Frank Rose knows all about space trash, space policy and the importance of space in everyday life.
Rose, the deputy assistant secretary for space and defense policy bureau of arms control, verification and compliance for the United States Department of State, told the audience of a recent Educational Exchange to think about how vital space and space exploration is to the United States economy and national security. GPS systems, cell phones, credit card transactions and even pumping gas are reliant on satellites and space research, which has changed the way we operate, Rose said.
Rose was the keynote speaker July 30 at the annual Educational Exchange sponsored by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Space Foundation at North Point High School. Teachers participating in the Space Foundation Discovery Institute classes attended the luncheon as part of their weeklong program that is part of a seven-year partnership between CCPS and the Space Foundation and helps teachers infuse space concepts in their classrooms and lessons.
Rose, who advises the Assistant Secretary of State on key issues related to arms control and defense policy, including missile defense, military space policy and conventional arms control, said space operations have changed drastically in the past 50 years. Space exploration has moved from a field once dominated by the United States and Soviet Union to sharing space with 60 nations operating satellites in outer space as well as private sector satellites. “It is becoming congested,” Rose said, adding that part of the congestion is space debris, including more than 22,000 pieces of space waste larger than 10 cm that is tracked. He said that waste includes things like a toothbrush and a wrench, but also more than 500,000 smaller pieces that the U.S. cannot track. “It poses a threat to satellites,” Rose said, and tracking helps countries avoid collisions of satellite and debris.
National Space policy, Rose said, places priority on maintaining the integrity of the space environment and directs the United States to expand international partnerships, mitigate orbital debris and strengthen U.S. space leadership. He said countries are trying to develop a voluntary code of conduct for outer space and quoted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who pushed for the development of ways to maintain long-term sustainability of space. Clinton previously said, “The long-term sustainability of our space environment is at serious risk from space debris and irresponsible actors. Unless we take action to reverse these trends, it could have damaging consequences for all of us.”
Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill opened the Educational Exchange by thanking teachers for their commitment to the program and the Space Foundation for its partnership that has helped CCPS create a model STEM program for children. Hill said she plans to continue the CCPS partnership with the Space Foundation. “We are a better school system today because of our partnership,” Hill said.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
