August 26, 2022

Government and Commercial Leaders Speak on the Next Steps of the KE-ASAT Moratorium

Dear Colleague,

On Wednesday, the Aerospace’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy and George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute hosted a panel on the recent Kinetic Energy Anti-Satellite (KE-ASAT) moratorium. The event included opening remarks by Alyssa Ayres, Dean of the Elliot School of International Affairs, as well as a keynote address from Chirag Parikh, Executive Secretary of the National Space Council.

The first panel discussed the government’s approach to space norms of behavior and included panelists:

• Travis Langster, Principal Director of Space Policy at the Department of Defense
• Eric Desautels, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance at the Department of State
• Tom Colvin, Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy at NASA
• Richard DalBello, Director of the Office of Space Commerce

The second panel discussed the role of the private sector in space norms of behavior and included panelists:

• Joe Anderson, Vice President for Business Development and Operations at Space Logistics
• Amber Charlesworth, Public Policy at Amazon Project Kuiper (TBC)
• Robin Dickey, Space Policy and Strategy Analyst at Aerospace Corporation
• Dan Oltrogge, Director of Integrated Operations and Research at COMSPOC
• Charity Weeden, Vice President of Global Space Policy and Government Relations at Astroscale

On April 18, 2022, Vice President Harris announced the US would no longer conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests, and instead seek to establish this as a new international norm for responsible behavior in space. Vice President Harris also called on other nations and allies to make similar commitments, advocating the establishment of KE-ASAT testing as a norm would benefit all nations.

In his opening remarks, Chirag Parikh stated the importance of implementing norms of behavior to ensure space sustainability. To further this effort, the National Space Council consults on rules, guidelines, and sustainability for the outer space environment and reinforces the idea of sustainable development and global relationships by concurrently working with the Department of Defense (DoD) and State Department. Mr. Parikh stated that efforts on norms go beyond national security systems as the policy and regulatory environment ensures competitiveness in the commercial space sector. He then highlighted national security strategic guidance reinforces space priorities and emphasized the importance of maintaining US leadership to provide a sense of order and stability. He further noted the importance of working groups to consult on guidelines and ensure long-term sustainability in space. In addition, Mr. Parikh highlighted the rapid acceleration of global change in the space environment and its technologies, which reinforces the importance of providing a framework for the norms and rules of behavior in space. These frameworks rely on the principles of leadership, responsibility, and sustainability, laying the foundation of how the US interacts with other nations. He also stressed moving forward the importance partnerships, both commercial and international, emphasizing the advancements in space technologies cannot only be a government-led effort.

Led by senior officials at the DoD, State Department, NASA, and the Department of Commerce, the first panel highlighted the government’s approach to space norms of behavior. Examining why the US announced its direct ASAT moratorium this spring, as well as what the possible norms of behavior in space may be besides barring destructive ASAT tests, Travis Langster, Principal Director of Space Policy for the DoD, stressed that as the global space environment evolves, so must its norms, rules, and principles. He stated this direction is not new or unique to the Biden Administration, but its firm commitment promotes the framework for responsible and safe behavior in outer space. He claimed the shared understanding of what constitutes safe space behavior benefits all participants. This, in practice, can combat the risk of advancing Chinese technologies, in turn providing overall enhanced stability. He stressed this also has the ability to emerge as a norm of behavior in space, setting a cornerstone in the global space environment.

Eric Desautels, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance at the State Department provided a brief summary of key resolutions and treaties that laid the foundation for norms of behavior in space. He stated, “norms are the way to go” and Russia and China have used treaties to constrain the US in the space domain. He emphasized the importance of KE-ASAT testing and cited it as progress and a good first step. He also noted that many countries at a UN working group in May shared concerns for ASAT testing, even if all the countries in the room were not comfortable openly criticizing it. He stated there are two approaches to build upon the US’ ban of ASAT testing: nonbinding UN resolution or an arms control agreement. He discussed an arms control agreement is a long-term effort but adopting a nonbinding UN resolution would allow countries to go on record and increase political pressure.

Tom Colvin, Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy at NASA, spoke on civil space related to debris sustainability. He stated the US must understand debris remediation before contextualizing and enacting policies related to orbital debris. Satellites maintain an operational cost at a high level; the uncontrolled reentry at the end of a satellite’s life serves as a liability of the launching state for any damage that may be caused. Mr. Colvin discussed debris remediation, its risks, and its various strategies. By reusing or recycling debris rather than moving it to another orbit, or de-orbiting, this window would expand remediation capabilities. In addition, he discussed the recent KE-ASAT moratorium furthers the global opportunity for policy change related to debris remediation. Mr. Colvin explained that NASA has seen a 30 percent increase of space debris with the rise of commercial space capabilities and Russia’s recent announcement of its departure from the ISS will only continue this trend. He stressed the US must quantify what its operational effects are, including understanding what debris is worth to the US space community and how much space debris is harming US space capabilities.

Richard DalBello, Director, Office of Space Commerce discussed the office’s role as both an advocate and a regulator. He began by discussing the transfer of the space situational awareness mission to the Office of Space Commerce stating it is important so DoD can “focus on their core missions.” Mr. DalBello also discussed the Open Architecture Data Repository (OADR) pilot program, a cloud-based system that will track assets and debris in space and replace the military’s current system. He stated it is also his goal to create a new tool, which would be a free product or basic service to allow for safe operations in space. 

The second panel of the event focused on the role of the private sector in space norms of behavior. In her comparison from commercial space perspectives on the direct ascent ASAT testing moratorium to civil space, Robin Dickey, Space Policy And Strategy Analyst at the Aerospace Corporation, stated the US should use a broader perspective on how space norms are discussed. She further added the US government often views safety and sustainability on one end of its priorities in establishing space norms with security on the other. Ms. Dickey, however, argued there is existing interconnectivity in space activities. While there may be more uncertainty and confusion on the security side in that discussion, she used collateral damage as an example of a threat to both safety/sustainability and security. She explained Starlink satellites recently encountered Russian ASAT debris, thus directly impacting both the satellite’s safety and the US commercial sector’s security. This creates new challenges if commercial actors become a direct target and/or the misinterpretation of different behaviors by state actors.

Charity Weeden, Vice President of Global Space Policy for Astroscale, concluded the panel and event by stressing the public needs a safe and sustainable space environment. She argued the safe development of space shapes norms of behavior for future generations and that “space is a domain of commerce, not just warfighting.” As ASAT tests become more violent and sudden, she stated that both the civil and commercial space sector must combat and counter irresponsible space behavior. The global phenomenon of commercial space is the result of decades-long collaboration, bipartisanship between both parties of Congress, subsequent presidential Administrations, and the commercial sector; yet, the proliferation of the global space economy has demonstrated safety, sustainability, and security risks, which led to the US’ moratorium on KE-ASAT testing.

Please contact us with any questions.