Documents and Press

The OSI produces white papers, original research, and public communications, such as op-eds and interviews. We are just getting started, so while modest at the moment, expect this area to grow. Opinions expressed in the associated work are those of the authors, and do not reflect an official position of the OSI.

• OSI June 2023 Newsletter
  • The June 2023 newsletter provides updates on recent and upcoming OSI initiatives, highlights some media appearances and publications by the Fellows, as well as the Montreal Recommendations on Aviation Safety and Uncontrolled Space Object Reentries. You can view it here.
• Montreal Recommendations on Aviation Safety and Uncontrolled Space Object Reentries (March 2023)
  • In February 2023, the OSI, McGill Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL), and the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) hosted a group of interdisciplinary experts in Montreal, Canada for two days of discussion on the risks that uncontrolled space object reentries pose to commercial aviation activity. The Montreal Recommendations are the result of these discussions and you can read them here. You can find the workshop’s opening remarks by Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) here.
  • Non-Kinetic Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASATs)”- Submission to the third substantive session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on “Reducing Space Threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours”
    • OSI Fellow Paul Meyer led a working group consisting of Michael Byers, Aaron Boley, Adam Bower and Jessica West in the preparation of a submission to the third substantive session of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on “Reducing Space Threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours” that calls attention to non-kinetic ASAT weapons. Read it here.
  • 2023 Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Public Consultation on Canada’s Space Regulatory Framework
    • Several OSI Fellows have submitted a short report and recommendations as part of the 2023 Canadian Space Agency public consultation on Canada's space regulatory framework. The full report and recommendations can be viewed here (link).
  • International Open Letter on Reducing Risks from Uncontrolled Reentries of Rocket Bodies
    • The Outer Space Institute is pleased to publish the International Open Letter on Reducing Risks from Uncontrolled Reentries of Rocket Bodies, the third international open letter developed and released by the OSI. This Open Letter calls on governments to negotiate a multilateral agreement requiring controlled reentries and, in the meantime, demonstrate leadership by immediately and unilaterally committing to national controlled reentry regimes. You can read the full letter here.
    • The International Open Letter on Reducing Risks from Uncontrolled Reentries of Rocket Bodies is now open for signatures. Should you wish to add your name to the growing list of former foreign ministers, presidents of space agencies, astronauts, ambassadors, and other leaders in space sustainability, please use the following form (link). The current full list of signatories is available here (link). Note: updates may take a few minutes to show.
  • OSI December 2022 Newsletter
    • The December 2022 newsletter provides updates on recent and upcoming OSI initiatives, highlights some media appearances and publications by the Fellows, as well as the International Open Letter on Uncontrolled Reentries. You can view it here.
  • Outer Space Institute supports Net Zero Space Initiative (18 July 2022).
    • Read the OSI’s supporting statement here.
  • 'Unnecessary risks created by uncontrolled rocket reentries' in Nature Astronomy (2022). By Michael Byers, Aaron Boley, Ewan Wright and Cameron Byers. The article is published with open access here. Coverage of the article can be found at New Scientist, The Verge, Smithsonian Magazine, Cosmos Magazine, Global News, and more.

    • Abstract: Most space launches result in uncontrolled rocket body reentries, creating casualty risks for people on the ground, at sea and in aeroplanes. These risks have long been treated as negligible, but the number of rocket bodies abandoned in orbit is growing, while rocket bodies from past launches continue to reenter the atmosphere due to gas drag. Using publicly available reports of rocket launches and data on abandoned rocket bodies in orbit, we calculate approximate casualty expectations due to rocket body reentries as a function of latitude. The distribution of rocket body launches and reentries leads to the casualty expectation (that is, risk to human life) being disproportionately borne by populations in the Global South, with major launching states exporting risk to the rest of the world. We argue that recent improvements in technology and mission design make most of these uncontrolled reentries unnecessary, but that launching states and companies are reluctant to take on the increased costs involved. Those national governments whose populations are being put at risk should demand that major spacefaring states act, together, to mandate controlled rocket reentries, create meaningful consequences for non-compliance and thus eliminate the risks for everyone.

  • Statement by OSI Co-Directors on US ASAT Missile Test Ban
    • On 18 April 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the United States would commit to not conduct destructive, direct-ascent ASAT (anti-satellite) missile tests. Read a statement by OSI co-directors Aaron Boley and Michael Byers on the development here.
