Book Launch: The Oxford Handbook of Space Security

Date and time

Wednesday, May 1 · 11am – 1pm EDT

About the book

Space security is a complex assemblage of societal risks and benefits that result from space-based capabilities and is currently in a period of transformation as innovative processes are rapidly changing the underlying assumptions about stability in the space domain. New space-based technologies are emerging at an accelerating rate, and both established and emerging states are actively and openly pursuing weapons to negate other states’ space capabilities. Many states have set up dedicated military space units in order to preemptively counter such threats. In addition, a number of major private companies with a transnational presence are also investing heavily in extraterrestrially-based technology.

The Oxford Handbook of Space Security focuses on the interaction between space technology and international and national security processes from an international relations (IR) theory perspective. Saadia M. Pekkanen and P.J. Blount have gathered a group of key scholars who bring a range of analytical and theoretical IR perspectives to assessing space security. The volume theorizes the development and governance of space security and analyzes the specific pressure points currently challenging that regime. Further, it builds an analytically-eclectic understanding of space security, infused with the theory and practice of IR and advances analysis of key states and regions as well as specific capabilities. Space security is currently in a period of great transition as new technologies are emerging and states openly pursue counterspace capabilities. Bringing together scholarship from a group of leading experts, this volume explains how these contemporary changes will affect future security in, from, and through space.

Applying lessons from international relations theory and practice and drawing from a range of social science subfields, the Handbook is a definitive work for scholars who study the topic of space security.

About the Speakers

Saadia M. Pekkanen is the Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle. In addition to this appointment in The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, she is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Political Science and Adjunct Professor at the School of Law, where she also teaches courses. She is a member of the International Institute of Space Law. At the University of Washington, she is the founding director of the Qualitative Multi-Method Program (QUAL), and the founding director of the Space Law, Data and Policy Program (SPACE LDP). She is a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and a lifetime member of the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR).

P.J. Blount is a Lecturer in Law in the School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University. He is the author of Reprogramming the World: Cyberspace and the Geography of Global Order (2019), an editor of the Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law, and, formerly, the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law. He currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the International Institute of Space Law and is a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Georgia.

Scott Pace is a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs and Director of the Space Policy Institute at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

Aaron Bateman is an Assistant Professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University and is a core faculty member of the Space Policy Institute.

John J. Klein is a Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research, Inc., and Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, Georgetown University’s Strategic Studies Program, and the Institute of World Politics.

Peter L. Hays is a Defense Contractor supporting the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, an Adjunct Professor at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, and Space Chair at Marine Corps University.

 

New Perspectives on China’s Approach to Emerging Technologies – March 7th, 2024

The Space Policy Institute co-hosted with the Institute for International Science & Technology Policy on March 7th for a discussion on New Perspectives on China’s Approach to Emerging Technologies.

ABOUT THE EVENT

China’s investment in emerging technologies with both civil and military applications has captured headlines around the world. From artificial intelligence to reusable spacecraft, Beijing intends to be a world leader in many of the technologies that have significant implications for military power and economic competitiveness. This panel featured three internationally recognized experts on China’s policies concerning space, cyber conflict, and artificial intelligence.

AGENDA

  • 12:00 PM Opening Remarks from Professor Scott Pace, Director of SPI & IISTP
  • 12:10 PM Panel discussion
    • Professor Fiona Cunningham, University of Pennsylvania
    • Professor Lincoln Hines, Georgia Tech
    • Professor Jeffrey Ding, George Washington University
    • Moderated by SPI Professor Aaron Bateman

 

Note: This event was a hybrid event: in-person & virtual event, see the recorded video below.  

Space Seminar: Transatlantic Cooperation on Space Technology and Policy in the Arctic

On November 15 and 16 2023, the Space Policy Institute welcomed distinguished members of the US and Norwegian space communities to a seminar dedicated to transatlantic cooperation on space technology and policy in the Arctic region.

The two day-event offered a strategic outlook for the transatlantic partnership, including elements such as civil-military cooperation and dual use technologies, access to space as a strategic asset, and space exploration. Panelists shared success stories of international collaboration between Norway and the United states, both bilaterally and multilaterally under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Fireside Chat on India's Moon Landing

Space and Geopolitical Perspectives on India’s Moon Landing

George Washington University – Elliott School of International Affairs South Asian Board will hold a fireside chat with Dr. Scott Pace, Director of Space Policy Institute, and  Mr. Michael Kugelman, Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute Director, on India’s Moon Landing on August 23, 2023. Join us in an enlightening discussion.

On August 23, 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission landed on the moon. The success of this landing has been years in the making by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The result of this hard work is a successful landing on the moon’s south pole, a first. India is only the fourth country to complete a successful, intact landing on the moon after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.

EVENT DETAILS
Friday, October 20th
3:30-4:30 PM
Lindner Family Commons, 6th Floor – Room 602
1957 E St NW, Washington, DC 20052


Refer to Space Policy Institute – News: August 31, 2023

The State of Space Policy and Activities in Germany

On September 15, 2023, the Space Policy Institute hosted Dr. Anna Christmann, the Coordinator for Aerospace Policy at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and member of the German Bundestag. Dr. Christmann presented the main points of the newest German space strategy.

