DANGERS OF SPACE DEBRIS, PROSPECTS FOR SMALL SATELLITE USE AMONG QUESTIONS DISCUSSED IN SESSION OF OUTER SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE
Press Release
OS/1719
DANGERS OF SPACE DEBRIS, PROSPECTS FOR SMALL SATELLITE USE AMONG QUESTIONS DISCUSSED IN SESSION OF OUTER SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE
19960226 VIENNA, 23 February (UN Information Service) -- Prospects for using small satellites to bring the benefits of space technology to developing countries and discoveries in how to measure and assess the dangers posed by "space debris" were among the main questions discussed at the thirty-third session of the Outer Space Committee's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, which ended here this morning.The 61-member Subcommittee, a subsidiary body of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, also showed signs of a general move towards agreement on convening a third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), following several years of debate on the question.
Special focus was given to the use of relatively low cost micro- and small satellites to carry out a number of tasks previously available only through much more expensive space projects. The Subcommittee noted that the small satellites could make significant space capabilities accessible to a wide range of users, including students, engineers and scientists in many countries. It stressed, however, the need to raise awareness of the possible benefits of a national space programme and to overcome a lack of adequately trained personnel in some countries and recommended that the United Nations Space Applications Programme devote more attention to issues related to micro- and small satellites.
A symposium on the use of such satellites for meeting the needs of developing countries was held during the session, organized jointly by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
On the question of space debris, including defunct satellites and fragments of various man-made space objects, the Subcommittee reviewed research carried out by several countries on various means of measuring debris and assessing its impact on space systems. It produced its first international overview of debris-measuring work as a step towards finding ways of preventing and cleaning up space debris.
The Subcommittee reviewed the United Nations Space Applications Programme, which assists developing countries through training and technical
assistance so that they can employ modern technologies for their economic and social development.
Over the course of the session, the Subcommittee heard technical presentations on a range of space-related issues, including the application potential of Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-1C), interpretation and development of safety principles for nuclear power sources in space, the outcome of the United Nations International Conference on Near-Earth Objects, the development of a reusable single-stage sub-orbital vehicle, threats posed by solar reflectors to radio astronomy, high-resolution imaging systems and the status of new commercial remote-sensing satellites.
The Subcommittee will submit its recommendations to the forthcoming session of the Outer Space Committee, which will meet here from 3 to 14 June. The Subcommittee's next session, scheduled for 17 to 28 February 1997 in Vienna, will devote special attention to space systems for direct broadcast and for global information.
Space Debris
In line with a multi-year plan for dealing with space debris, which it had drawn up last year, the Subcommittee this year focused its attention on measurement of space debris, understanding data and the effects of the debris environment on space systems.
In an exchange of views on the subject, some delegations urged that every user of the geostationary orbit plan to remove its space object from the orbit after its work was completed in order to eliminate danger to other users. Another proposal was the establishment of an international centre to provide advance warning on explosions in space, fragmentation of space objects and possible collisions. There was a call for forming a uniform database from existing catalogues of space objects. The view was also expressed that a set of international rules be codified based on current practices of space agencies aimed at reducing the growth of orbital debris.
A paper submitted to the session by the Russian Federation outlines Russian scientists' efforts to address the problem of the "technogenic pollution" of near space. It covers work done by Russian scientists to observe space debris particles by various means, model the degree of pollution of near space, protect spacecraft from the action of high-velocity particles and reduce the degree of near-space pollution. Proposals for "clean-up" of the satellite-crowded geostationary region include the use of special towing spacecraft to detect, capture and transfer defunct objects to storage orbits, the establishment of space platforms with separable one-time towing modules and the transfer of uncontrollable objects to higher orbits to prevent their descent to Earth.
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On the basis of information obtained from governments and organizations involved in space debris measurement research, the Subcommittee formulated a chapter of the technical report it has been asked to prepare as a basis for further deliberations by the Outer Space Committee. Chapters on modelling of the debris environment and on mitigation options would be added in coming years, and the measurement chapter would be updated annually.