  • OSI April 2022 Newsletter
    • The April 2022 newsletter provides updates on recent and upcoming OSI initiatives, highlights some media appearances and publications by the Fellows, and announces a new lecture series organized by the OSI and sponsored by MDA. You can view it here.
  • Canada and the Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats (Webinar)
  • On February 10th, The Outer Space Institute organized a webinar on Canada and a new UN Open-Ended Working Group on "Reducing Space Threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours." The event was moderated by David Kendall and presentations were made by Paul Meyer, Jessica West, Sarah Thiele, Aaron Boley and Michael Byers. The texts of speakers Meyer and Kendall are available. A summary of the discussion segment of the webinar, which was held under the Chatham House rule, is available here. Program and biographical information on the speakers and moderator can be found here.
  • International Open Letter on Kinetic Anti Satellite (ASAT) Testing
  • The Outer Space Institute is pleased to publish the International Open Letter on Kinetic Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Testing, the second Open Letter coordinated by the OSI. This letter urges the UN General Assembly to take up consideration of a treaty that would prohibit conducting debris-generating anti-satellite weapon tests. The need for such a treaty is driven by very rapid growth in the number of satellites in orbit. The letter with an appended list of early signatories is available HERE.
  • The International Open Letter on Kinetic Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Testing is now open for additional signatures. Should you wish to add your name, please use the following form (link). The current full list of signatories is available here (link). Note: updates may take a few minutes to show.
  • In October 2021, the Centre for Global Law and Governance at the University of St Andrews hosted a roundtable discussion centred on the OSI’s international open letter on kinetic ASAT testing. Adam Bower (moderator) and panellists Michael Byers, Victoria Samson and Sarah Thiele breakdown the technological, scientific, legal and diplomatic context of the letter and consider additional prospects for regulating ASAT systems as well as the political limits to developing restratins. Watch it here: CGLG Roundtable — Banning Space Weapons?
  • Preliminary discussion on the 15 November 2021 Russian ASAT test
  • The OSI has released a short paper on the 15 November 2021 Russian ASAT test which includes the following figure showing the orbital trajectory of about 260 pieces of Kosmos-1408 debris (in grey) generated by the test:
    
  • The full paper is available here: Russian ASAT test: A preliminary discussion (updated with a new plot on 7 December 2021)
  • Written contribution to the first session of the United Nation Open-Ended Working Group on “Reducing Space Threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours”
    • In May 2022, Paul Meyer led several Fellows of the OSI in preparing a written submission to the first session of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on “Reducing Space Threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours.”
  • OSI November 2021 Newsletter
    • The November 2021 newsletter provides updates on recent and upcoming OSI initiatives, introduces several new OSI Fellows, and highlights select work and publications from over the past several months. You can view it here.
  • OSI April 2021 Newsletter
  • The April 2021 newsletter reflects on OSI activities over the past year and highlights some recent initiatives, public commutations and academic work by OSI Fellows. You can view it here.
  • Response to the CSA Request for Consultation on a Framework for Future Space Exploration
  • Aaron Boley and Sam Lawler have submitted a report and recommendations concerning the impacts of satellite mega-constellations on astronomy. The full report can be viewed here (link).
  • Upon signing the Artemis Accords, the Government of Canada announced a consultation process on a framework for space exploration. As per the call, "The Government of Canada is seeking views from industry, academia, non-governmental groups, and the general public to expand, refine, and solidify this framework to help ensure safe and sustainable space exploration for decades to come."
  • The OSI's response can be viewed here (link), which calls for a commitment to full multilateral negotiations, emphasizes the need for Canada to urgently develop its position on space exploration activities, and highlights several areas where Canada can take leadership roles.
  • International Open Letter on Space Mining and Signature Form
  • Important update: The OSI is pleased to see that the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has established a Working Group on Space Resource Utilization
  • The Outer Space Institute is pleased to publish the International Open Letter on Space Mining (link), which stresses the need for a multilateral agreement on the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources and calls on states to present a resolution at the UN General Assembly that urges the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to negotiate a draft of such an agreement. The list of early signatories is appended to the letter.
