Registration Required. Go to: https://bit.ly/ArtemisAccordsTalk
On May 21st at 7:00 PM, Hamptons Observatory and Rutgers University are honored to present a free, virtual lecture by Rebecca Bresnik, Esq.,
NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, established the Artemis Accords in 2020 together with seven other founding member nations; the number of signing nations has since grown to 39. The Artemis Accords reinforce and implement the 1967 “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,” otherwise known as the “Outer Space Treaty.” This vital initiative is to establish a common vision via a practical set of principles, guidelines, and best practices to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space; they are intended to apply to civil space activities conducted by the civil space agencies of each Signatory nation. The principles of the Artemis Accords include: peaceful exploration; transparency; emergency assistance; sharing of scientific data; safe and sustainable utilization of space resources, and disposal of orbital debris.
This event will be moderated by Johanna Bond, the dean of Rutgers Law School. Hamptons Observatory co-founder, president and Rutgers Law School alumnus, Terry Bienstock, will introduce Ms. Bresnik.
Rebecca Bresnik, Esq., is Associate General Counsel for International and Space Law for NASA’s Office of General Counsel, Washington, D.C. In this role her duties include serving as the lead for international and space law matters to all organizational components of NASA to ensure legal implementation of NASA’s international matters. She was lead counsel for the design, operation and utilization of the ISS and Gateway Programs for almost two decades, and was primary counsel for NASA’s implementation of the first private astronaut mission to ISS. She has also been instrumental in NASA’s Artemis missions to include negotiating the Gateway platform agreement, advising on the drafting of the Artemis Accords, and executing the Service Module Agreements for the Orion Vehicles. She currently is the lead export counsel for NASA. She serves as part of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Outer Space Legal Subcommittee which aims to increase coherence and synergy in international cooperation in space activities at all levels. She is also an adjunct Professor of Space Law and faculty advisor for the Space Law Society at the University of Houston Law Center and lectures as a Fulbright Specialist. Ms Bresnik received a Juris Doctorate degree from Rutgers School of Law at Camden in 1999, and a Master of Laws degree in International Law from the University of Houston in 2007. In 2012, she was a NASA Fellowship recipient and attended the Space Odyssey Institute. She has received numerous awards for her legal achievements, including the NASA Attorney of the Year Award, 2023; NASA Silver Medal, 2019; NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 2014, 2018, 2017; NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, 2011; NASA Legal Teamwork Award, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2022. Outside of NASA she was awarded the General Counsel Forum-Magna Stella Award 2013 for Outstanding Assistant Counsel and an Exemplary Civilian Service Award for Distinguished Performance from the Department of the Air Force, 2002; and inducted into “Rutgers-Camden Finest,” 2016. Rebecca was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and is married to Astronaut Colonel (ret.) Randolph James Bresnik.
Hamptons Observatory extends its deepest thanks to Rebecca Bresnik for generously taking the time to share her expertise, and to co-host Rutgers University for their kind collaboration.
Hamptons Observatory (HO), a 501(c)(3) New York State nonprofit since 2005. Its mission: to foster interest in science, particularly astronomy, through educational programs. Lectures, star parties, portable planetarium shows and other events are held frequently and often in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations. HO has an observatory in East Hampton that it is renovating to make accessible (in-person and remotely) to students, researchers, educators and the general public. Hamptons Observatory offers all of its public programs free-of-charge (although donations are much appreciated) so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the wonders of their universe. For further information about us or to join our mailing list, please visit our website: https://HamptonsObservatory.org