We congratulate Kimi (Space Policy Institute Non-Resident Scholar Kimitake Nakamura) for his newest book “Norm Formation in Space Law”, to be selected as the IAA Social Sciences Book Award 2025.
The IAA Social Sciences Book Award is an annual honor presented by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It recognizes excellence in publication within the field of social sciences related to astronautics, space policy, and space law. The award is typically given to a member or corresponding member of the Academy whose book demonstrates outstanding scholarly achievement or significant impact in these disciplines.
Click here or the article image to read Elif’s Op-ed.
Elif Yüksel is a Turkish pioneer in space diplomacy and space policy. She is a Fulbright Scholar, Space Policy Institute Fellow, and an alumna of the International Space University. Currently, she works as a consultant for several private space companies and voluntarily serves as an Ambassador for the AstroAid Foundation.
On September 26, Dr. Scott Pace participated on a panel at a CSIS event alongside Christian Davenport (author of “Rocket Dreams: Inside the New Space Race”) and Chirag Parikh (former Executive Secretary of the National Space Council).
The event featured a fascinating discussion in which Christian, as a journalist, analyzed the transitions between presidential administrations, complemented by behind-the-scenes perspectives from the two former Executive Secretaries who were serving at the time. Another noteworthy topic was the importance of continuity—passing space programs and capabilities smoothly from one administration to the next.
Dr. Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute and professor of the practice of international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, has been invited to join the Academic Advisory Body for Emerging Technologies at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Dr. Pace will help the ITU guide global policy on advanced digital technologies.
Dr. Scott Pace joined a panel titled “U.S. Space Science Leadership in a Global Context“. The Panel discussed how the U.S. can sustain scientific leadership amid rising global competition. Where are the global players are gaining ground and how the U.S. can strategically position itself for continued excellence in space science over the next decade.
Panelists: Dr. Scott Pace, Professor,Practice of International Affairs; Director, Space Policy Institute, GWU Ms. Rachel Lindbergh, Space Policy Analyst, Congressional Research Service Mr. Jared Stout, Chief Global Policy Officer, Axiom Space (remote)
The Space Policy Institute, along with the GW Law School is hosting a delegation of several space lawyers from Asia to discuss Asian approaches to Space Law.
Date: Thursday 4 September 2025 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (12:10 PM- Lunch & Keynote) Venue: 1957 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C., George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs Lindner Commons, 6th Floor, and The GW Law School
Registration is necessary. Please register from HERE
SPI Research Professor Pascale Ehrenfreund was recently interviewed for the European Science-Media Hub.
Prof. Ehrenfreund discussed her view on a sustainable space economy, as well as international cooperation, the role of Europe in space governance, and space workforce development.
The IAF Excellence in International Cooperation Award is presented during the IAC 2025 Opening Ceremony on Monday 29 September 2025 to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their efforts to promote and facilitate global engagement and cooperation in the space sector.
“Pascale Ehrenfreund is the President of the Committee of Space Research (COSPAR) and Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs at the Space Policy Institute/George Washington University in Washington DC. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Space Foundation and as Member of the Global Future Council on Space of the World Economic Forum. For three decades she contributed as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator and Teamleader to ESA and NASA astronomy and planetary missions as well as experiments in low Earth orbit and on the International Space Station. Pascale Ehrenfreund was the President of the International Space University (2021-2023), the President International Astronautical Federation (2019-2022), the Chair of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) (2015-2020) and the President of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (2013-2015). Pascale Ehrenfreund is enlisted in the Stanford World Ranking Top 2% Scientists 2022 and holds a Master degree in Molecular Biology, a PhD in Astrophysics, and a Master degree in Management & Leadership. The asteroid 9826 Ehrenfreund 2114 T-3 bears her name.”
Thank you for attending the Book Launch event. Please see the recordings HERE
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The Moorman Center for Space Studies, the independent think tank within the National Security Space Association, and Space Policy Institute is pleased to announce a book launch event about the publication of a timely new book entitled, CONTESTED SPACE: ENSURING EFFECTIVE U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE CAPABILITIES IN AN INCREASINGLY CONTESTED ENVIRONMENT.
Tuesday, July 15 10:30am – 1:00pm EST
Location: Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E St NW suite 602
According to Christopher Williams (Vice President and Chair of the NSSA Moorman Center for Space Studies), “Given the serious challenges to the established international order posed by the Axis of Authoritarians, now is the time to rapidly modernize U.S. national security space policy, strategy, organizations, and capabilities. This book is chock full of actionable recommendations for the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress on how to better posture the U.S. national security space enterprise to assure U.S. space dominance in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats to critical U.S. space systems.”