  • The International Open Letter on Space Mining is now open for additional signatures. Should you wish to add your name, please use the following form (link). The current full list of signatories is available here (link). Note: updates may take a few minutes to show.
  • Globe and Mail press article about the letter can be found here (link).
  • Recommendations and Government Relations
  • Open Letter to the Canadian Government Concerning Space Resources
    • On 6 April 2020, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order on Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources wherein the U.S. Administration takes the unprecedented position that outer space is not a global commons. The following open letter strongly urges the Government of Canada to reiterate its policy that outer space is a global commons and work through multilateral forums to seek a widely-supported international agreement on how space resources should be recovered and used: PDF
  • The Vancouver Recommendations on Space Mining
    • In early March 2020, two dozen experts convened at the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Brought together by the Outer Space Institute, they came from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, including government, industry, and academia. The composition of the group was very transdisciplinary, with representation from astronomy, planetary science, engineering, environmental science, international relations, and international law. The experts adopted the following Recommendations concerning space mining: PDF . The Recommendations were drafted in consultation with industry leaders, the CSA, GAC, and NRCan.
  • Salt Spring Recommendations
    • The Recommendations were adopted at an international workshop on ‘Space Debris and National Security’ on Salt Spring Island, Canada, on January 10 and 11, 2020. They reflect a consensus view, and should not be attributed to the individual participants. The workshop was convened by the Outer Space Institute and the University of British Columbia with financial support from the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Salt Spring Forum: PDF
  • Research Articles
  • Can Outer Space be Kept Free of Armed Conflict? by Paul Meyer. RUSI Journal, July 20, 2023.
  • COPUOS: Present and Future Challenges by David Kendall and Gérard Brachet. Air & Space Law, vol. 48. March 2023.
  • Restraining an Arms Race in Outer Space by Paul Meyer. Survival, April 1, 2022.
  • Cis-lunar Space and the Security Dilemma by Aaron Boley and Michael Byers. Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, January 18, 2022.
  • "Visibility Predictions for Near-Future Satellite Megaconstellations: Latitudes near 50◦ will Experience the Worst Light Pollution" by Aaron Boley, Sam Lawler and Hanno Rein. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal. 2021.
  • "Could an optional protocol be the way to stop the weaponization of outer space?" by Paul Meyer. International Journal: Canada’s Journal of Global Policy Analysis, June 3, 2021.
  • "Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth," by Aaron Boley and Michael Byers. Scientific Reports, May 20, 2021. This article has been covered on CBC , Popular Mechanics, Tech Times, Futurism and many more!
  • "Everything you wanted to know about space radiation but were afraid to ask" by Jeffery Chancellor, et al. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, April 2021.
  • “African Youth Engagement with Global Space Governance: The Case of Arizona State University's Interplanetary Initiative Space Governance Innovation Contest” by Timiebi Aganaba, Matt Contursi, Mariam Naseem, Nifemi Awe, and Julia Selman Ayetey. New Space, March 19, 2021.
  • "Assessing and Minimizing Collisions in Satellite Mega-Constellations " by Nathan Reiland, Aaron J. Rosengren, Renu Malhotra, Claudio Bombardelli. Advances in Space Research. 2021.
  • "Space Debris, Space Situational Awareness and Cultural Heritage Management in Earth Orbit" by Alice Gorman. In Melissa De Zwart and Stacey Henderson (eds.) Commercial and Military Uses of Space. 2021.
  • ”U.S. Space Policy puts the safe development of space at risk” by Boley and Byers. Science, October 9, 2020. A response to letters about the article, with full content are available here (link)
  • "Meteoroid Stream Formation Due to the Extraction of Space Resources from Asteroids" by Fladeland, Boley, and Byers. Conference paper for the 1st International Orbital Debris Conference, December 9-12, 2019.
  • "The Role of NewSpace in Furthering Canadian Astronomy" by Boley et al. White Paper for the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020, September 2019.
  • "Cold, dark, and dangerous: international cooperation in the arctic and space" by Byers. Polar Record, June 10, 2019.
  • "Toxic splash: Russian rocket stages dropped in Arctic waters raise health, environmental and legal concerns" by Byers and Byers. Polar Record, October 02, 2017.
  • Conference Presentations
  • "Preliminary Planetary Defence" presentation by Michael Byers at the 8th IAA Planetary Defense Conference, 3-7 April 2023, Vienna, Austria. The presentation begins at 40 mins and includes an overview of the Preliminary Planetary Defence Decision Tree.