The chapter on space debris measurement covers a range of methods for detecting and measuring inactive man-made objects and fragments in space. These include ground-based radars, telescopes and space-based radar and optical methods, as well as infrared measurements from space using satellites pointed away from Earth. It also reviews recent research on the impact of meteroids and debris on spacecraft and surfaces retrieved from space. While the five cases studied were found to be covered with impact craters of varying sizes, no functional degradation of spacecraft was observed.
During the session, special presentations on the complexities of the space debris issue and solutions being pursued at the national level were made by Dieter Mehrholz of Germany, Richard Crowther of the United Kingdom, and George Levin and Andrew Potter of the United States. Also, Vadim Nikolaev of the Russian Federation reviewed the possibility of collision between space debris and nuclear-powered space vehicles and objects.
Small Satellites
The symposium on the use of micro- and small satellites was held on 12 and 13 February following the afternoon meetings. Presentations included "Small satellite programmes in developing countries" by Pierre Molette, Chairman of the International Academy of Astronautics; "ESA's Small Missions Opportunities (SMO) Initiative" by Franco Ongaro of the European Space Agency (ESA); "Small satellite projects in Latin America" by Christian Puebla Menne of the Comité de Asuntos Especiales de Chile; an introduction to the KITSAT Programme by Simg-Heon Kim of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology; and "Small satellite projects in Spain" by Alvaro Giménez of the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA).
Other presentations were "Contribution of small and micro-satellites to scientific research by K.R. Sridharamurthy of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO); "French experience and prospects in the use of small and micro-satellites" by Pierre-Louis Contreras of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES); "NASA cooperation with developing nations on small satellite programmes" by John Mansfield of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); a review of Brazil's small satellite programme by Delcio Ceballos of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espacialis (INPE); and "The Sunset Project" by S. Mostert of the University of Stellenbosch.
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During the course of the session, further presentations were made by Zbigniew Klos of Poland, Youri Zubarev of the Russian Federation and Lucy Stojak of the International Space University.
Nuclear Power Sources
With regard to the use of nuclear power sources in space, the Subcommittee heard a number of views on whether and how to update a set of principles adopted by the General Assembly in 1992 regarding the safe use of such power sources in outer space.
Some delegations felt that in due time supplementary principles might be a way to update the existing Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space. It was suggested that the Subcommittee assume the duty of assessing technical aspects related to the use of nuclear power sources on the Moon and other celestial bodies.
The Subcommittee took note of papers on the issue which had been submitted by the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation, and recommended that States continue reporting on research concerning the safety of orbiting space objects with nuclear power sources. It recalled last year's decision by the Outer Space Committee that the Principles should remain in their current form until amendment and decided that, at the present time, revision of the Principles was not warranted.
Possibility of Third UNISPACE
The question of whether to hold a third UNISPACE had been debated in the Outer Space Committee since 1992, with some delegations expressing the view that such an event would contribute to increased international cooperation on space-related activities, and others voicing reservations about convening yet another large and costly international gathering without first setting its objectives and agenda.
In reviewing the question, the General Assembly last year had agreed that such a conference could be convened before the turn of the century, but that prior to recommending a date, there should be agreement on the agenda, venue and funding for the event. It had asked the Subcommittee to continue discussing the matter with the aim of completing a framework that would allow the Outer Space Committee to arrive at a final recommendation for consideration by the Assembly later this year.
The emerging consensus on the question is based on an event of restricted duration and scope that could cover the intended objectives. Most delegations supported the idea of an event lasting no longer than one week, but no venue was discussed. Two earlier such conferences were held in Vienna in 1968 and 1982.
