United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI) 1991-2012 and Beyond

Abstract

The present paper contains an overview and summary on the achievements of the basic space science initiative in terms of donated and provided planetariums, astronomical instruments, and space weather instruments, particularly operating in developing nations. These instruments have been made available to respective host countries, particularly developing nations, through the series of twenty basic space science workshops, organized through the United Nations Programme on Space Applications since 1991. Organized by the United Nations, the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the basic space science workshops were organized as a series of workshops that focused on basic space science (1991-2004), the International Heliophysical Year 2007 (2005-2009), and the International Space Weather Initiative (2010-2012) proposed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on the basis of discussions of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, as reflected in the reports of the Subcommittee. Workshops on the International Space Weather Initiative in the series were hosted by the Government of Egypt in 2010 (see A/AC.105/994), the Government of Nigeria in 2011, and the Government of Ecuador in 2012 (see A/AC.105/1030). Workshops on the International Heliophysical Year 2007 were hosted by the United Arab Emirates in 2005 (see A/AC.105/856), India in 2006 (see A/AC.105/882), Japan in 2007 (see A/AC.105/902), Bulgaria in 2008 (see A/AC.105/919) and the Republic of Korea in 2009 (see A/AC.105/964). Workshops on basic space science were hosted by the Governments of India (see A/AC.105/489), Costa Rica and Colombia (see A/AC.105/530), Nigeria (see A/AC.105/560/Add.1), Egypt (see A/AC.105/580), Sri Lanka (see A/AC.105/640), Germany (see A/AC.105/657), Honduras (see A/AC.105/682), Jordan (see A/AC.105/723), France (see A/AC.105/742), Mauritius (see A/AC.105/766), Argentina (see A/AC.105/784) and China (see A/AC.105/829). All workshops were co-organized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).