SPI Non-Resident Scholar Deganit Paikowsky Featured at Prague Security Studies Institute Event

The Prague Security Studies Institute invites you to a public guest lecture with Dr. Deganit Paikowsky, faculty at the Department of International Relations, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Non-Resident Scholar at the Space Policy Institute of the Elliott School for Foreign Affairs, George Washington University, who will deliver an online guest lecture entitled “The New Space Race and Models of Space Competition” on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 5:00 PM Prague time (Central European time). 

Dr. Paikowsky will argue that the future space race will be won not only by those whose technological advancements are superior but by those whose economic, legal, social, and political institutions are most innovative, attractive, and favored to other spacefaring nations and entities. In this respect, the United States has an early lead over China and Russia, but it has a long way to go in winning this contest. 

Please confirm your registration here, by May 15, 2023.

More information is available here.

Japanese Space Policy in Transition with Motoko Mizuno, Japanese Diet Member

Japanese Space Policy in Transition with Motor Mizuno, Japanese Diet Member May 5, 2023 3-4:30PM Elliott School of International Affairs, Room 505

Japanese Space Policy in Transition with Motoko Mizuno, Japanese Diet Member

May 5, 2023 | 3-4:30PM

Elliott School of International Affairs | Room 505

The event recording is now available.

 

SPI is pleased to present a discussion of Japanese space policy with Motoko Mizuno, Japanese Diet member and longtime JAXA official.

Ms. Mizuno was recently elected to the House of Councillors, part of the upper house of the Japanese Diet. She is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, which is the largest opposition party in the Diet. Prior to her election, she was a long-time member of the Japanese space agency, JAXA, and a lecturer at the University of Tokyo. She has a strong background in international space cooperation and space law. Her remarks will cover current Japanese space policy and activities, and challenges for JAXA as Japan increases the range and scope of its space activities.

This hybrid event is open to the public and media and it will be recorded. Guest are welcome to join us in-person at the Elliott School of International Affairs or online via Zoom. Please register for more information on how to access the event. Online attendance will be limited; please register early to ensure your spot.

Light snacks will be provided.

Dr. Yaofu Zhou, Recent SPI Alumni, Interviewed in Local TV Program

Dr. Yaofu Zhou, recent SPI alumni, was interviewed by Liam Lobl for a local cable TV program in New York. Liam is a young space enthusiast, and his show focuses on space policy and space sector advancements in partnership with Mayor Paul Feiner.

Their discussion focuses on space as a global commons, and explores pertinent issues and potential policies within this context.

Liam Lobl is a high school junior in the greater New York City area that is fascinated with space law and policy. He works to educate others about the space sector, and is seeking to make future impacts as a member of the space community. He was first drawn into the field through a series of Lincoln Douglas Debate competitions, focusing on the role of private entities in outer space. Ever since, he has become fascinated by the way we can use policy and philosophical concepts to create change for a better, more sustainable future.

Dr. Zhou earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Illinois Institute of Technology, where he participated in particle physics experiments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. He received his Ph.D. in physics from Johns Hopkins University in 2019 with his focus on the numerical simulations for the Large Hadron Collider experiments at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Prior to the graduate program at GWU, Yaofu was a visiting scholar at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, researching international collaboration of big-science projects. Yaofu is a space and aviation enthusiast. He holds a certificate of airplane private pilot and is under active training for instrument rating and commercial certificate. At GWU, Yaofu joined the research group of Prof. Peng Wei from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, which works on autonomy in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Traffic Management for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UTM) with government and industrial partners.

Interview Recording

Thacher Prize Call for Papers

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THACHER PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLICATIONS IN SPACE POLICY
Awarded annually to graduate students who have researched and written papers of exceptional merit involving matters of space policy.
Up to $4,000 Prize for individual or team papers
Criteria:
  • Deadline: May 5, 2023
  • Published or submitted works
  • Conference papers
  • Capstone projects
  • Term Papers: Current of previous semesters not yet submitted for consideration
Please send submissions to spi@gwu.edu
Sponsored by Michael Thacher, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, ’70
Former space sciences writer, long-term docent of Mount Wilson Observatory
Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

Space Exploration Investments

Space Exploration Investments

Turning Uncertainty into Measurable Risk and Benefits

February 9, 2023 | 9:30AM

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

This workshop will focus on ways to evaluate and measure the risks associated with investments in space exploration ventures and on the need to better define viable and affordable options for investors to seize uncertainties. The basic question of whether investments in space exploration activities are “unique” and distinct from more traditional ones needs to be fully addressed and understood to identify the right tools to translate associated uncertainties into measurable risks and create a favorable environment to stimulate investments.

Relevant questions for this workshop to explore are:

• What uncertainties are commonly related to investments and specifically what are the additional uncertainties that are inherent to investments in space activities?

• How are these space investment uncertainties currently addressed by investors and how are they translated into measurable risks? Do different types of) space activities require dedicated analytical techniques, or do they call for only minor adaptations to standard practices of investment analysis?

