We’re proud to introduce the winners of the 2025 Schweickart Prize: Jordan Stone, Jim Buhler, Youssef Saleh, and Kosuke Ikeya. Their interdisciplinary and international collaboration led to a thoughtful, forward-looking proposal to strengthen global preparedness for the risks of unintended asteroid orbit alterations.
In this interview, we spoke with each team member about their backgrounds, motivations, and the inspiration behind their winning idea—the Panel for Asteroid Orbit Alteration (PAOA). The team also reflected together on the challenges they faced, the role of mentorship, and what’s next.
Jordan Stone
PhD Candidate, Imperial College London
Astrobiology & Space Governance
I was born and raised in the UK and currently live in London, where I’m pursuing a PhD in astrobiology. I’ve always been fascinated by big questions—how life began, whether it exists elsewhere, and what the future of humanity in space might look like. My background is in zoology, which is a bit unconventional for the space sector, but studying Earth’s biodiversity sparked my interest in life’s origins and its potential beyond our planet. That curiosity led me to astrobiology research during my master’s, and now in my PhD, alongside growing work in space governance.
I joined the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in 2020 to coauthor a report on the space sector’s role in addressing climate change. The report was presented at the UN, which highlighted SGAC’s impact and inspired me to get more involved. I later became partnerships coordinator for SGAC’s Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group and launched the Cosmic Futures project—a now 60-person initiative focused on long-term space governance.
Jim Buhler
PhD Candidate, University of Santiago de Compostela
Philosophy & Space Ethics
I’m originally from France and am pursuing a PhD in philosophy at the University of Santiago de Compostela under the supervision of Professor Oscar Horta. My academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s in moral philosophy, which led me to specialize in ethics related to space exploration and colonization.
I joined SGAC about six months ago to participate in the Cosmic Futures project, where I contribute research on space ethics and the epistemology of influencing the long-term future. The project gave me a chance to apply my academic training to practical challenges emerging in the space sector.
Youssef Saleh
Master’s Student, Cairo University – Astrophysics
I was born and raised in Egypt, and I’ve been fascinated by space for as long as I can remember. Watching Cosmos as a child sparked a deep sense of wonder about the universe—how it works, what’s out there, and what our place in it might be. As I got older, my focus shifted from pure exploration to also thinking about responsibility—how we protect Earth as we expand into space.
I pursued a double major in astronomy and physics as an undergraduate and am now working toward a master’s in astrophysics at Cairo University. I joined SGAC to connect with a global network of peers tackling real-world challenges in space science and planetary defense. Contributing to this project was a way to merge my academic interests with my growing passion for protecting our planet.
Kosuke Ikeya
PhD Candidate, Imperial College London – Aerospace Engineering & Policy
I’m from Japan and grew up near Tokyo. Since my mid-20s, I’ve lived in Germany and the U.S., and I’m now pursuing a PhD in London. I’ve always been fascinated by space—especially after seeing the iconic Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders.
With a bachelor’s in mechano-aerospace engineering and a master’s in aerospace engineering, I’ve researched a range of space-related topics, including lunar mining. The deeper I got into the technical side, the more I began to reflect on the broader implications of space activities and the need for sound international policies to guide them.
Can you explain the main focus and objectives of your winning proposal, the PAOA?
Our proposal calls for the creation of a new international body—the Panel for Asteroid Orbit Alteration (PAOA)—to help mitigate risks from unintended shifts in asteroid orbits caused by human activity. These alterations may be intentional, such as asteroid capture, or accidental, such as changes caused by spacecraft impacts, ejected material, or gravitational shifts from mining.
The PAOA would develop best-practice guidelines to avoid hazardous orbit alteration and coordinate data-sharing with planetary defense bodies such as the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN).
The orbit of an asteroid may be altered by an accidental collision of a spacecraft with the asteroid, small sustained forces, an alteration to the mass balance between nearby asteroids, or by generation of ejecta. Illustration created using images adapted from NASA.
What were some of the biggest challenges your team faced while working on the proposal?
The proposal spanned a wide range of disciplines—orbital dynamics, spacecraft operations, planetary defense, mining, and international policy—which required deep research and careful fact-checking. Our team’s diversity was a real strength. Kosuke focused on modeling orbit alteration scenarios, Jordan worked on governance structures, while Jim and Youssef reviewed references and ensured the accuracy of the technical and ethical framing. We stayed connected online throughout, drawing on each other’s strengths and learning the value of interdisciplinary teamwork.
Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in your journey so far?
After advancing to the second round, we were fortunate to be mentored by Rusty Schweickart. His experience—particularly leading the International Panel on Asteroid Threat Mitigation in 2008—was instrumental in helping us shape our proposal. That panel’s work led to the creation of IAWN and SMPAG, and we used it as a precedent for how a body like the PAOA could be formed today.
AstroForge built the Odin spacecraft in just a few months after problems with the original manufacturer.
Were there any recent events or findings that shaped your thinking on this work?
The urgency of our idea was underscored by AstroForge’s Odin mission in February 2025. Just three years after its founding, the company launched a spacecraft to prospect an asteroid. Although communication was lost, the event highlighted how quickly asteroid mining is becoming a reality. With tens of millions of dollars now being invested in this sector, international frameworks must evolve to ensure safety and accountability.
How does your team plan to use the $10,000 prize to further your research or career?
We’re donating $6,000 of the prize to the SGAC Cosmic Futures project to fund tools, website development, and support members presenting at conferences or publishing in journals. Another $1,000 will go toward research projects within SGAC that examine risks from asteroid orbit alteration.
The Schweickart Prize, a program of B612, celebrates not only bold ideas in planetary defense, but also the emerging leaders behind them. This year’s winning proposal reflects the kind of interdisciplinary thinking and global collaboration needed to address the complex challenges of humanity’s future in space. By recognizing students like Jordan, Jim, Youssef, and Kosuke, the Schweickart Prize amplifies the importance of early-career voices in shaping international space policy and advancing planetary protection.
The Schweickart Prize is a program of B612 Foundation a U.S. based nonprofit organization (Tax ID 54-2078469), whose mission is to support research and technologies to enable the economic development of space and enhance our understanding of the evolution of our solar system, and provide educational resources and opportunities for future generations. Please support us in our mission and make a donation today.