Benjamin Silverstein

machine wash cold, do not tumble dry

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Grateful to have contributed to @rachel_cheung1’s work on China’s space sector. Her article offers a valuable contrast btwn Chinese govt & private sector:
Govt’s fear of failure compounds with missed deadlines & overruns. Less fear in the private sector.

https://t.co/ODTOlM6Alh

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

@dburbach As long as you eat it on paper plates in the basement (or otherwise not in your normal dining area) it’s 100% glatt kosher

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Kicking off shortly! Excited to present the findings from my research for @SWFoundation on the monitoring practices that could support verifying states’ compliance with a future space security agreement.

[mini spoiler, we need better SSA]

[Secure World Foundation @SWFoundation]

Dive into the findings of our Space Sustainability Research Fellowship at today's webinar! Explore the validation of Anti-ASAT Commitments & the impact on Space Security through Customary International Law. Grab a seat at 12pm EST. #SWF

Register/Join: https://t.co/Powrm7xDbL

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Please do not drop the antimatter.

[U.S. National Science Foundation @NSF]

If you dropped antimatter, would it fall down or up?

Scientists now know the definitive answer: down. 👇

The landmark experiment, published today in @Nature, comes from the ALPHA collaboration at CERN in Switzerland who investigated the longstanding fundamental question https://t.co/QalZt2nXWx

CC: @ENERGY

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

@MarjorySB I suppose I shouldn’t foreclose on something (as yet unforseen) in the future, but it’s my last contribution to @CarnegieSpace as currently conceived

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

And for my last trick as a researcher with @CarnegieEndow...

Leaning on the perspectives of experts and officials near and far, I cobbled together some recommendations designed to lower the chances of collisions between satellites in orbit:

https://t.co/J6VHYhXsUg

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

There is no consensus, and few clear philosophies, about the role of the state. Is space situational awareness data a public good? What is the proper balance between private and public interests?

Can't have meaningful solutions without answers to those questions.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Predictably, the issues and solutions span tech and policy.

The math/data underpinning the whole process is unaligned; nobody has the "Truth" of where all satellites are 100% of the time, complicating how operators avoid collisions.

The politics might be even more complicated.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

@JessicaWestPhD @UNIDIR @johnborrie What is old(ish) is new again!

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Two similar lunar missions with very different motivations could have serious implications on how we govern future human and robotic activities in what will surely be more a more crowded lunar environment.

[WIRED @WIRED]

Move over, USA and China: Humankind is about to witness robotic moon landing attempts by Russia and India within a few days of each other in the pursuit of "peaks of eternal light."

📷: Melnikov/Sputnik/AP // 🔗: https://t.co/WdcwVNKPxG

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

@crisveijk Administrator Nelson is in Colombia today, we’ll see if it’s the nudge needed to get the process over the line….

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

India can use their proven pattern (settle domestic policy> set the table for international partnerships> capitalize on opportunities) to address the commercial-military nexus.

The next steps will be key to achieve the Modi admin’s vision for growing the domestic space market.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

India has had a banner year already for space, laying the political groundwork for future successes.

Next up, I argue, is to grow the regulatory regime to demonstrate how India intends to govern commercial systems that support security missions.

https://t.co/Dz4XSJV6nV

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Remaining questions about how India intends to regulate the commercial market’s participation in the security sector could stifle growth.

Many commercial entities sell services that support military missions, but India’s current policy doesn’t address this overlap.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

It was a pleasure (as it always is) to discuss the space sustainability-safety-security triumvirate with such expert colleagues — thank you to @UNIDIR for hosting and 🇯🇵 for sponsoring!

[United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research @UNIDIR]

🪐 Missed our recent space event?

Watch the webinar recording to catch up with the discussions on the relationship between space safety, security, and sustainability 👇

🔗https://t.co/LHiKaOGYNn

🌌 A big thank you to @JapanDelCD for sponsoring this event.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Happening now! Tune in with an east coast coffee and start your day with space

[United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research @UNIDIR]

🪐 Join us this Thursday, 6 July for a discussion over the intersectionality of #SpaceSecurity, safety, and sustainability and what this relationship looks like in practice through global space governance efforts.

🛰 More information and registration:

🔗 https://t.co/al5iNYIomQ

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Three good “S” words - sustainability, safety, and security. Difficult (maybe impossible?) to achieve any one without attending to the other two.

Going to have a lot of fun discussing this triumvirate tomorrow!

[United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research @UNIDIR]

🪐 Join us this Thursday, 6 July for a discussion over the intersectionality of #SpaceSecurity, safety, and sustainability and what this relationship looks like in practice through global space governance efforts.

🛰 More information and registration:

🔗 https://t.co/al5iNYIomQ

[Taranjit Singh Sandhu @SandhuTaranjitS]

Sky is not the limit when 🇮🇳🇺🇸 come together!

Pleasure to sign India’s joining of the Artemis Accords, taking bilateral space cooperation to a higher orbit.

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

With all that in mind, it wouldn't surprise me if India became the 26th Artemis signatory. It would certainly be one of the biggest accomplishments of Administrator Nelson's tenure. 5/5

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Space is on the menu for @narendramodi's upcoming state visit to the White House and recent developments raise the chances of serious progress. Most significantly, India's newly minted first national space policy sets the table for deeper connections between the two nations. 1/5

[Benjamin Silverstein @47stein]

Of course, relatively congruent policy ≠ total endorsement, let alone accession to a partnership. But, agreeing (even if tacitly) on the legality/properness of commercial exploitation of space resources is one of the big hurdles in attracting signatories to the Accords. 4/5