Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

SPI Visiting Scholar Makiko Tada presents her final paper at ASCEND/ AIAA

July 25, 2025July 27, 2025News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Makiko finished her research paper titled “Analysis of Options for Japan in the Peaceful Uses of Space Nuclear Power”. In her paper, she analyzes the current state of space nuclear propulsion and power technologies in Japan and the United States, as well as institutional barriers, export regulations, and international cooperation frameworks. It examines the challenges Japanese companies face in entering this field, points out the limitations of the current UNCOPUOS framework, and highlights the necessity of a new framework involving like-minded countries such as AUKUS, while offering policy recommendations for Japan.

Congratulations Makiko!

You can download the paper HERE

Makiko Tada works for the Space Development and Utilization Division, at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) / Japan

Release of the Space Security Webinar eBook by former SPI Visiting Scholar, Bruno Martini

July 2, 2025August 12, 2025News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

We are pleased to inform the publication of the eBook compiling the proceedings of the International Webinar on Space Security, held on August 6, 2024, and organized by the Brazilian Air Force University (UNIFA), through its Center for Strategic Studies (CEE) and the Laboratory of Simulation and Prospective Scenarios (LSC).

This initiative was developed by Bruno Martini (former SPI Visiting Scholar), and the eBook features chapters authored by two SPI faculty members, Dr. John Klein and Dr. Peter Hays.

The publication addresses key topics such as defense, sustainability, strategic competition, and international cooperation in outer space—reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the dialogue fostered during the webinar.

You can find the eBook HERE

Bruno Martini
Oceanographer and Master in Coastal and Oceanic Systems Dynamics from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Brazil. Ph.D. Candidate in Aerospace Sciences at the Brazilian Air Force University (UNIFA).

SPI Visiting Scholar, Sarah C.G. Dunn’s article was published in the ETH Zurich’s Russian Analytical Digest

June 21, 2025June 23, 2025Authored Articles and Conference Papers, News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Sarah analyses Russia’s diverse set of ASAT capabilities in her article.

Abstract
The Russian Federation’s Nudol ground-based anti-satellite system is part of a larger effort to modernize military space capabilities, with implications for the development of missile defence systems. Aerospace defence
and the role of space in warfare, topics frequently discussed by the Soviet military, have resurfaced as key
focuses following the growth of perceived external threats and on the basis of internal assessments. Nudol’s
connections to Soviet systems, expertise, and organizations reflect Russia’s preexisting capacity for military
space development, but are also an indication of economic and technological challenges. The capabilities
and limitations of Nudol, alongside Russian military commentary on aerospace defence, suggest that the
system may serve as an element of a multi-tier system of missile defence, as a negotiating tool, as a symbol
of prestige, and as a deterrent.

Please find the article HERE

Update! Episode4: GW Space Society(GWSS) Podcast

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Please take a look at the GW Space Society Podcast and enjoy our GWSS presidents discuss with space industry professionals on various topics.

SPI Alumni Moon J. Kim publishes new paper: “Counting stars and costs: An empirical examination of space launch cost trend at NASA”

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Please to announce his new article, discussing NASA launch cost increases and related trends.

Op-Ed on SPACENEWS by SPI student Elif Yüksel : “Türkiye’s space future: An ambitious path ahead”

April 10, 2025April 12, 2025Authored Articles and Conference Papers, News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Click here or the article image to read Elif’s Op-ed.

Elif Yüksel is a Turkish pioneer in space diplomacy and policy, specializing at the Space Policy Institute of George Washington University. She is a Fulbright Scholar, Space Policy Institute Fellow, and an alumna of the International Space University. Currently, she serves as an Ambassador for the AstroAid Foundation.

SPI Student Adam Stegall Published in Quest, Receives Honorable Mention for Sacknoff Prize for Space History

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025Books, Book Chapters and Reports, News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

SPI student Adam Stegall was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly, and received an honorable mention for the Sacknoff Prize for Space History.

His paper, “Kennedy’s Hidden Stimulus: The Experimental Economics of the Decision to Go to the Moon”, presents original research that reveals a previously unknown economic dimension of President Kennedy’s deliberations, and a quiet experimental $10 billion federal stimulus program that has gone unnoticed for nearly 65 years. The paper shines new light on the role of the administration’s Council of Economic Advisors, and adds depth to our understanding of one of the most consequential decisions in space history. The paper may be read in full here, and SPI sends thanks to Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly for providing it to our readers.

Congratulations Adam!

SPI Visiting Scholar, Bruno Martini, Published in the Journal of the Americas

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

Bruno Martini, SPI visiting scholar, published a paper titled “Counterspace Weapons: Strategic Implications for Emerging Spacepower Nations” in the Journal of the Americas.

The article tackles the challenges and opportunities of nations possessing small satellite fleets in the context of an increased number of potential threats to space assets. Destructive ASAT weapons tests have raised the stakes for emerging spacepower nations, who now have to reconsider their resiliency to foreign counterspace capabilities.

The full paper is available here.

SPI Visiting Scholar, Akira Saito, Published in The Space Review

September 12, 2023October 16, 2023News, Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

SPI Visiting Scholar Akira Saito was published in The Space Review.

His article “Key Issues for the Japanese Government Regarding Exploration and Development of Space Resources” focuses on the potential use of lunar ice as a propellant, and considers the future development of this resource within the context of the international community.

Mr. Saito uses this analysis to make recommendations for future actions by the Japanese government in conducting space resource exploration and development.

SPI Visiting Scholar, Lt Col Jennifer Cannon, Published in Air & Space Operations Review

August 21, 2023August 21, 2023Papers Published by Visiting Scholars and Students

SPI Visiting Scholar, Lt Col Jennifer Cannon, was published in the Department of the Air Force’s Air & Space Operations Review.

Her article, “Targeting Dual-Use Satellites: Lessons Learned from Terrestrial Warfare“, examines the intermingling of commercial space capabilities and services with
military operations and their derived effects, and the implications for targeting
such assets as part of current and future warfare.

She uses case studies of terrestrial attacks on dual-use targets to extrapolate strategic, operational, and legal issues that could arise from attacks on dual-use satellites in space.

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