  • "Precautionary Planetary Defence" Presentation by Boley at the 7th IAA Planetary Defense Conference, 26-30 April 2021, Vienna, Austria.
  • "Meteoroid Stream Formation Due to the Extraction of Space Resources from Asteroids" by Fladeland, Boley, and Byers. Presentation by Boley at the 1st International Orbital Debris Conference, December 9-12, 2019, Sugar Land, TX, USA
  • "On the possibility of debris stream formation during asteroid mining operations" by Boley and Fladeland. Originally published during the AAS Division of Planetary Science 50th meeting, Knoxville, October 2018
  • Op-Eds and Explainers
    • "The Arms Race in Outer Space – Prevention or Proliferation?" by Paul Meyer. Center for International Policy Studies, November 7, 2023.
    • "Star-crossed States: No result from the UN Working Group on Reducing Space Threats" by Paul Meyer. Open Canada, September 24, 2023.
    • "Star-crossed States: No result from the UN Working Group on Reducing Space Threats" by Paul Meyer. Open Canada, September 24, 2023.
    • "As satellite use grows, geopolitical conflicts could spill into outer space", by Paul Meyer for the Globe and Mail. Available as a PDF here.
    • "In the Chinese spy balloon crisis, cooler heads prevailed – and that’s a good thing", by Michael Byers for the Globe and Mail.
    • "Restraint in outer space benefits everyone", by Paul Meyer for the Globe and Mail.
    • "Looking back from beyond the moon: How views from space have changed the way we see Earth" By Alice Gorman for Space.com.
    • "Will the International Space Station survive the war in Ukraine?" By Michael Byers and Aaron Boley for the Globe and Mail.
    • "After 45 years, the 5-billion-year legacy of the Voyager 2 interstellar probe is just beginning ," Alice Gorman for Space.com
    • "Ballooning satellite populations in low Earth orbit portend changes for science and society," Physics Today 75, 4, 25 (2022). With insights from Sam Lawler, Aaron Boley and Moriba Jah.
    • "Shunning of Russia strains International Space Station partnership" by Ivan Semeniuk, with insights from David Kendall.
    • "When Russia Invaded Ukraine it Threatened Peace and Cooperation in Outer Space" by Kuan-Wei Chen, Bayar Goswami, and Ram Jakhu. Published at The Conversation.
    • "Op-Ed: Satellites may devastate research astronomy. How we can save the night sky for science." By Sam Lawler for the LA Times.
    • "Moonwalking: When other worlds belong to women." An essay by Alice Gorman. Published in the Griffith Review.
    • "An anti-satellite weapon test ban is necessary to preserve peace in outer space" by Paul Meyer. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "We must ban anti-satellite weapons testing to stop space from becoming a minefield" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Space exploration should aim for peace, collaboration and cooperation, not war and competition." by Sam Lawler. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "Space exploration should aim for peace, collaboration and cooperation, not war and competition." by Kuan-Wei Chen, Ram Jahku and Steven Freeland. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "Keen to sign up for space tourism? Here are 6 things to consider (besides the price tag)" by Steven Freeland. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "Bigwigs! In! Space! For Branson and Bezos, astro-tourism is an adventure and an obsession" by Aaron Boley and Michael Byers. Originally published at the Globe and Mail.
    • "#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Space Debris – A Major Challenge for the Future of Humanity" by Steven Freeland. Originally published at SpaceWatch.Global.
    • "It’s not too late to save the night sky, but governments need to get serious about protecting it" by Aaron Boley and Samantha Lawler. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "If a satellite falls on your house, space law protects you – but there are no legal penalties for leaving junk in orbit" by Timiebi Aganaba. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "It’s not how big your laser is, it’s how you use it: space law is an important part of the fight against space debris" by Steven Freeland and Annie Handmer. Originally published at The Conversation.
    • "Toward a decision-intelligent process to assess collision risks in space” by Moriba Jah. Originally published at SpaceWatch.Global.
    • "Can Space Exploration be Environmentally Friendly?" BBC Science News with Moriba Jah as a guest.
    • "Elon Musk of Mars: a space fantasy with real consequences here on Earth" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Data renaisscientists, the modern day knowledge sculptors" by Moriba Jah. Originally published in Aerospace America. You can find Moria’s monthly op-eds for Aerospace America here.
