📬 SWF April Newsletter now available
Featuring the Mike Simpson Scholarship (IAC), SWF’s 2026 Counterspace Report, new Insight analysis on counterspace trends, ESG in Space, and updates on SWF events and activities.
👉 www.linkedin.com/pulse/april-...
Graphic with quote from Victoria Samson on transparency in space programs, featuring her headshot.
@vsamsondc.bsky.social: "I'm even more impressed with the level of detail in the company statement. Information is a key part of transparency and as new activities are undertaken in space, it would be good to establish a precedence of sharing details" spacenews.com/chinese-star...
Graphic for Secure World Foundation at the 41st Space Symposium, featuring Dr. Peter Martinez and Ian Christensen, Colorado Springs, April 13–16, 2026.
📍 SWF at #SpaceSymposium
Peter Martinez & Ian Christensen are engaging on space sustainability, responsible behavior, and cooperation.
www.spacesymposium.org/
Secure World Foundation announcement graphic stating participation in the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 13–16, 2026, noting the global space community gathering to discuss the future of the space sector.
SWF’s Dr. Peter Martinez and Ian Christensen will attend the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, engaging with the global space community on space sustainability, responsible behavior, and international cooperation.
www.spacesymposium.org/
📄 Full report & executive summary:
👉 www.swfound.org/counterspace
#Counterspace #SpaceSecurity #SpacePolicy #OuterSpaceSecurity #SWF
Updated ASAT test debris figures:
6,904 cataloged pieces, of which
2,773 are still in orbit
Key finding:
While R&D is increasing globally, only non-destructive counterspace capabilities are currently being used in active conflicts.
Some 2026 highlights:
• Added this year: Germany
• Increasing interest in “bodyguard” sats & spaceplanes
• China’s on-orbit refueling
• Russia’s RPOs and the end of Luch
• What is/not known about the US’ Golden Dome
• Spoofing Starlink
• Cyberattacks in the Russia-Ukraine war
The report analyzes counterspace capabilities across 13 countries in five categories:
• Co-orbital
• Direct-ascent
• Electronic warfare
• Directed energy
• Cyber
🚀 2026 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report — Now Available
SWF is proud to release the 9th version of its Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment report, edited by @vsamsondc.bsky.social and Kathleen Brett, with support from Emily Kunasek.
Thread below 🧵
Graphic featuring a headshot of Krystal Azelton announcing her keynote presentation at the Space Generation Advisory Council workshop in Santiago, Chile, April 6–10, with Secure World Foundation branding.
SWF is in Santiago for FIDAE 2026.
Today, Krystal Azelton delivers a keynote at the SGAC workshop, highlighting practical approaches to space sustainability and responsible behavior in space.
SWF will also participate in the FIDAE Space Summit (Apr 8–9).
My @swfoundation.bsky.social colleague Ian Christensen: "I’m hopeful it will contribute to the political conditions necessary to see further improvements in space safety information sharing between those two countries" [US and China]
breakingdefense.com/2026/02/new-...
On how U.S.-China tensions on Earth could extend into space:
"The U.S. & China have a complicated relationship on Earth. It makes sense that they would have it in space as well."
~ @vsamsondc.bsky.social, SWF Chief Director, Space Security and Stability
Watch 👉 www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
“Space activities interact with Earth, orbit, the Moon, and deep space — each demands responsible stewardship.” - Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, at SWF’s Summit for Space Sustainability.
Watch: youtu.be/MNsbMg5RtXk
#SWFsummit26
New Secure World Foundation Publication: “Responsible Investment in the Space Sector”
Investment decisions are shaping risk management in orbit, space environment stability, and the impact on growth in the space economy.
Read the guide:👉 www.swfound.org/responsible-...
📍SWF at the ESSCA Space Policy Workshop
Alex Shi presented on space governance & shared commons. www.swfound.org/publications...
Kathleen Brett presented on BRICS & space security. www.swfound.org/publications...
“Japan's goal… is twenty-seven billion US dollars… We want to double this in the next five years.”
Dr. Masami Onoda, Director of International Relations & Research at JAXA, on Japan’s space economy ambitions. Listen now:👉 www.swfound.org/publications...
📅 Tomorrow: “Warfighting Domain: Contested Space.”
SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social will join leaders and experts to discuss counterspace threats, resilience, and operating in a contested space environment. 🕓 4:40 PM EDT | 30 min panel 👉events.defenseone.com/state-of-defense-2026/ag...
“I think a little more transparency would help fill in some of the blanks, because otherwise, people tend to just imagine the worst-case scenario.”
~ SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social on China’s spaceplane mission, in bit.ly/47CpufT
Read more: bit.ly/41fCqnX
Today kicks off the 2nd Conference on Earth–Space Sustainability: Law, Stewardship, Equity (Mar 18–20, CET). SWF is a co-organizer alongside FOGOS and Leiden IIASL, with Ian Christensen serving as Co-Chair. Exploring how governance must evolve for an interconnected Earth–Space system.
SWF will participate in FIDAE 2026 and the 10th South American Space Generation Workshop in Santiago, Chile, April 6–10. Krystal Azelton will deliver a keynote at the SGAC workshop, which SWF is proud to sponsor.
“Sustainability in space is not a constraint—it is a condition for progress.”
France’s Sébastien Martin at SWF’s 7th Summit for Space Sustainability in Paris.
Watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel:
👉 bit.ly/4lv0Kvs
#SWFsummit26
SWF will participate in the 18th ESSCA Space Policy Workshop (Mar 26–27, Georgia Tech). Alex Shi will present on lessons for space gov. from shared commons, and Kathleen Brett will present on BRICS and defensive space coalitions. The workshop examines emerging governance approaches.
🎙 New episode of ESG in Space Podcast:
“The common denominator for determining success is grit.” — Danny Kim
Danny has enabled 200+ student experiments aboard the ISS, cutting costs from $180,000 to $1 through software innovation.
Listen now:
👉 five.libsyn.com/show/episode...
Investment decisions are crucial for the future of space! 🌌 Check out SWF's “Guide to Responsible Investment in the Space Sector” to learn how investors can promote stewardship and a stable environment. 👉 bit.ly/40QzM7O #SpaceEconomy #ResponsibleInvestment
SWF submitted comments to the FCC’s Space Modernization for the 21st Century NPRM, addressing VTSS licensing, data-sharing and reporting, and orbital debris certification—supporting innovation while emphasizing safety and sustainability.
👉https://bit.ly/4d1p5GW
The recording is now available: SWF’s 2025 Space Sustainability Research Fellows present findings on information sharing and the circular space economy. Featuring Deborah Housen-Couriel, Beril Saadet Turnbull, & Calum Turner.
👉 bit.ly/4cqVW80
SWF is co-organizing the “2nd Conference on Earth-Space Sustainability: Law, Stewardship, Equity, March 18–20, 2026” (CET) at @unileiden.bsky.social. The conference explores how sustainability governance must evolve across Earth-space systems. More info & registration: bit.ly/4aXT0xe
Is space truly a “global common”? 🌌 In a new piece, SWF's Dr. Peter Martinez and @chrisjohnson.bsky.social from @unileiden.bsky.social discuss how space law ensures freedom of use, but space itself isn't a global commons. Let's focus on cooperation and info sharing! 👉 bit.ly/4bfbwmz
Today, SWF’s @vsamsondc.bsky.social, Chief Director, Space Security and Stability, is participating in a space security workshop hosted by the Outer Space Institute. The session brings together Canadian government experts to discuss data control, SDA beyond Earth, and weapons in space.
