Category: Testimony, Presentations and Panel Appearances

Dr. Ruth Stilwell, a visiting scholar at SPI, gave the following talk in our offices on her research topic, Space Operations and U.S. Airspace Above 20km.

The focus is on integrating new entrants in commercial space and unnamed aircraft in civil airspace about 60,000 ft. The airspace between 20km and 100km will be the first truly mixed-use airspace for aviation and space operators. High altitude pseudo satellites, airborne launch platforms, high endurance unmanned vehicles, hypersonic suborbital flights and vehicles transiting to and from space will need to co-exist in this airspace. We have learned from low earth orbit that the path from lightly occupied to congested, contested and competitive is short. Building an operational concept for the management of this stratum with the diverse mission and operational needs of emerging technologies in mind is needed to promote innovation and growth in these industries, while maintaining safe and equitable access.

Chris Beauregard was a moderator for The 10th Annual Dupont Summit on Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy. His panel was titled, “An Examination of Presidential Leadership in Space Policy”.

Panelists included Ben Roberts, Vice President of Government Affairs at Moon Express, Tommy Sanford, Executive Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Jason Callahan, Space Policy Advisor with the Planetary Society, and Teasel Muir-Harmony, the Curator at the National Air and Space Museum Space History Department.

Click here for more information.

Dr. Scott Pace was interviewed by Lee Billings from Scientific American on his participation in the National Space Council and on U.S. Space Policy.

“The executive director of the National Space Council discusses the Trump administration’s plans to ‘make America great again’ — in space”.

Read the article HERE.

News of the announcement can be found in articles from Space Policy Online and the Planetary Society. Dr. Henry Hertzfeld will serve as interim Director of the Space Policy Institute.

Via White House Press Release:

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Scott Pace to the National Space Council

Scott Pace of Virginia to be the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council. “Over his career, Dr. Scott Pace has honed his expertise in the areas of science, space, and technology. Currently, he is the Director of the Space Policy Institute and Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at George Washington University. Dr. Pace also serves as the Vice-Chair of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES). Previously, he served at NASA, the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), and the RAND Corporation’s Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). During his career, Dr. Pace has received numerous awards and recognitions including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2008), the U.S. Department of State’s Group Superior Honor Award, GPS Interagency Team (2005), and the NASA Group Achievement Award, Columbia Accident Rapid Reaction Team (2004). Dr. Pace received his B.S. in Physics from Harvey Mudd College in 1980. Two years later, in 1982, he earned his Master in Aeronautics and Astronautics and Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1982). Finally, Dr. Pace attained his Doctorate in Policy Analysis from the RAND Graduate School in 1989.”

Dr. Pace spoke about the important role of lunar missions in the context of future exploration of Mars. The panel, titled “Is the Moon a Good Step on the Way to Mars?” took place at the Humans to Mars Summit hosted at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. The panel begins at 54:20 in the broadcast.

Dr. Ehrenfreund, Chair of the German Aerospace Cente (DLR), presented the opening keynote at the 5th DLR Industrial Days, an annual meeting of approximately 100 experts from space agencies, industry, and science to exchange views on the future of European space transport.

Dr. Ehrenfreund, Chair of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), was featured in a panel of eight other leaders of national space programs. Her comments focused on the need for cooperation and were featured in a number of publications, including ViaSatellite, The Gazette, and a Sputnik News piece titled “Russia, Europe, US Should Work Together on Space Exploration – German Agency”.

The session, titled “Shaping Space Acquisitions for the Future Force”, was part of an ongoing series of Space Group Breakfasts. Dr. Pace was joined by moderator Steven Isakowitz, President and Chief Executive Office at Aerospace Corporation, and Maj. Gen. Roger Teague, Director of Space Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions.