UN Space Research Articles

Space Debris Mitigation in France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom

The Space systems today provide growing benefits to enhance the quality of humankind. However, as a by-product, the orbiting objects inevitably leaves some debris which after 50 years of space activities represent a concern for all space agencies and manufacturers and operators. Since last year no international agreement was in place to mitigate the growing population of space debris objects. The successful result obtained at UN-COPUOS in 2007 and available in the OOSA web site, now gives to the public, a set of voluntary international guidelines that could, if adopted by each space fairing Country, help in maintaining the present space environment. More further steps are necessary in the future to define a legal and normative framework. The paper will present the seven established UN Space Debris guidelines as well as examples of the minimum steps to be carried out at national level to enable the UN-COPUOS to start the discussion of the legal aspect associated with the space debris issue.

The need for a United Nations space policy

The international community is entering an era of shared global utilities from space and is increasingly reliant on space systems and activities that support a myriad of applications and utilities on Earth. A growing number of states are seeking to develop or extend their space capabilities. At the same time, a variety of non-state actors are also extending their involvement in space activities. The United Nations is the principal inter-governmental forum to deal with various space issues of global importance. Moreover, the United Nations system itself has become increasingly reliant on space systems for its day-to-day operations. In order for the United Nations to play its necessary role in the space arena, it will need to be supported by a space policy. A United Nations space policy would provide over-arching guidance on space activities for UN stakeholders in the space arena; it would inform UN participation in space activities and would promote improved coordination and cooperative governance of outer space activities. A world without a common UN space policy will not be able to respond to the challenges of the rapidly evolving space arena in the 21st century.

Space agencies and the UN system: the Space Agency Forum (SAF) 10th Plenary

Abstract The Space Agency Forum (SAF) met for its 10th plenary meeting in Bremen on 30 September 2003. Its motto was “Space Agencies and the UN System”. Following various presentations on relevant issues, including the UN Space Applications Programme and the follow-up of UNISPACE III, SAF members discussed their participation in these fields. The meeting resulted in a number of inputs to these issue areas and coordinated approaches vis-a-vis policy questions.

‘Space benefits’ — towards a useful framework for international cooperation

The developing countries' demand for a legal framework for international cooperation in space activities (redistribution of the ‘Space Benefits’) has recently become the focal point of discussions in the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS. In addition, it has to be expected that a third global UN space conference (Unispace) will be convened in the near future. Therefore, the so far dominant deadlock between the developing and industrialized countries should be overcome. Both sides are called upon to jettison ideological ballast and agree on a pragmatic approach for drafting realistic rules of the road for international space cooperation.

A case for permanent lunar development and investment

This Viewpoint argues that the promise of the Apollo Moon landings was not fully realized and that we should now think seriously about developing a lunar base. This could be effective in a number of economic and environmental sectors and would provide a focus for conversion of the defence industry to more peaceful activities. However, the existing UN space treaties would need to be amended and a new authority created to govern activities on the Moon.

The UN space treaties and the common heritage principle

The Moon Treaty, adopted by the UN's Outer Space Committee by consensus in 1979, has never been ratified by the major space powers — although it is essentially only an elaboration of the non-controversial Outer-Space Treaty. The author discusses the international political and economic climate of the time to explain the West's apparent withdrawal into self-interest. The controversy over the exploitation of lunar resources is preventing agreement on the other, more important issues covered by the Moon Treaty. The author argues that the successful INMARSAT organization could serve as a model for cooperation in exploiting the Moon's resources. A greater degree of understanding, humility, realism and generosity is needed before the problems can be resolved.

U.S. prestige slips at UN space conference

U.S. prestige slips at UN space conference