Abu Dhabi: At the World Economic Forum, a panel discussion was hosted by the renowned space policy and strategy forum, the Abu Dhabi Space Debate. On 17th January, in the UAE Pavilion, a panel discussion with the title “The Future of Earth: LEO Politics of the 21st Century” was held.
The topic of low earth orbit (LEO) clutter and the opportunities and problems posed by LEO, which is currently the most valuable region of space for humanity, were discussed by top experts in the field.
“This panel, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, reflects the UAE’s leading and strategic international position. Our participation at World Economic Forum offers us the ideal platform to share future visions and plans and develop solutions to ensure the sustainability of the space sector, while promoting collaboration between industry-leading global stakeholders and cementing the UAE’s position as a key player in international decision-making,” Ms. Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, Chairperson of UAE Space Agency, stated.
The panel was moderated by Mr. Jesse Klempner, a Partner at McKinsey & Company, and hosted thought leaders and industry experts, including Mr. Dylan Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Voyager Space, Mr. William Marshall, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Planet Labs, and Mr. Dan Tenney, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space.
Home to many satellite devices, including communications, GPS, and earth observation, the low earth orbit also houses the International Space Station. However, the increasing amount of space junk poses an existential threat and raises the prospect of a world war. The panel examined the process for creating new regulations to safeguard access to this limited resource for both existing and new stakeholders, from developing space states to actors in the commercial sector, and prevent the prospect of further collisions and conflict.
The Abu Dhabi Space Debate is committed to fostering discussion and dialogue on the global space community’s most pressing issues, including this panel discussion on LEO clutter and many events organized at the World Economic Forum, which is being held in Davos from January 16th to 20th 2023.