WORKING GROUPS
WG1: Space Traffic Management as a Solution for Space Debris
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses defunct satellites, rocket stages, and other discarded objects orbiting the Earth. The exponential growth of these objects poses a significant threat to space infrastructure and operations. To mitigate this risk, space traffic management (STM) has emerged as a potential solution. STM aims to regulate and monitor space traffic to minimize collisions and enhance the safety and sustainability of space activities. Effective STM requires international collaboration, technological advancements, and policy development.
Currently, there are no specific international laws governing STM and debris mitigation. However, guidelines like the United Nations Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the Outer Space Treaty address related concerns. To advance STM, there are calls for a comprehensive legal framework dedicated to space traffic management and debris mitigation. Such a framework would cover issues like debris removal responsibility, collision liability, and best practices for space operations. Establishing this framework necessitates international cooperation, consensus-building, and considerable time for negotiation and implementation. Nonetheless, it is crucial to ensure the long-term viability and safety of space endeavors.
- What is the legal framework for space debris and the liability regime for damage caused by space debris?
- How will space debris impact the economy of nations involved in space across the Asia-Pacific?
- What business opportunities could help prevent or remove debris in space?
- What is the role of a non-space nation in making a legal framework regarding space debris?
Keynote speaker
Rahul Rawat, is the Chief Operating Officer at Digantara, an end-to-end Space Situational Awareness company that he co founded during his undergraduate degree. At Digantara, his work primarily revolves around overseeing the company’s operations and finances. Prior to his work at Digantara, he led and managed multiple student teams working on space exploration to IoT, where he built an industry-grade control center and cybernetics ground station with an internet- to- orbit gateway for remote data download.
SMEs
Ts Uma Shangery Aruldass is an Aerospace fan from Malaysia.She is a Technical Services and Planning Manager at Berjaya Airlines, Malaysia. She has earned her Professional Technologist (Ts) in Aerospace and Aviation technology from the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT).
She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering and Masters in Aviation Management. She is an HRDF-certified Trainer and an active Science Communicator.
Ts Uma is a strong advocate of Space Sustainability. She has been invited as a speaker in the prestigious Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council Conference, Sustainability: Clearing the Way for the Future of Space. She presented her research at the Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023 by International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) in Madrid, Spain in July 2023. She has spoken at TEDx on her area of expertise on Space Sustainability in particular Space Debris management in May 2023.
She has been interviewed on BFM 89.9, the Business Radio Station, titled ‘Redefining Success, Women in STEM with Ts. UMA SHANGERY ARULDASS,’ for her outstanding achievements at a young age. She has also been recognised as one of the D12s around the world, for Space Debris Management and presented her thought-leadership speech at the 2022 Ascend event in Nevada, USA in October 2022.
She is one of the Space4Women talents who has been invited to the Expert Meeting in South Korea in August 2022. She has been a part of the KiboCube Academy through the initiatives of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2021 and 2022. Besides, Ts Uma has been awarded AXIATA Young CEO Development Program in 2021. She is also an international award recipient for ‘Outstanding Solution for the Case Study’ by ICAO in 2018 in Shenzhen, China.
She has published chapters, papers and articles on both Aerospace and Aviation technology development.
Ts Uma is an active Toastmaster who has served as Club President and Area Director in 2021 and 2022 respectively and International Speech Contest winner too.
Mr. Shreyas Mirji heads Business and Strategy for Digantara. He has been involved with space safety and sustainability over the last seven years from engineering to product development to policy making. Prior to his work on space safety, Shreyas was involved in research focused on fluid behaviour in microgravity with a few experiments in orbit.
Moderator
Dasuni Hewawasam is a Graduate Research Assistant and an MPhil student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Her primary focus is on the development of a commercial-type lithium-ion battery (LIB) that incorporates an anode made from Sri Lankan graphite. This endeavor involves the utilization of thermal modeling and analysis techniques. The successful completion of this project holds the potential to pave the way for global competitiveness, both in terms of technology and economy. Presently, she is the National Point of Contact for Sri Lanka within SGAC and has been organizing the Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop for three consecutive years. Additionally, Dasuni co-leads Women in Space Exploration (WiSE) at the Space Robotics Society (SPROS). She also is a researcher at Deep Space Initiative (DSI) in Colorado, where her work focuses on a feasibility study of nuclear-powered propulsion systems for deep space missions. Additionally, Dasuni won the Asia Pacific Space Leader Award 2023 by SGAC. Her philosophy is encapsulated in the belief that & quote; Space is everywhere for everyone.
