Benjamin Silverstein is no longer with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Benjamin Silverstein was a research analyst for the Space Project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His research investigates prospects for multilateral cooperation on issues like space situational awareness and orbital debris remediation. His other interests include arms racing dynamics, space capability management in alliances, and the evolution of national space policies. Before joining Carnegie, Silverstein worked on space policy issues at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
Silverstein completed his MA in international relations at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and received his BA in international affairs from George Washington University.
It is impossible to sustain a thriving space sector, both now and for future generations, without systematically addressing the risks of collisions between objects in orbit.
India’s recent technical and political activities have boosted the state’s climb to space preeminence. In parallel to several successful launches that showcase the state’s capabilities and flexibility, political initiatives focus the bureaucracy and exhibit a strong vision for India’s future in space.
More broadly, without a demonstrated commitment to common guidelines, these actions will breed uncertainty among the spacefaring community and create opportunity for misinterpretation and mistrust, which could escalate to crises or outright conflict between states.
Space needs more, not less, trust. Djibouti could, over the five years it will take to build the spaceport, accede to international agreements. Signing the Outer Space Treaty would be a strong first step.
The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center will be holding its sixth annual conference on December 7–8, 2022, covering global political and economic issues, the main purpose of which is to anticipate what will happen in 2023.
The Artemis Accords can serve as a starting point.
The papers included in this volume comprise research from participants in the 2021 Nuclear Scholars Initiative.
Washington’s decision to voluntarily refrain from destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons tests opens new pathways to promoting norms of responsible behavior in space.
Riskier launch operations may hasten the danger of orbital debris.
The Quad won’t turn into a space governance powerhouse overnight, but their consultations on space should begin by addressing a small, but important, menu of issues that can serve as a foundation for broader international efforts.
