Panel on Space
Thu, Nov 30
|Hopkins Bloomberg Center
The panel explored the intersection of space exploration, national security, and technological innovation, focusing on cislunar infrastructure, sustainable lunar operations, and competition with China. Speakers emphasized governance challenges, dual-use technologies, and the need for international c


Time & Location
Nov 30, 2023, 4:00 PM
Hopkins Bloomberg Center, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
About the event
Summary:
The panel on space delved into the intersection of space exploration, national security, and the critical role of technological innovation. A central theme of the discussion was the emerging "third transformation" in space exploration, characterized by the proliferation of commercial space activities and advancements in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and cislunar (the region between Earth and the Moon) domains. Emma Rainey emphasized the critical need for cislunar space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities and cislunar communication and positioning systems as foundational infrastructure for cislunar exploration. These efforts aim to transition from the "footprint" of Apollo missions to a "foothold" of sustainable presence on the moon. Similarly, Wes Fuhrman discussed the necessity of creating sustainable infrastructure for Moon to Mars objectives, leveraging partnerships and integrating commercial technology.
The discussion also tackled national security concerns, particularly the strategic competition with China in space. Bruce MacDonald noted that China's rapid…