Seminar: Orbital Debris Challenges and Space Sustainability - Oct. 14
Daniel Porras
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications, Secure World Foundation
Friday, Oct. 14 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 120
Abstract: With the rate of human space activities rising rapidly, the question of sustainability is becoming more urgent. How long can we sustain this rate of growth? Challenges such as space debris, orbital congestion and even geopolitics can all have catastrophic impacts on our ability to utilise near-Earth space for generations to come.
From a governance perspective, little has been done to curtail these challenges, but there are signs that things are changing. New national policies and international dialogues are giving shape to a future that is more sustainable and beneficial for all.
Join us for a discussion on what "space sustainability" means and what laws/policies can help ensure the usability of space for years to come.
Bio: Daniel Porras is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at the Secure World Foundation. He works to develop international partnerships and conduct outreach for the development of sustainable norms of behavior in space. Mr. Porras is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, where he focuses on political and legal issues surrounding space security.
Mr. Porras' areas of expertise include international space law and policy, emerging technology threats, international law, and political science. His main focus is the progressive development of sustainable norms of behavior for space activities.
He was the resident technical expert for multiple UN bodies working on space security issues, including the Group of Governmental Experts on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) as well as Subsidiary Body 3 of the Conference on Disarmament (on PAROS). Mr Porras is a Board Member of the Space Court Foundation and a Member of the California Bar.