure World Foundation convened the 2018 Roundtable on Value and Benefit Creation in Commercial Space in New York City. The one-day invite-only event brought together representatives from the commercial space community and the space-related finance community for discussion of creating, measuring, and sustaining long-term value and benefit from commercial space development. The event took a Roundtable approach with moderated discussions between a small group (apx. 50) of invited participants. The full summary report is available here.

Announcement

Nov 1, 2018
SWF Welcomes Jihan Asher as the New Washington Office Coordinator
Please join SWF in giving a warm welcome to Jihan Asher, our new Washington Office Coordinator.