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Mariel Borowitz’s research deals with international space policy issues, focusing particularly on global developments related to remote sensing satellites and challenges to space security and sustainability.

Mariel Borowitz

Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and head of the program on International Affairs, Science, and Technology

Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Sam Nunn School of International Affairs

Mariel Borowitz is a renowned expert in international space policy, including strategy and developments in space security.

Mariel Borowitz’s research deals with international space policy issues, focusing particularly on global developments related to remote sensing satellites and challenges to space security and sustainability. Her book, Open Space: The Global Effort for Open Access to Environmental Satellite Data, published by MIT Press, examines trends in the development of data sharing policies governing Earth observing satellites, as well as interactions with the growing commercial remote sensing sector. Her work has been published in ScienceStrategic Studies QuarterlySpace PolicyAstropolitics, and New Space, and her research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA.

News and Recent Appearances

Borowitz Testifies to Need for Civil-Sector Space Monitoring

Borowitz recommended the transition of space monitoring from the Defense Department to a civil agency.

Will Moving to the Commercial Cloud Leave Some Data Users Behind?

A space policy researcher urges caution on the design of commercial cloud contracts for hosting federal agency data.

Scrubbed launch ratchets up pressure on NASA’s moon mission

Politico

“NASA has been trying to get humans to the moon for quite a long time,” said Mariel Borowitz, a former policy analyst at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate who now teaches at the ɫ Technology. “The U.S. has set that goal and then changed that goal multiple times in the past couple of decades. This is really the closest that NASA has ever gotten, the most progress they’ve made since the 1960s, of actually being able to return humans to the moon.

Russia says it will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024

NPR

MARIEL BOROWITZ: In some ways, it's less dramatic than it sounds, you know? They're saying they're going to leave, but they're going to leave in 2024. And they're going to go through this process working with partners. So it's not an immediate, abrupt departure.

War in Ukraine highlights the growing strategic importance of private satellite companies – especially in times of conflict

The Conversation

Satellites owned by private companies have played an unexpectedly important role in the war in Ukraine. For example, in early August 2022, images from the private satellite company Planet Labs  a recent attack on a Russian military base in Crimea caused more damage than Russia had suggested in public reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  as evidence of Ukraine’s progress in the war.

The war in Ukraine shows how important private satellite companies have become—especially in times of conflict

Fast Company

Satellites owned by private companies have played an unexpectedly important role in the war in Ukraine. For example, in early August 2022, images from the private satellite company Planet Labs  a recent attack on a Russian military base in Crimea caused more damage than Russia had suggested in public reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  as evidence of Ukraine’s progress in the war.

 

Media

Mariel Borowitz’s research deals with international space policy issues, focusing particularly on global developments related to remote sensing satellites and challenges to space security and sustainability.