WG2: Space Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific Region
Space entrepreneurship or Astropreneurship stimulates Newspace economic growth by creating new jobs and fostering innovations. Many governments are encouraging the development of the private space industry by offering tax reductions, stimulus investment opportunities, or development programs.
Startup companies have filled market gaps by offering services at lower prices with quicker development, disrupting various space sectors by transforming how space activities are handled. The market obstacles and legal and political restraints hinder startups and frequently constrain the space industry landscape. In addition to the frequent technical difficulties encountered with space ventures, building and launching something into space can be expensive upfront.
- How the space entrepreneurship environment is influenced by factors such as government policy, legal & political restrictions, supply chain, technology support, and funding sources.
- What could the international community such as (the UN, national governments, companies, space agencies, and society) in the Asia-Pacific region do to advance space commercialisation as quickly as possible?
- What specific technology areas are seen as drivers to be considered by space agencies in support of space entrepreneurship?
- The private investment base to support the growth of start-ups remains very small compared to the United States and European space ecosystems. How the Asia-pacific countries can address this issue and support the growing economy?
Keynote speaker
To be announced soon.
SMEs
Tanushri Joshi is a space lawyer based in India and is currently working with HEX20 as a Senior Legal and Business Development Manager. Prior to this, she worked with Skyroot Aerospace wherein she assisted on several legal and business development projects and amongst other responsibilities, she led and assisted on legal matters pertaining to India’s first private launch i.e., launch of Vikram – S. She is a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) Working Group on Light Pollution of the Night Sky From a Space Law Perspective and has published and presented research papers relating to Space Law at different forums. She continues to research on Space Law & Policy and advises students interested in this field. Apart from this, her love for desserts motivated her to establish TAAV, a small home-based bakery, aka her startup.
Moderator
ILANKUZHALI ELAVARASAN is trained as an aerospace engineer, Ilan has actively contributed to cutting-edge research at the Human Space Flight Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), serving as a Research Assistant. In her current capacity as a visiting scholar at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, she explores diverse facets of astrobiology. Ilan’s passion for space science has earned her recognition, including awards and presentations at esteemed international forums. Beyond her academic pursuits, Ilan is a certified analog astronaut, eagerly anticipating her training in the field of planetary science and astrobiology. As a sought-after speaker, Ilan actively shapes the future of space exploration. Her impactful academic journey involves collaborations across non-profits, government, industry, and entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to the dynamic realm of space science and inspiring future generations.
WG3: Asia-Pacific’s advancements in Space Technology & Planetary Exploration
In recent years, the remarkable advancements in space technology capabilities of Asian nations have brought about significant transformations in the Asia-Pacific region. These developments have not only expanded the realm of possibilities but have also made space science and technology more accessible and affordable. The integration of machine learning, big data, and cloud computing has revolutionized the analysis of satellite imagery, enabling automated insights for various applications such as poverty monitoring and agriculture.
As humanity’s space exploration journey progresses, the next phase focuses on returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent presence there. This milestone would serve as a crucial stepping stone for future planetary exploration endeavors. Within the Asia-Pacific region, countries like China, Japan, and India stand as prominent space powers with ambitious plans for lunar exploration, human spaceflight, asteroid mining, and the creation of orbital solar power plants. Their visionary initiatives contribute to the global space landscape and hold immense potential for scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and furthering our understanding of the universe.
- How can the National Agencies collaborate within the Asia-Pacific based on their past missions and expertise on Lunar and Martian missions?
- There is a lack of awareness concerning the benefits of Planetary Exploration. What are ways through which the Asia-Pacific community can address this issue?
- In what ways, Space Technology can be used as a potential solution for solving global problems?
- How technology transfer among Asia-Pacific countries can enable Sustainable Space Development?
