Towards a Common Understanding of the Risks and Threats to Safety, Security and Sustainability in Outer Space

The Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS) organised the second part of a virtual EUNPDC Ad hoc seminar on “Towards a common understanding of the risks and threats to safety, security and sustainability in outer space”.

This ad-hoc webinar aimed at building a common understanding of the main risks and threats in space today, through exchanges of views and information between experts. This webinar was designed so that its outputs could contribute to foster discussions at the European level. This international perspective of the main security and safety issues in outer space, built within the 3SOS framework, will serve to provide political recommendations to diplomatic actors across the geopolitical spectrum.

The first round table focused on threats on space security which were not addressed during the first webinar: cyber threats, electronic warfare and air and space integration. The second round table served to move the discussion forward towards a common understanding of risks and threats to safety, security and sustainability in outer space

Agenda

13:00 – 13:10 Introduction and key takeaways from the first seminar

Xavier Pasco, Director, Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS)

Carine Claeys, Special Envoy for Space and Head of SECDEFPOL.5 Space Division, European External Action Service, European Union (EU)

13:10 – 14:10 Session 1: Threats to space security

Increased activities in space and new technologies create emerging threats to human activities in space and on the ground. The previous seminar already addressed threats linked to large constellations, militarisation of outer space and servicing activities. This second seminar will focus on emerging threats, including but not limited to cyber-attacks, electronic warfare, launch and re-entry risks, or near-space activities such as space tourism and HAPS.

Chair: Jana Robinson, Managing Director, Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)

Speakers:

• Beyza Unal, Deputy Director, International Security Department, Chatham House
• Ajey Lele, Senior Fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
• Tal Inbar, Former Head of the Space Research Center, Fisher Institute

14:10 – 14:25 Break

14:25 – 15:25 Session 2: Towards a common understanding of risks and threats

Both seminars have addressed new risks and threats in outer space, related to civilian and military activities. This concluding session will serve to take stock of progress made since the start of the first ad-hoc webinar with regards to reaching a common understanding of risks and threats in outer space, and help envision future common solutions.

Chair: Paul Wohrer, Research Fellow, Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS)

Speakers:

• Guoyu Wang, Dean of Academy of Air, Space Policy and Law, Beijing Institute of Technology
• Setsuko Aoki, Professor of Law, Keio University Law School
• Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Assistant Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad
• Laura Grego, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, Laboratory for Nuclear Security and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

15:25 – 15:30 Concluding Remarks

Carine Claeys, Special Envoy for Space and Head of SECDEFPOL.5 Space Division, European External Action Service, European Union (EU)

Xavier Pasco, Director, Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS)