Space and Aerospace

CSIS examines the technological, budgetary, and policy issues related to the space domain with analysis led by the Aerospace Security Project, the Missile Defense Project, the Strategic Technologies Program, and the International Security Program.

Photo: John Lund/Getty Images

Photo: John Lund/Getty Images

Why Are There So Many Unexplained Drones Flying Over the United States?

Residents in several East Coast states are reporting unexplained drones in the night sky, part of a trend in unexplained sightings across the country over the last year, exposing gaps in the abilities of the federal government to track drones in U.S. airspace.

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Critical Questions by Clayton Swope — December 16, 2024

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Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
James Andrew Lewis

James Andrew Lewis

Senior Vice President; Pritzker Chair; and Director, Strategic Technologies Program
Tom Karako

Tom Karako

Director, Missile Defense Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Clayton Swope

Clayton Swope

Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Senior Fellow, Futures Lab, Defense and Security Department

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To Infinity and Beyond: OpenAI to the New Space Race

On this episode, Ashley Pilipiszyn discusses her decision to take a job at OpenAI or finish her PhD. In addition, the group delves into the growing space race between China and the United States.

Event — December 19, 2024

Celebrating the U.S. Space Force and Charting Its Future

Please join the CSIS Aerospace Security Project on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, for Celebrating the U.S. Space Force and Charting its Future. The event will convene senior space leaders who will reflect on the service’s accomplishments and mission, from inception to the future.

Event — December 17, 2024

Why Are There So Many Unexplained Drones Flying Over the United States?

Residents in several East Coast states are reporting unexplained drones in the night sky, part of a trend in unexplained sightings across the country over the last year, exposing gaps in the abilities of the federal government to track drones in U.S. airspace.

Critical Questions by Clayton Swope — December 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Why Are There So Many Unexplained Drones Flying Over the United States?

An audio version of “Why Are There So Many Unexplained Drones Flying Over the United States?,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Clayton Swope. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Clayton Swope — December 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Tactically Responsive Space: An Emerging New Deterrence Tool

The specter of a potential Russian on-orbit, antisatellite nuclear weapon demands a new way of thinking about how space might be used by an adversary and an assessment of the ability of the U.S. Department of Defense to quickly respond to new threats on orbit.

Commentary by John Plumb — October 31, 2024