• Have other analogous non-space industries encountered similar questions of uncertainties and how have they dealt with them? How have those uncertainties been translated into measurable risks?

• What lessons might be learned from other industries’ experiences?

 

AGENDA

09:30-10:00 Introduction and Keynote

Greetings:

• Henry Hertzfeld – Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs, George Washington University Space Policy Institute

• Ian Christensen – Director of Private Sector Programs, Secure World Foundation

• Simonetta Di Pippo – Professor of Practice of Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution (SEE) Lab, SDA Bocconi School of Management

Keynote:

• Scott Pace – Director, George Washington University Space Policy Institute

10:00-11:30 Panel 1: Space exploration investing uncertainties

This panel will provide an overview of the highest priority of uncertainties that private investors interested in space and space exploration activities face and that can be translated into measurable risks. Are they considered as a subset of standard business investment uncertainties or distinguished as unique to space investments?

Moderator:

• Henry Hertzfeld – Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs, George Washington University Space Policy Institute

Speakers:

• Nick Vonortas – Professor of Economics and International Affairs, George Washington University

• Kevin O’Connell – Founder, Space Economy Rising

• Micah Walter-Range – Managing Director, Community in Space, LLC

• Alexis Sainz – Partner, Hogan Lovells

11:00-11:30: Coffee Break

11:45-12:45 Panel 2: Experiences from space exploration investments

This panel will describe how investors actually deal with measurable and unmeasurable uncertainties and explore the existing gaps that should be filled to unlock space investments’ full potential and make the industry’s attractiveness last in the long term. Speakers will describe actual investment issues and decisions based on case studies.

Moderator:

• Simonetta Di Pippo – Professor of Practice of Space Economy and Director of the Space Economy Evolution (SEE) Lab, SDA Bocconi School of Management

Speakers:

• Chris Kunstadter – Global Head of Space, AXA XL

• Tejpaul Bhatia – Chief Revenue Office, Axiom Space

• Chris Blackerby – Chief Operating Officer, Astroscale

• Pierpaolo Monti – Country Manager USA & Americas, Intesa Sanpaolo

12:45-1:45 Lunch

1:30-2:30 Panel 3: Experiences from non-space industries

Have other analogous high-tech non-space industries encountered similar questions of risk and uncertainties and how have they dealt with them? How have uncertainties been translated into measurable risks? This panel will verify whether experiences from other industries can inspire solutions for translating uncertainties into measurable risks in the space sector.

Moderator:

• Ian Christensen – Director of Private Sector Programs, Secure World Foundation

Speakers:

• Adriana Pierelli – Managing Director, BNY Mellon

• Alex Chunet – ESA representative to the World Bank – Earth Observation Specialist, European Space Agency

• Matteo DI Castelnuovo – Associate Professor of Practice, SDA Bocconi School of Management

2:30-3:30: Breakout Sessions (with coffee)

Drawing from the discussions in the earlier panels can we identify ways towards turning that uncertainty into describable risk that be measured and tracked to help define viable and affordable options for both policymakers and investors.

Moderators:

• Mattia Pianorsi, Researcher at the Space Economy Evolution (SEE) Lab, SDA Bocconi School of Management

• Clelia Iacomino, Researcher at the Space Economy Evolution (SEE) Lab, SDA Bocconi School of Management

3:30-4:30: Panel 4: Summary of Breakout Sessions emphasizing conclusions from the day’s panels and activities

This panel will include at least one person from each of the breakouts. Drawing from the discussion in the earlier panels, this panel will identify ways towards closing the existing gaps in the space investing framework related to turning identified uncertainties into describable risks, with the aim to help define viable and affordable options for investors. This panel will discuss whether the emerged insights can provide valuable solutions for the space industry and to explore the broader possibilities for future investment arrangements.

The morning panels will be held in-person, with a few panelists participating virtually, and will also be available on-line. The lunch and afternoon sessions will only be in-person. Discussions in the afternoon session will follow Chatham House rules.

Registration is required, whether you attend in-person or via Zoom. The Zoom link to access the discussion will be sent to you after you’ve registered.

University Participation in Cis-Lunar Space

University Participation in Cis-Lunar Space

Cis-Lunar Space: Research for Today, Training for Tomorrow

March 23, 2023 | 1PM

Holiday Inn Washington Capitaol – Nat’l Mall

The event recording is now available.

How Can Evolving Cis-Lunar Capabilities Contribute to Science, Commerce, and Security? This symposium will explore accelerating activity in Cislunar space and what it means for future scientific advances, research opportunities, and the future of the Cislunar ecosystem.

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA

1:00 P.M. Welcome and Introductory Remarks

  • JEFF ISAACSON, USRA President and CEO
  • SCOTT PACE, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

1:10 P.M. Frederick A. Tarantino Memorial Address

  • ROBERT CABANA, Associate Administrator, NASA

1:45 P.M. Coffee Break

2:00 P.M. Cislunar Technical Challenges and Opportunities

Accelerating activity in Cislunar space necessitates new scientific advances in energy, communications, and logistics. Space is also becoming an arena for technological shows of economic and military force. Panelists will discuss the technical challenges and opportunities in the coming decades.

  • NANTEL SUZUKI, NASA Human Landing System Program Executive
  • BADRI YOUNES, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Communications and Navigation
  • LINDSAY MILLARD, Principal Director for Space, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
  • EMMA RAINEY, Senior Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

3:15 P.M. Coffee Break

3:45 P.M. Commercial Innovations and Opportunities in Cislunar Space:

Panelists will provide insight for universities preparing for near-term government and commercial research opportunities in cislunar space. With rapidly increasing spaceflight activities in cislunar space, attendees will hear from government and commercial sector leaders about upcoming innovations and potential opportunities for their respective institutions in space research and development.

  • VINT CERF, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google
  • JUSTIN KASPER, Advanced Technologies, BWX Technologies, Inc.
  • CURTIS HERNANDEZ, Principal for Space Policy, Amazon Web Services
  • DAN HENDRICKSON, Vice President of Business Development, Astrobotic

5:00 P.M. Invitation to the Reception

BRIAN GILCHRIST, Chair, USRA Council of Institutions

 

Registration is required to attend all parts of the event.

This is a “widely-attended gathering” for U.S. government employees. There is no fee for attending, but registration is required. Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating space.

The Strategic Defense Initiative in Retrospect

The Strategic Defense Initiative in Retrospect:

The Past, Present, and Future of Missile Defense

April 28, 2023 | 10AM

Elliott School of International Affairs | City View Room (7th Floor)

On March 23, 1983, US President Ronald Reagan officially announced the Strategic Defense Initiative and a new type of “Star Wars” launched into the national discourse. Forty years later, please join the Space Policy Institute and RAND as they mark this anniversary with an extensive examination of missile defense. Featuring a keynote lecture from Assistant Secretary of State Mallory Stewart, this conference will convene three expert panels to explore the past, present, and future of missile defense.

The event recording is now available.

Also check out the conference notes, with key highlights.

 

ABOUT THE AGENDA

10:00AM, Welcoming Remarks

  • Alyssa Ayres, Dean, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

10:15AM, Keynote Lecture

  • Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance (AVC)

11:00AM, Reflections on SDI

  • Dana Johnson, Director, International Outreach & Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research & Engineering)
  • Asif Siddiqi, Professor, Fordham University
  • Anthony Eames, Director of Scholarly Initiatives, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
  • Stanley Orman, Former Minister in British Embassy Washington, Deputy Director of AWRE, Aldermaston, and Director General of UK SDI Participation Organization
  • Moderated by Professor Aaron Bateman, George Washington University

12:00PM, Lunch

1:00PM, Missile Defense at Present

  • Laura Grego, Senior Scientist and Research Director, Global Security Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
  • James Bonomo, Senior Physical Scientist, RAND
  • Mark Lewis, Executive Director, National Defense Industrial Association
  • Sanne Verschuren, Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for International Studies, Sciences Po
  • Moderated by Professor Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

2:00PM, Coffee Break

2:15PM, The Future of Missile Defense

  • Jeffrey Lewis, Professor, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
  • Sarah Miniero, Principal, Potomac Advocates
  • Dean Cheng, Senior Advisor, China Program, United States Institute of Peace
  • Tom Karako, Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Missile Defense Project, CSIS
  • Moderated by Professor Aaron Bateman, George Washington University

3:15PM, Closing Remarks

ABOUT ACCESSING THE EVENT

This event will be held in the City View Room on the 7th floor of the Elliott School of International Affairs at 1957 E ST NW, Washington, DC. It will also be broadcast via Zoom. Please register if you’d like to attend the event in-person or via Zoom. Your registration confirmation and ticket will contain the Zoom link you’ll use to join the event.

Space and Cybersecurity

Space and Cybersecurity

April 25, 2023 | 1PM-2:30PM

Elliott School of International Affairs | Room 505 (5th Floor)

The Space Policy Institute and Institue for International Science and Technology Policy are pleased to present a panel discussion focusing on the nexus of space and cybersecurity.

The event recording is now available.

 

AGENDA

1:00PM: Keynote Remarks

  • Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

1:10PM: Panel Discussion

  • Gil Baram, Affiliate of Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation
  • Melissa Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Technology and National Security at Johns Hopkins University
  • Neil Sherwin-Peddie, Head of Space Security and Enterprise Security at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, former Deputy Head of Information Assurance at the U.K. Foreign Office
  • Moderated by Aaron Bateman, Assistant Professor, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

This will be a hybrid event. You’re welcome to join us in-person at 1957 E ST NW or online via Zoom. Please register to receive more information on how to access the event.

The event is open to the public and media and it will be recorded.

Light snacks will be provided.