Forum Held On Capitol Hill Wednesday

Space Trust, a non-partisan and non-profit initiative presented an innovative forum on Capitol Hill, “ZeroG [0G] Summit, Space Diplomacy in the Age of NewSpace” which featured Congressman Jim Bridenstine, US Representative for Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, as the keynote speaker and Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna, as the Guest of Honor.

The event saw an impressive turn-out and engaged leading stakeholders from the US space industry, architects of space policy, decision makers from the Hill and government agencies to utilize space as a sustainable tool for conflict resolution and peace making on Earth.

“At the height of potential conflict, America’s first communications satellite conveyed a message in the voice of President Eisenhower to the entire world. ‘Through this unique means I convey to you and to all mankind America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere.’ Today space still represents a vision of Peace, cooperation and trust. Space Trust is continuing this legacy.” Said Congressman Jim Bridenstine.

The event, co-hosted by the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, featured a distinguished list of speakers including, Mark Sirangelo, Corporate Vice President of Sierra Nevada Corporation and Namira Salim, Founder and Executive Chairperson of Space Trust. Presented by Eric Stallmer, President Commercial Spaceflight Federation, partners represented leading organizations, including: the International Astronautical Federation, Secure World Foundation and Space Frontier Foundation. The event on the Hill was a precursor to the annual 0G Summits on Earth which will be launched in September 2017, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, to engage world leaders, peace makers, space actors, civil society and youth to find innovative solutions for a peaceful world. Together, these efforts are strategically aligned toward “0G Summit 2030”—the First Peace Summit in Orbit—in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and more specifically, the work of the United Nations “Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” (COPUOS).

“Space technology and applications are invaluable tools for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. UNOOSA is committed to working with partners around the world to promote and facilitate space to solve humankind’s greatest challenges, and I appreciate Space Trust’s dedication to this work. Said Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA.

Our age of NewSpace opens the final frontier to all sectors and to the possibility of commercially viable private space stations and space habitats in Low Earth Orbit and beyond, which will serve as a realistic platform for 0G Summit 2030.

“We have seen the power of space to unite the world and the hope it provides for future generations. Advances from space activities make life better for many on Earth every day. The goals of the Space Trust and the ZeroG Summit will help create a path to accelerate the good work being done and provide even more opportunities for significant positive global change.” Commented Mark Sirangelo, Corporate Vice President of Sierra Nevada Corporation.

“I believe such a monumental peace initiative has the potential to galvanize our common humanity from space.” Added Namira Salim, Founder & Executive Chairperson of Space Trust. “I invite the US as a leading spacefaring nation, to join the international community in supporting the high level inaugural 0G Summit in September toward 0G Summit 2030 in Orbit."

Space Trust’s thought leadership of spearheading the first peace summit in space has been presented at top international space conferences and in space policy circles, as follows. Spring Meetings of the International Astronautical Federation; a Space Trust sponsored a roundtable discussion about 0G Summit at the US Institute of Peace (The Practitioner's Forum) during the Global Partnership Week— an event held in partnership with the US State Department, USAID, Concordia Summit and the Peace Tech Lab; 54th Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the Committee for the Peaceful Uses for Outer Space (COPUOS), in Vienna, before all COPUOS Member States; UNOOSA - UAE High Level Forum in Dubai, UAE in the lead up to UNISPACE+50; and FAA's Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) Meeting during the International Space Policy Working Group session ,at the US Space Transportation Safety Board.

“It is critical to engage our international partners in supporting the peaceful exploration of space that will benefit all humankind, said Eric Stallmer, CSF President. “Public-private partnerships are key to this exploration, and on behalf of the 70+ members of CSF, we will continue to work in tandem with Space Trust and others to ensure space diplomacy during this unprecedented time of exploration. “ “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the support and patronage extended by Congressman Jim Bridenstine, his staff, our distinguished speakers, our partners and especially, by Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, our Guest of Honour and our co-host, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation.” Concluded Namira Salim. “I most sincerely appreciate the logistical support extended by our event partner, the Space Frontier Foundation.”

(Image provided with Space Trust news release. [L-R] Eric Stallmer (Commercial Spaceflight Federation), Namira Salim (ZeroG Summit), Congressman Jim Bridenstine (US Representative from OK-1), Simonetta Di Pippo (UN Office for Outer Space Affairs), and Mark Sirangelo (Sierra Nevada Corporation))

FMI: www.spacetrust.com