    • "Space Law Explained" by Timiebi Aganaba. Originally published in Center for International Governance Innovation.
    • "Space Café WebTalk by SpaceWatch.Global" with Prof. Ram Jakhu as a guest.
    • "Innovative Instruments for Space Governance" by Timiebi Aganaba. Originally published in Center for International Governance Innovation.
    • "In space, finding the facts we don’t know we know" by Moriba Jah. Originally published in Aerospace America.
    • "Who is responsible for heritage in outer space?" By Alice Gorman. Originally published in Apollo.
    • "Arms Control in Outer Space: Mission Impossible or Unrealized Potential?" by Paul Meyer. Originally published at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
    • "Can the Moon be a person? As lunar mining looms, a change of perspective could protect Earth’s ancient companion” by Alice Gorman. Originally published in The Conversation.
    • It’s Time for a Truly Canadian Space Mission" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in The Tyee.
    • "Executive Orders and Artemis Accords -- Considerations for Canada", Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, David Kendall. Originally published on SpaceQ.
    • "The United States is going back to space. But we have some things to figure out on Earth first" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Satellites and space debris are polluting our orbit. More than the stars are at stake" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in The Globe and Mail.
    • "How Elon Musk can help save astronomy" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
    • "May the Space Force be with you: Canada and the non-weaponization of Space" by Paul Meyer. Originally published in The Hill.
    • "Star Wars: Coming soon to a space near you – the diplomatic alternative" by Paul Meyer. Originally published for the Centre for International Policy Studies.
    • "Cold, dark and dangerous: The connection between the Arctic and outer space" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "With investment in Telesat, Canada enters the communications space race" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Did climate change destroy the aliens?" by Michael Byers and Kent A. Peacock. Originally published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
    • "Toxic rocket fuel a hidden hazard for Canso" by Michael Byers and Cameron Byers. Originally published in The Chronicle Herald.
    • "Relax: An asteroid will just miss hitting Earth. But our actions could still have a deep impact" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Washington sparks a space spat at the United Nations" by Paul Meyer. Originally published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
    • "Canada should lend the Lunar Gateway project a hand – or even a whole arm" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Canada and space security diplomacy: getting back into the game" by Paul Meyer. Published in The Hill Times, 26th November 2018 (no link at this time).
    • "Soyuz rocket failure: Russia has lost its reputation as a space leader" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Trump wants a Space Force. He won't get one" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
    • "Elon Musk, President of Mars?" by Michael Byers. Originally published in the Washington Post.
  • Podcasts and Series
    • "Space Café Podcast" hosted by SpaceWatch.Global.
    • Morbia Jah’s monthly Space Café WebTalk series “Moriba’s Vox Populi.”
    • Steven Freeland’s Space Café WebTalk series “Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”
  • Podcasts and Web Series Featuring Fellows
    • Youth Fusion Podcast, Space for Peace: A Conversation with Professor Paul Meyer.
    • "On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko: The future of conflict in space with Paul Meyer.
    • "Space Café Canada by Dr. Jessica West : Is arms control rocket science?" with Paul Meyer as a guest.
    • Russia and space cooperation, Quirks and Quarks hosted by Bob McDonald with guest Mac Evans.
    • Talking Constitutions hosted by John Hudson featuring Michael Byers, Timiebi Aganaba and Adam Bower for a discussion on space, law and constitutions.
    • 27,000+ Pieces of Trash Are Floating Around in Space The Space Show hosted by Becky Ferreira with Moriba Jah as a guest.
    • "Space Café Canada by Dr. Jessica West: Blinded by the light," with Sam Lawler as a guest.
    • Space Junk, StarLink and Falling Rockets, Cosmic Queries web series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice with Moriba Jah as a guest.
    • "Exploring the Future of Space Governance, with Timiebi Aganaba" Resources Radio podcast with Timiebi Aganaba as a guest.
    • "Is Space a Finite Natural Resource? One Expert Says Yes" Space to Grow podcast with Moriba Jah as a guest.
    • "The earth's orbit is filling up space junk - what's the solution?" Sunday Extra with Julian Morrow featuring Alice Gorman and Cassandra Steer as guests.
