Have you ever wondered if Star Wars is a real possibility?
 
In this episode of Space Matters, we sit down with four trailblazing experts in space security: Victoria Sampson (Secure World Foundation), Jessica West (Project Ploughshares), Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UN Institute for Disarmament Research), and Sarah Erickson (UN Institute for Disarmament Research). Each shares their unique journey into the space sector, shedding light on the winding paths that led them to their current roles in space governance. The episode dives into the historical roots of space security, exploring the military origins of space exploration, the critical lessons learned from Cold War-era nuclear tests, and the development of international space treaties.
 
This podcast episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in space governance, international law, and the intersection of technology and global security. Tune in to hear from the experts who are leading the way in shaping the future of space security.
 
For more information about our podcast guests:
 
Jessica West, Project Ploughshares: https://www.ploughshares.ca/author/jessica-west
 
Victoria Samson, Secure World Foundation: https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/victoria-samson/
 
Almudena Azcarate Ortega, UN Institute for Disarmament Research: https://unidir.org/people/almudena-azcarate-ortega/
 
Sarah Erikson, UN Institute for Disarmament Research: https://unidir.org/people/sarah-erickson/
 
More information on topics discussed:

• Outer Space Treaty: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html


• More information about the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/nuclear/npt/#:~:text=The%20NPT%20is%20a%20landmark,and%20general%20and%20complete%20disarmament.

• UN Res 75/36 establishing the Open-Ended Working Group: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3895440?v=pdf


• UN A/Res 77/41 calling for a moratorium on direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2FRES%2F77%2F41&Language=E


• Secure World Foundation report "Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Tests: State Positions on the Moratorium, UNGA Resolution, and Lessons for the Future" https://swfound.org/news/all-news/2023/10/direct-ascent-anti-satellite-missile-tests-state-positions-on-the-moratorium-unga-resolution-and-lessons-for-the-future/


• Recap report by UNIDIR on the OEWG (authored by Almudena and Sarah) https://unidir.org/publication/oewg-on-reducing-space-threats-recap-report/


• Recap report on the OEWG

by Project Ploughshares (authored by Jess West) https://www.ploughshares.ca/reports/the-open-ended-working-group-on-reducing

-space-threats-final-recap


• Cassandra Steer, "Making Arms Control Work" https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/making-space-arms-control-work


• Secure World Foundation, "Global Counterspace Capabilities Report" (co-authored by Victoria Samson and Brian Weeden) https://swfound.org/counterspace/


• UNIDIR report "Space Security and Sustainability: Why Is It Essential for Small Island Nations?" (co-authored by Almudena and Sarah) https://unidir.org/publication/space-security-and-sustainability-why-is-it-essential-for-small-island-nations/

What does a space lawyer do? Join senior fellow Dr. Kat Robison and research affiliate Joel Lisk in this episode of Space Matters, the Space Governance Podcast. They discuss the landscape of space regulation, focusing on Australian domestic space law and broader challenges in outer space regulation. Joel's insights cover the intersection of space laws with cultural and scientific rights, intellectual property rights in space, space debris, and data security. He also explores the future of space law amidst the commercialisation of outer space.