International Affairs

Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham participated in a panel discussion about the future of space on The World Today, Australia’s leading afternoon radio current affairs radio program on Thursday, Aug. 30. Broadcast across Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), The World Today can also be heard internationally on the Internet or via podcast. The ABC is…

Last month, Space Foundation Vice President – Washington Operations Brendan Curry was a guest at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., for a reception in honor of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Canada’s first satellite, Alouette 1. Canada was third after the Soviet Union and the United States to launch a home-built-and-operated…

Last month, the European Space Agency (ESA) Member States unanimously approved the accession of Poland to the ESA Convention. Poland immediately began participating as an observer in the ESA Council and, once it has completed an internal ratification process, it will become the 20th ESA Member State. Poland has been a European Cooperating State (PECS) since April…

The 55th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) was held in early June at the United Nations Office at Vienna, Vienna International Center, Vienna, Austria. Space Foundation Senior Vice President – Strategic & International Affairs Steve Eisenhart gave one of the technical presentations. He spoke about the…

A Chinese Shenzhou 9 capsule aligned with the Tiangong 1 module spacecraft on June 24, marking an important accomplishment toward’s China’s goal of building a space station by 2020. Three astronauts – including china’s first female astronaut – manually docked their craft using hand levers with the orbiting module. The crew, which includes Commander Jing…

Space Foundation Specia Advisor Dr. Leroy Chiao, a former NASA astronaut who has flown both Space Shuttle and Soyuz missions and a member of the 2009 Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, is often asked by the media to speak about human spaceflight and international space programs. After China’s historic docking mission, he was interviewed…

Space Foundation Special Advisor – Human Spaceflight Dr. Leroy Chiao is among 34 astronauts who were awarded the Russian Medal of Merit for Space Exploration at a ceremony on June 29 at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.  NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Jr., and JSC Director Mike Coats participated in the event. Presented by Russian…

The Space Foundation and Australian Ambassador Kim Beazley hosted a reception at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 1 for 200 space leaders from government and industry who joined together in honor of the long space endeavor partnership between the United States and Australia. Representing the Space Foundation board of directors were Chairman…

Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay has announced Canada will join Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in investing in the United States Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) secure communications constellation. “Satellites enable military to rapidly communicate with military personnel, with our allies around the globe. They also allow us to forecast weather, better protect…

Conducting business in the space arena overseas can be daunting, especially with the many regulations that govern whether products or technology can be imported or exported. Primary is the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which control export and import of defense articles, technical data and services, including certain aerospace technology and products. Understanding the…