Keynote speaker
With 27 years of experience at ISRO, Nandini Harinath specializes in Mission Design and Spacecraft Operations. Holding key roles in over 20 satellite missions, she currently serves as the Deputy Director at ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Centre (ISTRAC), overseeing the tracking and control of ISRO’s low Earth orbiting satellites and interplanetary missions. Notably, she led mission operations for Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya. As the Deputy Operations Director for the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), she oversaw all satellite operations during its historic journey to Mars, marking India’s successful first interplanetary mission. Additionally, as the Mission Director for ISRO’s high-resolution Radar satellite constellation, the Risat2B series, she led end-to-end operationalization. Nandini has numerous research papers, lectures, and has received prestigious awards, including the ASI Space Gold Medal and the ‘India Today Woman in Science Award.’ She’s also featured in films, books, and recognized in both Bollywood and Hollywood productions.
SMEs
Jatan Mehta is a globally published independent space exploration writer and author of Moon Monday, the world’s only newsletter dedicated to covering lunar exploration developments from around the globe. He also writes Indian Space Progress, a monthly report contextualizing the
progress of India’s increasingly relevant space capabilities in the global arena.
Raghav Sharma is the founder of Space tech Startup Xovian Aerospace. The Startup aims to cut down the human & economic toll and bring operational efficiency across multiple industry verticals through our Radio Based Geospatial & Signal Intelligence Satellite Infrastructure by providing high accuracy & low latency 24×7 real-time Geospatial data services via SAAS based platform.
His Team is comprised of Ex-ISRO personnel & Industry Experts with vast Experience in Satellite Missions. Xovian Aerospace has been recognised and awarded by Governments and different ministries across India such as Govt. Of Karnataka, DST-GOI & MeITY-GOI. Xovian Aerospace is also the finalists of the National startup Awards 2021 and he has also invited to
interact with the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 15th January to put forward policy recommendations on behalf of the Space ecosystem of the country. Prior to his startup Journey Raghav had the privilege of working in Faridabad based Automotive company Escorts Ltd. He is a chemical engineer from National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar where he was one of the youngest students to present the research paper in space technologies.
His startup was one of the selected startups to Taiwan through TACC+ program, an initiative taken by Taiwan chamber of commerce to explore the possibilities of collaboration across the companies.
Xovian Aerospace are flying their first satellite to space by the 2nd quarter of 2024. Xovian Aerospace is actively engaged in Delivering Geospatial and Signal Intelligence powered by the most advanced eyes in Space.
Kishan graduated from IIT Madras in 2021, specializing in materials and metallurgical engineering. Kishan’s expertise spans a spectrum of disciplines, from Battery Systems, Embedded Systems, Structures and Electro-Magnetism.
Moderator
Shoaib Sheriff is a mission design engineer at GalaxEye Space, working on building EO satellites that produce coregistered optical and SAR data. He is currently focusing on different aspects such as orbital design, ground network development, mission operations and launch vehicle coordination. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Apart from his professional endeavors, Shoaib is passionate about nature and enjoys hiking the trails of the Western Ghats.
WG4: Human Space Flight & recent advancements in Space Medicine
Space travel presents unprecedented health challenges due to the extreme conditions encountered in space, including microgravity, radiation, confinement, isolation, and limited medical resources. To address these challenges, the field of space medicine has emerged, focusing on specialized medical interventions and countermeasures. Its primary objectives include safeguarding astronauts’ health and well-being, minimizing adverse effects on the human body, and optimizing performance in space environments. Technological innovations and increased collaboration among space agencies, research institutions, and private companies have driven significant advancements in space medicine. These advancements have deepened our understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of space travel, leading to the development of tailored medical interventions and pharmaceutical products for space missions.
Commercialization of space medicines has gained momentum, driven by companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, aiming to support astronaut health while also holding potential for terrestrial medical breakthroughs. International collaborations, particularly in the Asia Pacific region with countries like Japan, China, India, and Australia, have played a vital role in advancing space medicine through the establishment of specialized centers, participation in space missions, and joint research initiatives. Robust regulatory frameworks are necessary to ensure the safety, efficacy, and ethical use of space medicines, aligning with international standards set by organizations like the World Health Organization and regulatory agencies such as the FDA.
- What health challenges do astronauts face in space, and how can pharmaceutical products be developed or repurposed to address these challenges?
