Abstract

Earth’s orbit is increasingly congested, both with space debris as well as the growing number of new space objects being launched. The congestion could potentially threaten our access to space if steps are not taken to manage the problem.

The webinar will address the challenges posed by the congestion to humanity’s space activities, as well as how we can manage these challenges and ensure continued safe and sustainable access to orbit. Issues to be potentially discussed include the ongoing efforts – from the technological as well as policy and regulatory perspectives – to mitigate and remediate space debris, manage space weather risks, to enhance space situational awareness and put in place space traffic management and coordination mechanisms, to preserve dark and quiet skies, and others.

Organised by the Future Issues and Technology Research Cluster with support from the Centre of Excellence for National Security, RSIS.

About the Panellists

Krystal Azelton is the Director of Space Applications Programs at Secure World Foundation, a private, operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space. There, she focuses on the Human and Environmental Security initiative, which promotes improved governance and cooperation in the delivery and use of information derived from space systems. In this role, she represents herself and the organization at the United Nations, the Group on Earth Observation, and at topical conferences, events, and workshops around the world. She has over 14 years of international and domestic space, public policy, and management experience.

Nikolai Khlystov is the Lead for Space at the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution of the World Economic Forum, in Geneva, Switzerland. Nikolai leads the organization’s various efforts related to space such as Future of Space Economy and Policy, Space Sustainability, and the Global Future Council on Space. He has supported the Socio-Economic Panel of the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group and is currently a member of the IAA Permanent Committee on Space Traffic Management. He has participated in several space related panels and conversations. He is a graduate of the Global Leadership Fellows Master programme at the Forum; he also holds a master’s degree in international business management from University of Geneva and a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Nikolai first became passionate about space in his last year of university.

Quentin Verspieren is the PROTECT Accelerator Coordinator at the Strategy and Transformation Office, Directorate of Operations, European Space Agency. In this role, he leads the development of ambitious European initiatives on debris mitigation and remediation, and on space weather services. Dr. Verspieren is also a visiting Assistant Professor at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Governance (STIG) program, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo. He has two master’s degrees in aerospace engineering (ISAE-SUPAERO and The University of Tokyo) and a Ph.D. in public policy (The University of Tokyo).

Charity Weeden is Vice President, Global Space Policy and Government Relations at Astroscale U.S., coordinating and synchronizing   Astroscale’s   global   policy   efforts   towards   spaceflight   safety   and   long-term   space sustainability. She leads and coordinates a global team of policy professionals in government relations, licensing and regulations, best practice and standards formulation, strategy and more. She is a 23-year veteran of the RCAF, starting her career as a CP-140 (P-3) maritime patrol Air Navigator conducting airborne maritime surveillance operations, followed by assignments as Deputy Sensor Manager for the U.S. Space Surveillance Network at U.S. Air Force Space Command, policy officer at NORAD and USNORTHCOM, and as Flight Support Operations Manager at the Canadian Space Agency. Charity Weeden is currently a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, on the advisory board of Via Satellite, and volunteers as mentor for the Brooke Owens Fellowship. She received her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and a master’s degree in Space Science from the University of North Dakota and is an alumnus of the International Space University Summer Session Program.

About the Moderator

Chris Leck is currently on sabbatical leave from the Singapore Public Service, Chris Leck was last the Deputy Executive Director of Singapore’s national space office, the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn). He was recognised in the Apolitical and World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Agile Governance’s 2021 Agile 50 list, as one of the world’s 50 most influential people navigating disruption. Chris has served for more than 20 years in various capacities within the Singapore Public Service. Prior to his OSTIn role, other senior appointments he held included Deputy Group Director (Technology & Industry Development) at the Land Transport Authority, Director of the Futures & Transformation Division at the Ministry of Transport, and Director of Strategic and Political-Military Planning as well as Director of International Relations for the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa at the Ministry of Defence.He graduated from the London School of Economics with a bachelor’s degree in government & economics. He also holds master’s degrees in political science and international law from Columbia University, the Australian National University and Tel Aviv University, and attended the general management programme at INSEAD.