Space Talk

Listen in to this teleconference from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory team on a new discovery: The Phoenix Cluster Sets Record Pace at Forming Stars. Astronomers have found an extraordinary galaxy cluster, one of the largest objects in the universe, that is breaking several important cosmic records. Observations of the Phoenix cluster with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the National Science Foundation's South Pole Telescope, and eight other world-class observatories may force astronomers to rethink how these colossal structures and the galaxies that inhabit them evolve. The panelists on the teleconference are: -- Michael McDonald, Hubble Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. -- Bradford Benson, astrophysicist, University of Chicago -- Megan Donahue, professor of astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing -- Martin Rees, professor of cosmology and astrophysics, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

An update about the Mars Science Laboratory mission including questions from the media. As well new images from the Curiosity rover have been released as part of a NASA teleconference that took place on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/telecon/

Because space is becoming more congested with more countries seeking its benefits, it is easy to overlook a primary space player which has been involved from the beginning of the space age: Russia. Still, Russia's efforts in space have shaped international discussions on space security and sustainability, and their plans for space will continue to affect other space actors. Additionally, Russia's space program is at an interesting point: while they presently are the only way that the United States can access the International Space Station, they are also seeking to match or even surpass the United States in overall space capabilities. Furthermore, Moscow is likely monitoring the efforts of other rising Asian space powers, though Russia and China have worked together in international discussions on space security issues. Please join the Secure World Foundation as we host "Russia's Space Plans," a panel discussion that examines Russia's space history, the current status of its space program and efforts in inter

While the advent of emerging space nations certainly creates opportunities, it also raises new concerns. Balancing these new sets of opportunities and risks, requires an understanding of the rationale and development paths of all space actors, in particular emerging ones. An analysis of six emerging space nations (South Africa, Brazil, and India compared against Nigeria, Venezuela, and Malaysia) reveals opportunities and challenges to space sustainability. "Analyzing the Development Paths of Emerging Space Nations: Opportunities or Challenges for Space Sustainability?" examines the selected nations' space policy development and interest (or lack thereof) in international cooperation, assessing how best the United States and the international community can reach out to these emerging space actors in the advancement of space sustainability.The authors also look at the European Union's draft Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities to assess how the countries examined in this research view this proposed mecha

This event was a follow up to the 2011 Secure World Foundation (SWF) - Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) International Workshop on Space Policies and Laws held in Beijing in May of 2011. The CAS workshop brought regional and international space experts together to discuss both the current state of Asia's space policy as well as the importance of cooperation as Asia becomes increasingly involved in space. "Asian Space Policy and the United States" featured a panel discussing the Beijing workshop, the direction of Asia space, and the role the United States' policy community can play in shaping that direction. This panel focused primarily on the People's Republic of China. Following the panel discussion, there was an open Q&A session. Speakers: Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, East Asia Non-Proliferation Program, Monterey Institute Ms. Alanna Krolikowski, University of Toronto Mr. Ben Baseley-Walker, Advisor on Security Policy and International Law, Secure World Foundation Moderator: Ms. Victoria Samson, Washingto

On July 17th the Secure World Foundation announced the release of the 2012 Space Security Index by hosting a panel discussion. The event featured four distinguished speakers who discussed the most important events affecting space security in the past year and examined what might be coming up over the next year. It was moderated by Ms. Victoria Samson, DC Office Director of the Secure World Foundation. Following the presentations, there was an open Q&A session. The panelists were: Mr. Cesar Jaramillo - Project Ploughshares Ms. Carissa Christensen - The Tauri Group Mr. Michael Listner - Legal and Policy Consultant with Space Law and Policy Solutions Ms. Audrey Schaffer - Office of the Secretary of Defense-Policy, Space

This podcast was recorded on July 10th at the bi-monthly meeting of the Canadian Space Commerce Association in Toronto. You can learn more about this organization on their web site, spacecommerce.ca. The featured guest speaker at the meeting was Jean-Marc Chouinard a veteran at the Canadian Space Agency who is Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs. In his first public talk on today's topic, he discusses the United Nations Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. The Canadian Space Agency feels that it is very important Canadians be engaged in this UN activity, as it will affect them in the future. The Canadian Space Agency will be soliciting input from Canadians this fall in preparation to submit Canada's input into a final UN report and guidelines that will be published in 2014. Accompanying documents can be found on the SpaceRef Canada web site.

The Mars Science Laboratory will deliver the Curiosity rover to the surface of Mars at approximately 10:31 p.m. PDT on Aug. 5 (1:31 a.m. EDT on Aug. 6). Curiosity, carrying laboratory instruments to analyze samples of rocks, soil and atmosphere, will investigate whether Mars has ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life. Participants are: -- Doug McCuistion, director, Mars Exploration Program, NASA Headquarters -- Michael Meyer, lead scientist, Mars Exploration Program, NASA Headquarters -- John Grotzinger, MSL project scientist, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. -- Pete Theisinger, MSL project manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena -- Jeff Norris, manager, planning and execution systems, Jet Propulsion Laboratory