In timely and incisive analysis, our experts parse the latest development issues and events, providing practical solutions to new and emerging challenges.
International institutions, development agencies, and the global development community must step up to assist the growing financial and humanitarian crisis. CGD experts advise.
Pretty much everyone following the war in Ukraine has seen satellite imagery of Russian convoys trundling across Ukraine, or read about Elon Musk’s delivery of 5,000+ Starlink satellite-internet receivers. News reports are backed up by a wealth of satellite data, which has short-circuited Russia’s a...
Every nation on Earth uses space in some way. Satellite communications, GPS, and satellite remote sensing are woven into the fabric of the world economy, and more nations are starting to realize that it’s in their national interest to develop an endemic, foundational space capability.
In the present struggle for access to information and digital services playing out in Ukraine, Iran, and many other countries, a new generation of “non-geostationary” satellites is testing the autocrat’s playbook.
Following international condemnation of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, most would agree any action supporting Ukraine’s access to information and communication is welcome, and in this case looks like it has active support by both the U.S. and Ukrainian governments. There are some overarching governance...
About a year ago, I went outside with family into a crisp December night and watched as a newly launched string of satellites unspooled themselves across the night sky. I was witnessing one of many “batch” launches of SpaceX’s satellites’ reflecting light as they prepared to settle into a steady low...
Americans and Europeans don’t really understand the sheer volume of information that is plucked from satellites and radar and sliced a dozen ways and delivered to their smartphones for every possible need—from agriculture to the morning commute. This largely invisible network of data is much less re...