OUTER SPACE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO HOLD THIRTY-THIRD SESSION IN VIENNA, 12-23 FEBRUARY
Press Release
OS/1717
OUTER SPACE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO HOLD THIRTY-THIRD SESSION IN VIENNA, 12-23 FEBRUARY
19960208 Background ReleaseVIENNA, 8 February (UN Information Service) -- New possibilities for using small, low-cost satellites to carry out a wide range of important tasks will be a key focus of attention during a two-week intergovernmental meeting which begins here on Monday, 12 February.
The 61-member Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which serves as the focal point of multilateral cooperation in space technology and research, will consider how best to facilitate the use of micro- and small satellites, particularly to meet the needs of developing countries in such fields as communications, earth resource monitoring, disaster warning and long-distance education. A recently issued report on the subject says such projects are ideal for extensive international cooperation and could involve even countries with modest research budgets and little or no experience with space technology.
Priority attention will also be given to the threat posed by space debris. The Subcommittee is proceeding with a multi-year plan for addressing the issue, amidst growing alarm at the hazards posed by defunct satellites and fragments of objects launched into earth orbit, especially considering the added threat of collision with nuclear-powered space objects. The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee is reviewing steps taken by space agencies to reduce the growth or damage potential of debris and the technical options for dealing with it.
The Subcommittee will continue to discuss the possibility of convening a third United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space (UNISPACE III), with a view to enabling the Outer Space Committee make a final recommendation on the matter to the General Assembly later this year. Two previous Conferences -- UNISPACE and UNISPACE 82 -- were held in Vienna in 1967 and 1982.
In connection with the Subcommittee's discussion of small satellite activities, experts from a number of countries will make presentations on 12 and 13 February at the end of the afternoon meetings, during a two-part symposium sponsored by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the
International Astronautical Federation (IAF). Participants will emphasize the potential of micro- and small satellites for addressing the special needs of developing countries.
Also on the Subcommittee's agenda will be a review of activities carried out under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, including workshops, seminars and training courses held during the past year and progress made in establishing Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education.
Other matters to be discussed include remote sensing issues, research concerning the safety of nuclear-powered satellites, implications of space transportation systems for future activities in space, space medicine, planetary exploration, space communications developments and technical issues concerning the geostationary orbit.
Micro- and Small-Satellite Programmes
While the space age began with the launching of small satellites in 1958, the International Geophysical Year, space systems subsequently evolved into large, complex and expensive space platforms for scientific research and other ambitious applications that often required years of preparation and considerable financial backing.
Recently, however, space agencies in a number of countries -- some of them newcomers to the field -- have been increasingly interested in returning to the use of small satellites, which offer the promise of low-cost and short development time. This class of spacecraft can make significant capabilities accessible to a wide number of diversified users in every country of the world, as one report before the Subcommittee points out.
Other advantages cited in the report include more rapid expansion of the technical knowledge base, greater involvement of local industry and excellent training opportunities for students, engineers and scientists in various disciplines. Progress in many areas means that small satellites can now offer services previously only available from much larger craft. Areas of application include space physics, astronomy, communications, resource monitoring and disaster warning.
"Small" satellites generally weigh up to 400 kilogrammes and micro- satellites less than 100 kilogrammes. A typical small satellite mission, including launch, usually costs less than $20 million, and most micro- satellite projects cost around $3 million. Because of their small size, they can be used closer to Earth and with less power on board. But, it is the potential availability of cheap launchers that has spurred much of the recent surge of interest.
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The eventual success of small satellites and microsatellites is not considered to be in doubt, but, according to the report, the realization of their full potential will require a radical rethinking of the way missions are planned and operated. Some sort of design standardization and the ability to adapt existing hardware readily and cheaply will become valuable assets for both manufacturer and user.
Among the difficulties in promoting the use of this technology is that countries with established space programmes frequently do not understand the scope of problems within developing countries and a lack of adequately trained local personnel. The report recommends that the Outer Space Committee devote more attention to this issue and follow up the Subcommittee's deliberations on the question with proposals for ensuring substantial progress in the small satellite field.
The COSPAR/IAF Symposium will take place in two parts: the first session, on small satellite activities, will include presentations by experts from France, Chile, Spain, Republic of Korea and the European Space Agency (ESA). That panel will take place on 12 February, starting at 4 p.m., under the co-chairmanship of IAF President Karl Doetsch and Willibald Riedler of COSPAR. The second panel, on the potential of micro- and small satellites, will take place the following afternoon, with presentations by experts from India, France, United States, Brazil and South Africa.
Space Debris
The question of space debris has been given particular priority in view of the ever-increasing risk of collision with other space objects. With the crowding of earth orbits with several thousand satellites, the normal lifespan of which is five to six years, many Governments are calling for urgent steps to deal with present and future debris. When the Outer Space Committee took up the issue in 1994, it was decided that no regulations could be drawn up for preventing or cleaning up space debris until the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee first provided a relevant assessment of the scope of the problem, its hazard potential and options for dealing with it. The Subcommittee is proceding with a multi-year plan under which it is reviewing the latest scientific research related to the topic, including measurements of space debris, understanding of data and effects of this environment on space systems.
The Subcommittee will have before it a report by the secretariat on steps taken by space agencies for reducing the growth or damage potential of space debris, based on information provided by member States and national and international space organizations. The report covers measures taken in the construction of launch vehicles, the prevention of accidents, the protection of the geostationary orbit and protection of active spacecraft from debris impact.
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Also available is a compilation of information provided by Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom on national research on space debris and the risk of collisions between debris and nuclear-powered objects.
Remote-Sensing Issues
The Subcommittee will review the national and cooperative programmes in the remote sensing of Earth from satellites. In recent years, these have begun to include, in addition to cooperative programmes between developed and developing countries, a number of joint initiatives among developing countries. A key issue for the Subcommittee has been how best to ensure appropriate and non-discriminatory access to the data obtained, particularly on the part of the developing countries.
Proposals will be considered for promoting international cooperation in the use of remote-sensing satellites through coordination of the operations of ground stations and regular meetings between satellite operators and users. One suggestion is that the international community designate an annual "International Space Day" that could draw world-wide attention to such concerns.
Use of Nuclear Power Sources
The Subcommittee is considering whether evolving technological developments and the results of international research on the safety of nuclear-powered satellites may make it necessary to update the "Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space" that were adopted by the Assembly in 1992. Those Principles govern the use of such power sources in space and define the obligations of States operating them.
Proposed Third UNISPACE
Regarding the proposed convening of a third UNISPACE, the Subcommittee is expected to complete a framework that would allow the Outer Space Committee to evaluate all proposals, including possibilities of achieving the final objectives of such a conference by other means. The Assembly has agreed that it would be possible to hold such an event before the turn of the present century, but only if there is agreement on an agenda, a venue and funding.
Election of New Chairman
The Subcommittee will elect a new Chairman to replace John H. Carver (Australia) who has retired after 25 years.
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Membership
The Subcommittees comprises the 61 members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam and Yugoslavia. Peru and Malaysia will rotate every two years with Cuba and the Republic of Korea.
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