Space Policy Institute

Welcome to SPI

The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs is a world leader in research, graduate study, and informed discussion related to issues of science, technology, and public policy. The Space Policy Institute celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. The Institute conducts research, offers graduate courses and organizes seminars, symposia, and conferences on topics related to domestic and international space policy. SPI is associated with the International Science and Technology Policy academic program, which leads to a Master of Arts degree at the Elliott School. The Institute operates within the Elliott School, but does so with support from The George Washington University as a whole, in addition to funding from a number of individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources. The Institute is directed by Dr. Henry Hertzfeld.

Dr. Henry Hertzfeld Cited by Wired

Dr. Hertzfeld was quoted in the Wired News article titled “The Best Place to Make Undersea Cables Might Be…in Space: A startup plans to manufacture fiber-optic cable on the International Space Station and ship it back to customers on Earth....

Dr. John Logsdon to receive award for sustained excellence in spaceflight history

Professor Emeritus John M. Logsdon has been selected to receive the American Astronautical Society’s Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History. The Ordway Award is named in memory of Frederick I. Ordway III (1927-2014), human spaceflight advocate...

Dr. John Logsdon Cited by Axios

Dr. Logsdon was quoted in the Axios News article titled “Texas and Alabama are fighting it out for the Artemis lunar lander.”

“Space Power and the Trajectory of U.S. Influence in Space”

Recent graduate Takuya Wakimoto wrote the article “Space Power and Trajectory of U.S. Influence in Space”, which was recently published in GWU’s International Affairs Review. His article begins on page 39 of the Summer 2019 issue. Abstract:...

“A Guide to Japan’s Space Policy Formulation: Structures, Roles and Strategies of Ministries and Agencies for Space”

Takuya Wakimoto, a second-year SPI graduate student, recently wrote the article “A Guide to Japan’s Space Policy Formulation: Structures, Roles and Strategies of Ministries and Agencies for Space”, which was published by the Pacific Forum. Executive...

Dr. Henry Hertzfeld Coaches GW Team in Space Law Moot Court

Dr. Henry Hertzfeld coached the GW team in the Manfred Lachs Space Law North American Moot Court Competition held here in Washington over the weekend. Chani Gatto-Bradshaw and James Lego reached the finals, and finished second. James was also selected as Best Oral...

Get to Know the Space Policy Institute

