OSI Fellows and Junior Fellows submitted this comment in response to ISED’s proposed framework for consideration of debris mitigation via station-keeping, collision avoidance, and end-of-life considerations, among others. Our comment intends to support for debris mitigation measures, suggest improved methods, and emphasize the need to protect Dark and Quiet Skies and the Earth-Space environment.
New Moon: A Cislunar Security Workshop Report
On March 1 and 2, 2024, experts from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and countries gathered on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, to discuss existing and foreseeable security-related challenges arising from activities on-and-around the Moon. The workshop and the accompanying research, analysis, and consultations were conducted by the Space Security Network (SSN) and the Outer Space Institute (OSI).
This report is the result of the discussions of the workshop, along with the adoption of the “Moby’s Recommendations on Lunar and Cislunar Security”, which are named after one of the workshop dinner venues. The intended audience for the recommendations is broad, and includes governments, industry, and inter-governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The recommendations are reproduced at the end of this report.
© Aaron Boley and Michael Byers, Outer Space Institute Report, November 2024.
Substantial chance that rocket debris will fall into busy flight path, researchers say
The Independent, with insights from Ewan Wright
Earthquake sensors could help track a different threat: Falling space debris
The Washington Post with insights from Aaron Boley
Airspace closures due to reentering space objects
Ewan Wright, Aaron Boley & Michael Byers. Sci Rep 15, 2966 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84001-2
Astronomy and the Proliferation of Space Objects: Strategies for Addressing Orbital Light and Spectrum Pollution
This report is a public version of a discussion paper prepared for the Astro-Sat Workshop held on November 16th and 17th, 2023 in Vancouver, Canada. Workshop participants included members of the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky (CPS), and of the CPS Work Package 2 (WP2), as well as other experts from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.
© Aaron Boley and Michael Byers, Outer Space Institute Report, November 2024.
Action Item Paragraphs — OSI Workshop on Orbital Light and Spectrum Pollution
On November 16 and 17, 2023, the Outer Space Institute (OSI) hosted a transdisciplinary workshop that addressed the proliferating issue of orbital light and spectrum pollution, resulting from the rapid increase in satellites placed in Earth orbits.
These paragraphs were authored by participants of the workshop. They do not reflect consensus-based or agreed-on recommendations. Rather, they represent a broad collection of rough ideas, suggestions, and potential action items with the aim of advancing the protection of dark and quiet skies from orbital light and spectrum pollution, through education, advocacy, collaboration, and more.
The first international treaty on AI governance – a basis for convergence or dissention?
Paul Meyer. Open Canada
Dueling Diplomacy on Outer Space Security
Paul Meyer. Centre for International Policy Studies Blog.
Security Options for a Troubled World
Discussion hosted by Canadian Pugwash and the Centre for International Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa, with Paul Meyer as a panelist.
Global Cooperation and Space Sustainability; Panel on New Ways Forward to Global Cooperation to Protect Earth from Collisions In and From Space
UNGA79 Science Summit panel featuring OSI Fellow David Kendall
Outer Space and the Arctic: Connections, Opportunities, Challenges
Michael Byers, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) No. 303