Towards a United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative

Paper number

IAC-08.B4.1.3

Author

Dr. Werner R. Balogh, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Austria

Coauthor

Prof. Hans Haubold, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Austria

Coauthor

Prof. Mazlan Othman, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Austria

Year

2008

Abstract

The United Nations Programme on Space Applications was launched in 1971 to assist Member States of the United Nations, and among them in particular the developing countries, with the establishment of indigenous capacities in the use of space technology and its applications for economic and social development. 

The Programme, implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), contributes to promoting the benefits of space-based solutions through a range of activities. The steadily growing numbers of space-using countries and regional and international frameworks for space cooperation are proof that space technology and its applications are no longer considered as exotic, lavish tools only available to a limited number of countries, but are today universally accepted as essential components of public infrastructures and increasingly integrated into operational policy and decision making processes.

Taking into account these developments and building on many years of experiences with the Programme on Space Applications, UNOOSA is considering the launch of a new initiative focussing on basic space technology. Preliminarily titled as the United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative (UNBSTI), it shall further promote the operational use of space-based solutions and shall take account of the increasing sophistication of space using countries and emerging space nations, in particular in the academic and possibly also in the private sector. 

While UNBSTI could address a broader range of space technologies and applications and associated cooperation opportunities, including those related to basic space science, to the research on orbital platforms or possibly even to future exploration strategies, the space and ground segments of small satellite missions and their applications will initially be at its core. In particular CanSat and CubeSat type platforms are considered to be well suited for building an early space technology capacity. Past recommendations and lessons learned from the series of United Nations/International Academy of Astronautics Workshops on Small Satellites in the Service of Developing Countries will also be an important input for planning the initiative.

The paper informs about the early considerations in preparing the UNBSTI, and discusses the potential for a value-adding role the United Nations could play with such an initiative. 

Abstract document

IAC-08.B4.1.3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B4.1.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.