- How are countries in the Asia Pacific region contributing to the development of space medicines, and what opportunities exist for regional collaborations in this field? and how can these collaborations be structured to benefit all parties?
- What are the regulatory frameworks for the development and marketing of space medicines in different Asia Pacific countries, and how do they compare to international standards?
- How might the commercialisation of space medicines impact healthcare industries in the Asia Pacific region, and what potential economic and technological benefits could arise from this research?
Keynote speaker
Ajay Kumar J.K is a visionary entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Vellon Space, a cutting-edge space start-up at the forefront of space research & development under microgravity. With an extensive background in engineering and a passion for pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, Ajay has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the way we perceive and interact with space.
Born with a natural curiosity and an innate fascination for space, Ajay pursued his education in aerospace engineering, earning advanced degrees from Manipal University and Masters of Business Management from the same university. His academic achievements and unwavering determination laid the foundation for his meteoric rise in the aerospace industry.
Ajay’s career began with groundbreaking research and development projects at prominent
research area’s like advanced propulsion & aerodynamics, where he published his articles in international journals.
In 2020, Ajay Kumar founded Vellon Space with a clear vision of advancing humanity’s access to space and space operation more affordable. Terrestrial based companies need space strategy for biotechnology to material science. Using the unique characteristics of Space and its microgravity (weightlessness) condition enables benefits like, non sedimentation, non-convention, defect free, homogeneous, free suspension, non wetting,
high resolution, containerless processing, controlled and symmetry growth and many more.
This novell environment in space will open the door to the second golden age of space and see the beginnings of a growth surge in space-based businesses that are Made-in-Space to space and Made-in-Space to earth. R&D and manufacturing as tightly coupled segments within the commercial LEO economy value chain because findings from microgravity R&D often inform either intentionally or incidentally, based on novel findings the possible use cases for on-orbit manufacturing. We define on-orbit R&D as all basic and applied science, research, development, demonstration, and testing conducted in LEO. The fundamental value of these R&D activities is to understand physical phenomena in the absence of gravity and then apply that knowledge to improve terrestrial products or services, refine spaceflight
technology, or serve as a pathfinder for future manufacturing cases.
Vellon Space is an Indian Space technology start-up that offers microgravity research and development services, using Vellon Space-Lab as a platform for experimentation.
Microgravity is a unique environment that allows researchers, institutions and industries to explore new technologies and applications that can benefit a variety of industries. Vellon Space offers a range of end-to-end services to its clients, including hardware design and development, experiment preparation and execution, data acquisition and regulatory
compliance.
SMEs
Dr. Ramkishor Sah, M.Optom, PGD-PPHC, PhD (Ophthalmology), is a Scientist in the Dr. R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. He received his PhD in Ophthalmology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Post Graduate Diploma in Preventive & Promotive Health Care from Apollo Hospitals, Educational & Research Foundation, Hyderabad and Master of Optometry & Ophthalmic Technology from National Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) University, Jaipur. He’s working at the Cornea & Contact Lens Services, Dry Eye Diagnostic Lab. and Ocular Genomics & Proteomics Research at Dr. R P Centre, AIIMS. In order to become a Scientist with excellence in patient care, teaching, eye & vision research has a passion for community eye care services especially in Indian Tribal Populations (ITPs). He has been demonstrating exceptional skill in the area of Keratoconus (KC), Dry Eye (DE), Ocular Surface Disease (OSD), Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), Space Medicine, Space Health and Wellness, Space Exploration, Mindfulness; and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect & monitor Corneal Disease, Artificial (Synthetic) Cornea, Myopia Control, GenEye, Tear Biomarkers, Tear Proteomics, Ocular Genomics & Proteomics, Next Generation DNA Sequencing and Specialty Contact Lenses after intensive & extensive research works.
Dr. Ramkishor Sah currently serves as an editorial board member and reviewer for many of the Journal of Ophthalmology, Optometry & Contact Lens Journals. He has authored & co-authored 21 publications & 08 poster presentations, contributed 02 book chapters and professional manuscripts. He has given invited Lectures, Guest Faculty, Hand-on Wet Lab Training, Training of Trainers (ToTs) and continuing research & educational presentations in Conferences/Seminars/Symposium/Workshops. His teaching activities mainly focus on the application of clinical and translational research. He was a former member of the Education Committee and Public Health & Development Committee, World Council of Optometry, UK and Scleral Lens Education Society, USA.