 

For those who could not join the event in person, you can find the full presentation below:

Our Fragile Space: Protecting the Near-Space Environment

On September 12, 2023, the Space Policy Institute brought to the Elliott School of International Affairs the revered “Our Fragile Space” exhibition, by photographer and creative strategist Max Alexander.

The innaugural event of the exhibition included an introduction from award winning journalist and author Dr. Stuart Clark, followed by esteemed speakers Krystal Azelton, Director of Space Applications Programs at Secure World Foundation, and Dr. Scott Pace, Director of the Space Policy Institute.

Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on U.S. Foreign Policy Visits Space Policy Institute

Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on U.S. Foreign Policy group gathered below Elliott School of International Affairs sign.

On July 24, the 2023 cohort of the Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on U.S. Foreign Policy visited the Space Policy Institute at the Elliott School of International Affairs. A diverse and inclusive group of 16 scholars from 16 different nationalities (Bangladesh; Cameroon; Chile; China; Egypt; Georgia; Hungary; India; Kazakhstan; Malaysia; North Macedonia; Panama; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Poland/UAE; and, Turkey) was welcome for a lecture on “U.S. Foreign Policy and Outer Space” by Dr Bruno Reynaud de Sousa, Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Space Policy Institute. Dr. de Sousa is also an alumnus of the SUSI exchange program on U.S. Foreign Policy (academic year 2020/2021).

This year is the first time space policy has been a highlight of the program. This particular U.S. Institute is hosted by the University of Delaware and coordinated by the Department of Political Science & International Relations at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration. The program studies the formulation and implementation of contemporary U.S. foreign policy, including key players such as government branches, media, NGOs, and multilateral institutions. Topics covered include American sovereignty, globalism, foreign aid, trade policies, immigration, border safety, and cybersecurity.

U.S. Embassies manage the nomination of candidates and organize participants’ visa interviews and international travel to the United States. In some countries, candidates may also be selected by a binational Fulbright Commission. SUSIs are part of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs exchange programs aimed at improving teaching about the United States. Scholars from all over the world attend a six-week program that includes academic coursework, panel discussions, and educational tours in different regions of the U.S. (Source: https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/study-us-institutes-scholars)

SPI Visiting Scholar Bruno Reynaud de Sousa gives lecture to Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on U.S. Foreign Policy group.

Public-Private Synergy in the Space Sector: Risks and Rewards

Public-Private Synergy in the Space Sector: Risks and Rewards

June 29, 2023 | 10:00AM-1:30PM

Event Recordings are available below:
Part 1
Part 2

Elliott School of International Affairs | Lindner Commons (Room 602, 6th Floor)

This will be a hybrid event. Please register for more information on how to access the event in-person or online.

Sponsored by the Space Policy Institute and Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy 

 

Schedule

10:00 Welcome: Scott Pace, Space Policy Institute

10:10 Keynote: Jim Bridenstine, former NASA Administrator

10:30 Panel 1: Learning from past public private collaboration efforts – successes and failures.

• Henry Hertzfeld, Space Policy Institute – moderator

• Patricia Cooper, President & Founder Constellation Advisory, LLC

• Brian D. Wessel, Attorney-Advisor, NASA Office of the General Counsel

• Moon Kim, NASA HQ – Agency Investment Analysis

• Diane Howard, UT Austin, School of Law Visiting Professor/Strauss Center for International Security and Law Non-resident Scholar

11:30 Lunch provided (40 mins)

12:10 Panel 2: Future: strategies for public private collaboration – navigating uncertainty and risk.

• Karen Jones, The Center for Space Policy and Strategy – moderator

• Tom Gillespie, Managing Partner, In-Q-Tel

• Chris Kunstadter, Global Head of Space, Axa – XL

• Jen Ross, Executive Consultant to SSC COMSO

• Kevin Pomfret, Attorney at Williams Mullen

1:10 Wrap Up: Jamie Morin, Executive Director, Center for Space Policy and Strategy

1:25 End

This will be a hybrid event; it’s open to the public and media and it will be recorded. Guests are welcome to join us in-person at 1957 E ST NW or online via Zoom. Please register for more information on accessing the event.

Science and Technology Diplomacy in the Context of the United States’ New Techno-Industrial Strategy

Image of a globe surrounded by a network

Science and Technology Diplomacy in the Context of the United States’ New Techno-Industrial Strategy

May 31, 2023 | 10:00AM-12:00PM EDT

This discussion is the second event in the GW Seminar Series on Science Diplomacy.

The event recording is now available.

About the Event

12:00PM: Welcome Remarks, Profess Aaron Bateman, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

12:05PM: Keynote Speech, Seth Center, Deputy Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, US Department of State

12:30PM: Panel Discussion

  • Jason Donovan, OES/STC Director, US Department of State
  • Florent Bernard, Science Counselor, EU Delegation in Washington, DC
  • Koji Aribayashi, S&T Counselor, Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC
  • Kim Montgomery, Director of International Affairs and Science Diplomacy, AAAS
  • Moderated by Scott Pace, Director Institute for International Science and Technology Policy and Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

This hybrid event is open to the media and the public and it will be recorded. Feel free to join us in-person at the Elliott School of International Affairs or online via Zoom. 

Light breakfast will be provided.