A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmental organizations, but some are semi-autonomous agencies within government or are associated with particular political parties, businesses or the military. Think-tank funding often includes a combination of donations from wealthy individuals and personal contributions, with many also accepting government grants.
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is an international space advocacy organization based in Paris, and founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization to establish a dialogue between scientists around the world and to lay the information for international space cooperation. It has over 390 members from 68 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, companies, universities, professional associations, museums, government organizations and learned societies. The IAF organizes the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
The International Space University (ISU) is dedicated to the discovery, research, and development of outer space and its applications for peaceful purposes, through international and multidisciplinary education and research programs. ISU was founded in 1987 and is registered in France and in the US as a non profit organisation. The university offers a one or two-year Master in Space Studies (MSS) in Strasbourg and shorter professional development programs across the world. The latter include an itinerant nine-week Space Studies Program (SSP), a five-week Southern Hemisphere SSP in partnership with the University of South Australia, a 6-week Commercial Space graduate certificate in partnership with the Florida Institute of Technology, and one-week Executive Space Courses in Australia, Europe and the USA.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) is an institute of higher education under the umbrella of the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some consider the most elite university in Russia. It is one of the top universities in Russia, as well as a think tank. MGIMO is reputable for the role of teamwork, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, and strategic planning as aspects of its training methodologies.
The German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (help·info) (DIE) is one of the leading think tanks for development policy worldwide. This has been attested in January 2013 by the ranking of the Global Go To Think Tanks Report : For the fifth consecutive time, DIE has been selected as one of the Top Ten influential think tanks and research institutions in the field of development policy worldwide. The German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) is one of only three European research institutes ranked in this Top Ten list. DIE improved its visibility in the international context in the current ranking on a wide scale, such as in the categories Top Think Tanks in Western Europe, Top Think Tanks – Worldwide and Best Government Affiliated Think Tanks. Once again, DIE belongs to the Top 20 institutions among the Think Tanks with the Most Innovative Policy Ideas/Proposals. Furthermore, DIE was evaluated in a number of categories for the first time, e.g., within the category Think Tanks with Outstanding Policy-Oriented Research Programs) or in the field of knowledge marketing. The Institute is based in the UN-City of Bonn. DIE builds bridges between theory and practice and works within international research networks. The key to DIE’s success is its institutional independence, which is guaranteed by the Institute’s founding statute.
The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, is a non-governmental organisation and professional network which "aims to bring the views of students and young space professionals to the United Nations (UN), space industry and other organisations”. SGAC has a clear purpose to connect, inspire, engage and advocate; it works to raise awareness among the next generation of space professionals on a global scale. The SGAC network currently represents over 15,000 members across 150 countries - the world's largest network of students, young professionals and alumni in the space industry. SGAC operates in the six official languages of the United Nations, though the official working language is English.
The International Strategic Research Organization is an independent think-tank established in 2004. It pursues interdisciplinary studies on national and international political, economic and security issues.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), established in 1993 by Rehman Sobhan, its Founder chairman, with support from leading civil society institutions in Bangladesh, is mandated by its Deed of Trust to service the growing demand originating from the emerging civil society of Bangladesh for a more participatory and accountable development process. CPD seeks to address this felt-need from the perspectives of marginalised stakeholders, by way of organising multistakeholder consultations, by conducting research on issues of critical national, regional and global interests, through dissemination of knowledge and information on key developmental issues, and by influencing the concerned policy making processes.
The Space Research and Technology Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is a primary research body in the field of space science in Bulgaria.
Space policy is the political decision-making process for, and application of, public policy of a state regarding spaceflight and uses of outer space, both for civilian and military purposes. International treaties, such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, attempt to maximize the peaceful uses of space and restrict the militarization of space.
Istanbul Ticaret University is a foundation university which was founded in 2001 by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Education and Social Services Foundation.
The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) is located at the American University of Beirut (AUB). This independent institute develops policy research in the Arab region and provides a space for the exchange of ideas. The Institute building gained international attention by winning a prestigious architecture award in 2016.
Institute for Information, Telecommunication and Media Law or ITM is a research & educational organisation located in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. All major research projects conducted by ITM are ordered by European Commission. Scientific Council of the Institute is presented by Prof. Dr.Dr. Gunnar Bender, Wilhelm Berneke, Jon Bing, Santiago Cavanillas, Herbert Fiedler, Heinz Lothar Grob, Fritjof Haft, Bernt Hugenholtz, Hans Jarass, Wolfgang Kilian, Miriam Meckel, Ernst-Joachim Mestmäcker, Ursula Nelles and other prominent scientists.
The space policy of the United States includes both the making of space policy through the legislative process, and the implementation of that policy in the United States' civilian and military space programs through regulatory agencies. The early history of United States space policy is linked to the US–Soviet Space Race of the 1960s, which gave way to the Space Shuttle program. There is a current debate on the post-Space Shuttle future of the civilian space program (NASA).
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is the umbrella organization of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. It was established in 1965 with the aim of promoting business and industry while protecting the rights and interests of business and industrial communities FNCCI has been playing a key role in promoting business and industry in the country. It provides, inter alia, information, advisory, consultative, promotional and representative services to business and government and organises training / workshop / seminar on a regular basis. FNCCI is Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Walter Peeters is a Belgian engineer, economist and professor. He became president of the International Space University in 2011.
SRM – Associazione Studi e Ricerche per il Mezzogiorno is an Italian Study Centre founded in Naples in 2003 which aims to improve the knowledge of Italian economy in terms of infrastructural, productive and social assets, proceeding from a European and Mediterranean perspective. From the Study Centre of the Banco di Napoli, established in 1931, SRM inherited a consolidated know-how in the analysis of the economic dynamics of the South of Italy. Over the years, it has implemented its research from an international point of view.
The Australian Space Agency is an agency under the Australian Government responsible for the development of Australia's commercial space industry, coordinating domestic activities, identifying opportunities and facilitating international space engagement that include Australian stakeholders. Its headquarters are located in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia.
Space Applications Services is an independent Belgian company founded in 1987, with a subsidiary, Aerospace Applications North America, in Houston, USA. Its aim is to research and develop innovative systems, solutions and products and provide services to the aerospace and security markets and related industries. Its activities cover manned and unmanned spacecraft, launch/re-entry vehicles, control centres, robotics and a wide range of information systems. The company is EN 9100 certified and serves clients worldwide. It is owned and managed by its founders, Richard Aked and Leif Steinicke.
Temidayo Isaiah Oniosun is a Nigerian space scientist and businessperson. He is the founder of Space in Africa and the former regional coordinator for Space Generation Advisory Council for Africa.
