Risk Talk on space debris – “traffic accidents in space”

24 Mar 2011

Organised by: Swiss Reinsurance Company

Information
Agenda
Speakers

Information

In February 2009 a defunct Russian Cosmos satellite collided with an Iridium communications satellite, leaving 1,500 pieces of debris in orbit in outer space. There are approximately 3,000 satellites operating in Earth’s orbit, according to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), out of roughly 8,000 man-made objects in total. We have become ever more dependent upon satellites to provide weather, mapping, communications and other basic services that are vital to our way of life. But when these “traffic accidents in space” occur, they also create debris which has the potential to collide with the satellites and disrupt these services.

Swiss Re is a major insurer and reinsurer of satellites and has a vital interest in this topic. The new Swiss Re publication “Space debris: on collision course for insurers?” addresses many of the legal, regulatory and societal risks associated with space debris. The Risk Talk will provide an overview of the situation from international experts in the field of aeronautics and space and will feature presentations by:

Nicholas L. Johnson, NASA Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris
Darren McKnight, Technical Director, Integrity Applications
Pamela L. Meredith, Co-Chair, Space Law Practice Group, Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger LLP

The welcome and moderation of the concluding panel discussion will be by Philip Chrystal, Senior Claims Expert, Swiss Re.

This event may be photographed, videotaped, filmed and /or recorded. A summary of the event, pictures and/or a video of the event in which you may appear may be posted and made available on Swiss Re’s and the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue’s internal and external websites and in printed materials.

Agenda

17.30

Registration

18.00

Welcome
Philip Chrystal, Senior Claims Expert, Swiss Re

Presentations

Darren McKnight, Technical Director, Integrity Applications
Pamela L. Meredith, Co-Chair, Space Law Practice Group, Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger LLP

Panel discussion moderated by Philip Chrystal, Senior Claims Expert, Swiss Re

19.30

Networking and refreshments

This event may be broadcasted live, photographed, videotaped, filmed and /or recorded. A summary of the event, pictures and/or a video of the event in which you may appear may be posted and made available on Swiss Re’s and the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue’s internal and external websites and in printed materials.

Speakers

	Nicholas L. Johnson NASA Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris As NASA Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center since 1997, Mr Johnson serves as the agency authority in the field of orbital debris, including all aspects of environment definition, present and future, and the operational and design implications of the environment to both manned and robotic space vehicles operating in Earth orbit. Mr Johnson leads the US delegation to the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and since 1997 has served as the US technical expert on orbital debris at the United Nations. He served concurrently as the Program Manager for NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office from 1997 to 2006. Mr Johnson has 32 years experience in orbital debris research and applications and in space situational awareness endeavors. Read more
	Darren McKnight Technical Director, Integrity Applications Incorporated Darren McKnight supports a diversified portfolio of customers providing space environment assessments, sustainable energy analyses, and catalyzing corporate innovation initiatives. Projects focus on leading cognitively diverse teams in addressing challenging technical and operational problems. Dr. McKnight has co-authored three books, and over 100 peer-reviewed papers, scientific manuscripts, magazine articles, and conference presentations. He earned his PhD from the University of Colorado on the simulation of on-orbit fragmentations. Read more
	Pamela L. Meredith Co-Chair, Space Law Practice Group, Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger LLP Pamela L. Meredith is Of Counsel with the law firm of Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger LLP and Co-Chair of its Space Law Practice Group. She advises clients in the following areas: commercial space project planning and implementation; commercial space transactions; risk management and insurance; licensing and regulation; export controls; dispute resolution; and commercial arbitration. Ms Meredith has assisted or advised on some aspect of most of the major Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulemaking and licensing proceedings for communications satellites in the 1980s and 1990s, including fixed satellite service (C-, Ku-, Ka- and V-bands), mobile satellite service (geostationary, "Big LEO" and "Little LEO"), and position-location service. She has also testified as an expert witness in litigation concerning the interpretation of FCC regulations. Ms Meredith chaired the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' (AIAA) Legal Aspects Committee (2005-2010). She is a member of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC), Risk Management Working Group. She is also a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, D.C. She has an LL.M. from McGill University, Air & Space Law Institute and a legal degree from the University of Oslo School of Law. Read more
	Philip Chrystal Senior Claims Expert, Swiss Re Philip Chrystal is currently a Director and Senior Claims Expert within the claims and liabilities division of Swiss Re in Zurich and is responsible for aviation and space-related claims. Joining Swiss Re in 1990, he was initially an aviation underwriter for ten years including several years developing alternative risk transfer products for the aerospace industry. He holds degrees in commerce and law from the University of New South Wales in Sydney and a master of laws in air and space law from McGill University in Montreal. He is also a member and previous chairman of the legal and claims study group within the International Union of Aerospace Insurers (IUAI) in London. Read more