    • "Sustainability in Space" Celestial Citizen podcast with Moriba Jah as a guest.
    • "Space Law – Entering the Space 5.0 Era" Celestial Citizen with Timiebi Aganaba as a guest.
    • "What Will Our Relationship with Space Look Like in 2030" Space to Grow podcast with Timiebi Aganaba as a guest.
    • "Interplanetary Space Highways" Frontier Space podcast with Aaron J. Rosengren as a guest.
    • “A Glowing Interview with Space Radiation Expert Dr. Jeff Chancellor.” Space 3D podcast with Jeff Chancellor as a guest. Part 1 and Part 2.
    • “David Kendall is the quintessential terranuat.” Terranauts Podcast with David Kendall as a guest. Part 1 and Part 2.
    • Alice Gorman - Space Archaeology and why Elon Musk will never call her back. The Space Cafe Podcast #25 with Alice Gorman as a guest.
    • What Do Space and Archaeology Have in Common‪?‬ Space to Grow podcast with Alice Gorman as a guest.
    • "Beyond Earth: The Politics of Space" UBC International Relations Student Association podcast with Michael Byers as a guest.
    • "Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK)" Ologies podcast hosted by Alie Ward with Alice Gorman as a guest.
  Talks
  • "The Security Challenges of Emerging Technologies." Panel discussion organized by Canadian Pugwash and the the Centre for International Policy Studies featuring Paul Meyer. 20 October 2023.
  • "Who Owns Outer Space?: Sustainable Development on the Final Frontier" by Michael Byers and Aaron Boley. This talked took place in February 2023 at the Vancouver Institute (VI).
  • 5th African Space Generation Workshop (2021). Keynote speech by Timiebi Aganaba.
  • The Dangerous Trinity: Nuclear, Space and Emerging Technologies. Presented for the CyFy 2021 Conference. With panellists Wilfred Wan, Paul Meyer and Nivedita Raju. Moderated by Victoria Samson.
  • Who Owns Outer Space?: U.S. policy puts the safe and sustainable development of Space at Risk”. By Michael Byers for the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • “Heritage, Archaeology and Outer Space - Conversation Gorman & Johnson” With Alice Gorman and Anne Johnson. Presented by IUAES Congress.
  • “Developing Norms of Behaviors for Near Earth Space: Safety, Security, and Sustainability” by Moriba Jah.
  • “Issues in the emerging Space 5.0 Era:Environmental Liability at the Frontier” by Timiebi Aganaba.
  • “Developing Norms of Behaviors for Near Earth Space: Safety, Security, and Sustainability” with Moriba Jah.
  • "Diplomacy of Space Security with Professor Paul Meyer" presentation by Paul Meyer hosted by CIC Ottawa.
  • "The Fate of the Outer Space Treaty" organized by the Space Court Foundation with Paul Meyer as a discussant.
  • "Capacity-building for Space Sustainability" webinar hosted by the Secure World Foundation with David Kendall as a discussant.
  • "Future Warfighting Symposium - Space and National Security -- Zoom Panel" hosted by the Naval War College with David Kendall as a discussant.
  • SGAC Space Exploration Project Group Panel Discussion on Lunar Governance with Aaron Boley as a discussant.
  • Space Governance Innovation Contest with principal organizer Timiebi Aganaba and closing remarks by Aaron Boley
  • "TedxASU Talk on The Future of the Space Era 4.0" by Timiebi Aganaba.
  • TED Talk on "The Worlds First Crowdsourced Space Traffic Monitoring System" by Moriba Jah.
  Interviews and News
  • "SpaceX launched at least 40 satellites last week. Here's why that could be a problem." A CNN interview with Sam Lawler.
  • "Shunning of Russia strains International Space Station partnership" on Radio Edmonton with David Kendall as a guest.
  • "Astronauts on ISS seek shelter from a cloud of Russia space junk," an interview with Paul Meyer about Russia’s 2021 ASAT test on Global News Radio.
  • "Satellites and junk are littering space and ruining our night skies" in New Scientist with insights from Sam Lawler. Article by Robin George Andrews.
  • "SpaceX satellite internet Starlink being tested in remote areas of Canada” CBC News with Sam Lawler as a guest.
  • "It’s Important On Land And In The Sea, But Up There Too?" with insights from Alice Gorman. Published by Eugene Daily News.