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Remote Sensing
In the course of the discussion of remote sensing issues, delegations reviewed national and cooperative programmes in the field, including a growing number of programmes of technical cooperation between developing countries. The Subcommittee reiterated its view what remote sensing activities should take into account the need to provide appropriate and non-discriminatory assistance to developing countries. It also emphasized the importance of making remote sensing data and analysed information openly available to all countries at reasonable cost and in a timely manner.
The Subcommittee called for further international cooperation in the use of remote sensing satellites and stressed the need for the international community to use remotely sensed environmental data in efforts to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Geostationary Orbit
In relation to the geostationary orbit and space communications, some delegations advocated the creation of a sui generis regime to ensure non-discriminatory access by all States, particularly developing countries, and to prevent saturation of the orbit, which they regarded as a "limited natural resource". Others felt that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was adequate for ensuring the fair allocation of positions and frequencies in the orbit.
Opinions differed on whether equatorial countries had a stronger claim to access to it, since the geostationary orbit -- which is the only orbit that permits continuous contact between a satellite and a single ground station -- is situated over the equator. It was countered that geostationary satellites, like other satellites, were attracted by the entire planet and not by a gravitational phenomenon produced uniquely in the plane of the terrestrial equator.
Concern was also raised about the risks posed by space debris in the much-used orbit, and some delegations called for efforts to minimize the generation of such debris and to move satellites into disposal orbits before their power runs out.
Regional Centres
The Subcommittee reviewed progress made by the United Nations Space Applications Programme in an effort to establishment regional centres for space science and technology education in developing countries. The intention has been that once established each centre could expand and become part of a network that could carry out specific functions in each region. Their United
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Nations affiliation was to provide them with the necessary recognition and help attract donors and academic relationships with space-related institutions.
It was noted that the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific had been inaugurated last November and would begin its first education programme in April. Regarding the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Subcommittee was informed that Brazil and Mexico had reached agreement on all matters related to its establishment. Plans were also under way to set up two centres in Africa; Morocco would host a centre for French-speaking African countries and Nigeria for English-speaking ones. Discussions were in progress to set up a centre for the Middle East, which Syria had expressed interest in hosting, and in Europe, with offers from Greece, Romania and other countries to host it or serve as a node. There had also been a proposal to establish a centre for Central and Eastern Europe.
Other Issues Discussed
Other matters discussed during the session include the implications of space transportation systems for future activities in space, developments in space medicine, matters relating to planetary exploration, developments in astronomy and progress in the International Geosphere-Biosphere (Global Change) Programme.
Forthcoming Activities
The Subcommittee took note of the status of plans for United Nations workshops, training courses, symposia and conferences being held over the course of the year. These included the following: a United Nations/United States international conference on spin-off benefits of space technology to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 9 to 12 April; a United Nations/ESA workshop on microwave remote-sensing applications to be held in Manila, 22 to 26 April; a United Nations/Sweden international training course on remote- sensing education for educators to be held in Stockholm from 6 May to 14 June; and a United Nations/Chile/ESA regional workshop on space technology for disaster prevention and mitigation to be held in Santiago from 1 to 5 July.
Planned for later in the year are a United Nations/Austria/ESA symposium on the development and dissemination of space technology to be held in Graz, Austria, from 2 to 5 September; a United Nations/ESA workshop on basic space science, to be held in Bonn from 9 to 13 September; a United Nations/INTA/ESA international conference on small satellite missions, to be held in Madrid from 9 to 13 September; a United Nations/IAF/ESA workshop on the use of space technology for education, to be held in Beijing from 3 to 6 October; and a second United Nations regional conference on space technology for sustainable development in Africa, to be held in South Africa from 4 to 8 November.
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Election of Chairman
At the beginning of the session, the Subcommittee elected Dietrich Rex (Germany) as its Chairman, replacing John H. Carver (Australia), who retired last year after 25 years.
Participants
Representatives of the following member States attended the session: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.
Participating as observers were Algeria, Guatemala, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the League of Arab States.
Also attending the session were representatives of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as representatives of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), ESA, COSPAR, IAF and the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).
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