The Space Policy Institute focuses its activities on policy issues related to the space efforts of the United States and cooperative and competitive interactions in space between the United States and other countries. The Institute provides a setting in which scholars, policy analysts, practitioners, and students can work together to examine and evaluate options for the future in space. It is an affiliate of the International Space University and The Aerospace Corporation. The Space Policy Institute is directed by Dr. Scott Pace.

Recent Events

The Space Policy Institute Presents a Joint Symposium with the European Space Policy Institute on:

Space and Security: Transatlantic Issues and Perspectives

17 November 2009

With this event, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), based in Vienna, Austria, introduces its activities as the prime European think tank in the field of space policy for the first time to the Washington DC space community. The event is hosted by SPI, with which ESPI has developed a close cooperation during the past years.

ESPI inter alia conducts a research program on space and security, covering topics from Space Situational Awareness to space for internal security. This event will comprise presentations of ESPI's recent work in the field of space and security. European activities and positions will be explained and issues of transatlantic cooperation will be raised. The presentations will also provide new perspectives for increased cooperation between Europe and the U.S.
ESPI's presentations will be complemented by a presentation by the SPI
and two distinguished keynote speakers, one from Europe and one
from the U.S.

For more information on the event, including notes, presentation slides, and articles on the symposium, please visit our events page.

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The George Washington Space Society Presents a Panel Discussion on Small Satellites

13 November 2009

A four person panel was on hand at the Elliott School for International Affairs to discuss various topics concerning the burgeoning field of small satellites.

For more information on the event, including notes, presentation slides, and articles on the symposium, please visit our events page.

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A Symposium on "Assessing the Options of the Augustine Committee"

In May, the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee was initiated to assess the present course of U.S. civil spaceflight. The committee published a preliminary report in September highlighting major budgetary constraints facing NASA as well as strategies the agency could employ for a sustained effort at spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit.

On September 28, the George Washington University's Space Policy Institute, hosted current and former senior officials from the government, the aerospace industry, and Congressional staff to discuss the preliminary findings from the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee. Three panels discussed the nature of the findings and how they may impact the future of space exploration, commerce, science, and security.

For more information on the event, including notes, presentation slides, and articles on the symposium, please visit our events page.