United Nations/China Cooperation on Utilization of the China Space Station
- Paper number
IAC-18,B3,3,2,x42887
- Author
Mr. Aimin NIU, Austria, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
- Coauthor
Mr. Luc St-Pierre, Austria, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
- Coauthor
Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Austria, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
- Year
2018
- Abstract
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has the mandate to promote international cooperation and capacity building in space science, technology and its applications in the world. The Space2030 Agenda stresses the role of UNOOSA as a capacity-builder, a facilitator and a bridge-builder to work with Member States under the pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy to exert the role of space as a driver of sustainable development. Under the pillar of space accessibility, the “Access to Space” initiative, built upon, among others, the United Nations Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI), is aimed at broadening access to space and bringing benefits of space to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HSTI was launched by UNOOSA in 2010. It is aimed to involve more countries in activities related to human spaceflight and space exploration, and to increase the benefits from the outcome of such activities through international cooperation, contributing to making space exploration a truly international effort. As part of HSTI, UNOOSA signed agreements in 2016 with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) concerning cooperation on utilization of China Space Station (CSS). Under this agreement, China is offering opportunities for UNOOSA to invite scientists from around the world to fly their experiments on board CSS, and invite astronauts/payload engineers from other countries to execute joint flight missions with Chinese astronauts on board CSS. The first Announcement of Opportunity (AO) inviting space experiments on board CSS will be publicised early this year. Opportunities, available on-board resources including space experiments racks, general support racks, experiments facilities and exposed platforms in three modalities will be presented in details. Governmental and non-profit organizations as well as private enterprises with scientific orientation from Member States of the United Nations are welcome to apply for their space experiments on board CSS by developing their own or using Chinese payloads. Latest information on applications to the AO and their selection results will be presented as appropriate. The “United Nations/China Cooperation on Utilization of the China Space Station” is being jointly implemented by UNOOSA and CMSA. Since it provides scientists from around the world with an opportunity to conduct their own experiments on board the CSS, it is an innovative and forward-looking initiative to open space exploration activities to all nations and to create a new paradigm in building capabilities in space science and technology.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,B3,3,2,x42887.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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