Space Foundation Participates In UNCOPUOS

The Space Foundation recently participated in the 46th Session of the Science and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Meeting in Vienna, the committee considered a variety of agenda items including space debris, space-system-based disaster management support, recent developments in global navigation satellite systems, the use of nuclear power sources in outer space, near-Earth objects, and matters related to remote sensing of the Earth by satellite including applications for developing countries and monitoring the environment. Additionally, the committee heard technical presentations and reports on national efforts.

The Space Foundation participates in UNCOPUOS activities as a Private Sector Advisor to the United States delegation. The Foundation joined the State Department in hosting a well-attended reception for all delegates and members of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs secretariat.

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was set up by the General Assembly in 1959 to review the scope of international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, to devise programs in this field to be undertaken under United Nations auspices, to encourage continued research and the dissemination of information on outer space matters, and to study legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space. With 69 members and numerous observers, it is one of the largest UN committees.

This article is part of Space Watch: March 2009 (Volume: 8, Issue: 3).