Space Symposium
Rose Calls for Code of Conduct
Written by: developer
Featured Speaker Frank A. Rose, deputy assistant secretary for space and defense policy, U.S. Department of State, spoke to the 28th National Space Symposium audience about the need for a stronger global code of conduct for space. Citing the increasing congestion in space, he said the international space community needs to adopt "pragmatic and constructive" measures to avoid accidents and damage to the environment.
Acknowledging that the growth in the number of spacefaring nations challenges space security, Rose frequently cited orbital debris, the risk of spacecraft collision and historical accidental and deliberate acts a consistent theme in his remarks. He said the U.S. is working to improve space security with an international code of conduct agreement that improves awareness and gives increased transparency to space activities. According to Rose, the International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities would establish best practices and "rules of the road" to encourage all nations to act responsibility.
Rose assured the audience that the U.S. government would keep private industry and national security needs front and center when developing the code, saying that it is envisioned as a non-binding agreement that posing no legal obligations on the U.S.
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This article is part of Space Watch: May 2012 (Volume: 11, Issue: 5).