Space Foundation White Paper is Well Received

On Nov. 18, the Space Foundation hosted a discussion and briefing for congressional staff on its Solutions from Space white paper, Space Applications for International Development. The paper recommends that governments in developing nations consider investing in affordable ground technology to provide satellite communication access in rural areas, particularly for clinics, schools, and other community centers. The technology would be used to directly address the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, as well as national goals in health, education, and other areas.

There were 55 attendees, including staff from the personal offices of House and Senate members, and professional committee staff from the House Science and Technology Committee and Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. Other notable government officials represented NASA, GAO, and Department of Commerce, plus industry representatives, and foreign representatives from China, Europe, and Russia.

The briefing featured presentations from two panels of experts.

 The first panel, Communications Satellite and Remote Sensing Applications, included:

• Kalpak Gude, vice president and deputy general counsel, Intelsat General Corp.
• Daniel Irwin, NASA SERVIR project manager
• Emil Cherrington, manager of CATHALAC (Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean)

They addressed communication satellites and remote sensing systems applications used in Latin America and Africa. 

The second panel of speakers covered Capacity Building and included:

• Dr. Carlos Ganem, president of the Brazilian Space Agency
• Ken Hodgkins, the U.S. State Department's director of the Office of Space and Advanced Technology
• Dr. Kai Uwe Schrogl, director of the European Space Policy Institute

They addressed issues related to capacity building, developing a legal and regulatory framework for space newcomers, and a need to better integrate space operations among nations.

“The audience members I spoke with gave us high praise for the presentation,” said Marty Hauser, vice president, Space Foundation Washington operations, research and analysis. “And several mentioned this is an area that needs more attention. They thanked us for increasing visibility.”

Mariel John, Space Foundation research analyst, presented the white paper and also acted as panel moderator. To read Space Applications for International Development, or download a copy, go to www.SpaceFoundation.org/research.

Pictured, left to right: Mariel John, Space Foundation; Kalpak Gude, Intelsat; Daniel Irwin, NASA SERVIR; Emil Cherrington, CATHALAC.