How To Raise The Space Sustainability Consciousness Of Emerging Space Actors
- Paper number
IAC-07-E3.2.09
- Author
Mr. Nicolas Peter, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), Austria
- Coauthor
Dr. Wolfgang Rathgeber, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), Austria
- Year
2007
- Abstract
This paper will address elements needed to ensure long-term sustainability of space activities, as well as mechanisms supporting the development of policy guidelines necessary to raise the space sustainability consciousness of emerging space actors. Space activities have increasingly been recognized as key enabler for sustainability. However, as a basic prerequisite to support sustainability efforts, space activities have to be designed in a sustainable way themselves. This includes among others minimizing the creation of space debris in key orbits, avoiding spectrum interference by complying with the standards and rules of the International Telecommunications Union, respecting allocated orbital slots, following space traffic management guidelines and limiting polluting or destructive activities in space. To the present date, only major space countries, mainly from the North, participate in interagency/international bodies aiming at “responsible” space utilization. This is striking because the smaller and emerging space actors might be the first ones to be hit by the aforementioned threats. To ensure long-term sustainability of space activities, new core groups consisting of space actors particularly affected by, or affecting space sustainability, need to be set up. Their task should be to devise consensual guidelines ensuring sustainability of space activities. Consisting of a limited number of nations, these clusters are expected to be more effective than existing large bodies and structures encompassing all space players. They should allow to pave the way for the rest of the space community. However, these core groups need to include both space faring countries and newcomers. Engaging newcomers in space in the early phase of the development of future directives and code of conduct rules will ensure that they comply with these standards. This is essential to ensure long-term secure use of space for all. A greater involvement of these countries in international fora has therefore to be put forward, as in the long run, this should result in enhanced North-South cooperation with mutual benefits.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E3.2.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.