Dr. Sah has enriched the scientific community with his profound insights through distinctive presentations. His presentation was unveiled at the NASA Human Research Program-IWS 2023 event, hosted in the captivating city of Galveston, Houston, Texas, USA. Furthermore, Dr. Sah showcased his commitment to advancement by presenting in yet another symposium on “Space Health and Medicine: Current Scenario and Future Research Trends” organized by the distinguished Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) HQ, Department of Space, Bangalore, India. These presentations not only underscore Dr. Sah’s active participation in both international and national scientific congregations but also shine a spotlight on his exceptional contributions to the field of expertise he passionately navigates.
Presently, Dr. Ramkishor Sah is a member of NASA Genelab Microbiome, Multi-Omics & AL-ML Analysis Working Group (AWG). He is also the president of Keratoconus Foundation of India (KFI) and Vision Care Foundation, India., an Honorary Rosalind Member of London Journals Press; and Life Member of Indian Society of Cornea & Keratorefractive Surgeons (ISCKRS), Indian Optometry Association (IOA). He was awarded with an International Travel Fellowship from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India and received Best Teacher Award from Delhi Optical Association (DOA), Delhi, India.
Dr. Ramkishor Sah has been working as Principal Investigator & Co-Investigator in 11 research projects funded by different funding agencies. His collaborative and partnership research projects with Government Ministries, Inter & Intra States, PSUs, Institutions and Universities.
Moderator
Learn more about her work here.
WG5: Space Policy Framework for Collaborative Space Ecosystem
As the space industry continues to thrive with various stakeholders, including nations and private entities, it becomes crucial to address the often overlooked aspect of space governance. With advancements in space technology and its increasing economic significance, there is a pressing need to reevaluate and enhance the existing framework for governing space activities. The current global space governance structure, comprised of multilateral agreements and treaties, has proven ineffective in adapting to evolving state and industry practices and technological advancements. Key areas such as celestial resource utilization and space militarization have not been adequately addressed.
The rising involvement of non-traditional players further emphasizes the requirement for additional or revised legal measures to establish a robust global space policy framework. To enable seamless collaboration and coordination across different jurisdictions, a well-defined space law is essential. This comprehensive legal framework encompasses international and domestic agreements, rules, and principles governing space-related activities. While closely related, space policy, on the other hand, pertains to the political decision-making process and public policy application of a state or association of states concerning spaceflight and the utilization of outer space, encompassing civilian, commercial, and military objectives.
- How will having a strong law and policy structure impact the space sector?
- Why is there a need for a concrete law and policy structure, especially for NewSpace countries?
- What are the implications of global space law and policy frameworks on national space program developments at the Asia-Pacific level?
- While understanding the implications, did you find any existing gaps or drawbacks in the space law and policy framework at the regional level?
- How can the countries in the Asia-Pacific region address these gaps in the framework to ensure better space program development?
Keynote speaker & SME
Ashok G.V., is a partner of Factum Law and practices before the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka. He also serves as the Director, Legal at Spaceport Sarabhai. He advises the private sector and the government on matters of space law and policy.
He has published articles and papers on harmonizing trade and investment law and domestic space policy, the risks to commercial dual use satellites during military conflicts and principles of state responsibility as they apply to cyberattacks against satellites. Ashok is also invited by think tanks, industry associations and inter governmental bodies to deliver lectures and talks on space law and policy, both in in India and abroad.
Tanushri Joshi is a space lawyer based in India and is currently working with HEX20 as a Senior Legal and Business Development Manager. Prior to this, she worked with Skyroot Aerospace wherein she assisted on several legal and business development projects and amongst other responsibilities, she led and assisted on legal matters pertaining to India’s first private launch i.e., launch of Vikram – S. She is a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) Working Group on Light Pollution of the Night Sky From a Space Law Perspective and has published and presented research papers relating to Space Law at different forums. She continues to research on Space Law & Policy and advises students interested in this field. Apart from this, her love for desserts motivated her to establish TAAV, a small home-based bakery, aka her startup.
Moderator
Learn more about her work here.