Reflecting Space – Coming to a Space Debate Near You Soon

Last week an unusual object was launched from the UK into space, a think tank called Reflecting Space!

Its orbit is the policy-making, industrial, defence and educational realms of space.

In particular, the aims of Reflecting Space are to bring together diverse people with diverse expertise to reflect on how to:

Promote the sustainable development of space so that debris does not threaten the benefits of satellite applications,

Explore the applications and opportunities of space science research,

Influence space policy, practise and public understanding, especially by inspiring the next generations through education in the interactions between space and society.

Reflecting Space is the brainchild of Professor Eddie Abbott-Halpin, Ralph ‘Dinz’ Dinsley and Professor Simon Lee.  They invited space experts from industry, government and academia to participate in the inaugural symposium, hosted by the Citizenship and Governance Strategic Research Area (SRA) of  The Open University (OU).

The symposium, held from 1 – 2 February in the Michael Young Building on the OU campus in Milton Keynes, created an open environment for structured conversation in five sessions: global commons, space governance, international treaties and UK space law, commercial space and space-ports.

Each participant had the opportunity to present their perceptions of the issues and was encouraged to listen and respond to the insights of others.

There were two extra sources of inspiration at the inaugural event.  On the first day, the group also visited the nearby Bletchley Park with an excellent guided tour of the code-breaking centre and ‘hands on’ experience of an Enigma Machine. On the second day, two research scientists from the Open University Space SRA shared examples of the OU’s work in space and how that is ‘brought down to earth’ with applications, benefiting people all over the world.

A visit to Bletchley Park provided an stimulating break in the discussions!

The symposium closed with an agreement to make this a regular encounter, with offers to host in different places.

In the short-term Reflecting Space will be hosting a workshop the afternoon before the SMi Military Space Situational Awareness Conference in London (April 2018) as well as participating in the next Space Traffic Management Workshop in Edinburgh (August 2018).

We continue to explore funding options to ensure that, as with space, the think tank is sustainable.  We are grateful to all those involved in the setting up of this inaugural symposium, especially Michelle Stevens of the OU, as well as all of the participants.

We welcome interest from all-comers from all countries.  Reflecting Space can be contacted via michelle.stevens@open.ac.uk.