  • "Satellites versus stars: Which will dominate the sky?" With insights from Sam Lawler and Aaron Boley.
  • "UK night skies will be among worst hit by satellite megaconstellations" in New Scientist with insights from Sam Lawler and Aaron Boley.
  • "Satellite swarms may outshine the night sky’s natural constellations," Sam Lawler on mega-constellations in Science News. Article by Lisa Grossman.
  • "This week in space: How to deflect an asteroid with a SpaceX rocket," Micheal Byers and Aaron Boley on planetary defence in the Houston Chronicle. Article by Asa Stahl.
  • "‘Very Ordinary’ Astronauts Prepare for an Extraordinary Launch to Space" with insights from Timiebi Aganaba. Originally published at the New York Times.
  • "What is the impact of Richard Branson’s space flight?" on CBC’s the National. Tanya Harrison weighs in on Virgin Galactic’s sub-orbital flight.
  • A New Chapter for Space Sustainability,published in the LA Times. With insights from Timiebi Aganaba.
  • A satellite’s impending fiery demise shows how important it is to keep space clean, published at MIT Media Lab. With insights from Moriba Jah.
  • Is Mars Ours? Originally published in the New Yorker. With insights from Moriba Jah and Timiebi Aganaba.
  • Mega-satellite constellations could lead to chain-reaction spacecraft pile-ups in orbit Originally published at CBC. With insights from Aaron Boley.
  • How A Project To Get Humans To Mars Could Solve The Rural Internet Problem NPR with Sam Lawler as a guest.
  • Space Junk Removal Is Not Going Smoothly. Originally published in Scientific American. With insights from Moriba Jah and Alice Gorman.
  • "Solar System Superhighways with Dr. Aaron Rosengren & Di Wu" Weekly Space Hangout: January 20, 2021 with Aaron Rosengren as a guest.
  • "Who owns space? Well it depends who gets there first" by Andy Martin. Originally published in the Independent.
  • "The U.S. Is Trying to Be the 'Gatekeeper' of Space, Researchers Warn" by Becky Ferriera. Originally published in Vice.
  • "Pyne join global push to save outer space from exploitation" by Anthony Galloway. Michael Byers and Aaron Boley quoted. Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald.
  • "As Risks of Space Wars Grow, Policies to Curb Them Lag" by Ramin Skibba. Originally published in Undark Magazine.
  • "This NASA Mission May Cause an Artificial Meteor Shower" by Jonathan O'Callaghan. Originally published in the NYT.
  • "An International Perspective on the Artemis Accords" by Marc Boucher. Originally published on SpaceQ.
  • "Canada Urged Not to Endorse US Approach to Space Mining" by Steven Chase. Originally published in the Globe and Mail.
  • "Modeling Debris from Asteroid Mining to Inform Legal Frameworks" by David Rich. Originally published on The Space Resource.
  • “In space, no one wants to clean up” by Malone Mullin, originally published for the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies.
  • "Steve Burgess Gets Educated: Will Things Get Weird on Mars?" By Steve Burgess. Originally published in the Tyee.
  • "Regulating the Final Frontier" by Richard Littlemore. Originally published in Trek Magazine.
  • "Greening the Future of Outer Space" by Ramin Skibba. Originally published in Smithsonian Magazine.
  • "At Home in Space: Drs. Phyllis Johnson and Peter Suedfeld are investigating the psychosocial effects of long-term space flight" UBC Department of Psychology with Phyllis Johnson and Peter Suedfeld.
  Resources and Initiatives
  • LSU Goes to the Moon! A team at Louisiana State University (LSU) led by Jeffery Chancellor developed instruments to study Space radiation that are now on route to the Moon.
  • AstriaGraph, a tool for viewing current space traffic and resident space object information. Developed and maintained by Moriba Jah and the Astria collaboration. See also the Conjunction Streaming Service Demo.
  • Eyes on the Sky, an initiative to bring space environmentalism education alive. By Moriba Jah and a team at the University of Texas.
  • The Declaration of The Rights of the Moon, drafted by Alice Gorman and colleagues. The Declaration considers humanity’s historic relationship with the Moon and seeks to award protection rights against exploration of the lunar environment. You can read more about the initiative at the Centre for Democratic and Environmental Rights and in a recent article in ABC News.