Technical programme

E3.1. International cooperation in using space for sustainable development: The “Space2030” agenda

As the societal benefits of space technologies and applications are growing, the international community has increasingly shifted its attention to their contributions to the global agendas on sustainability and development, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this regard, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) has decided to develop a “Space2030” agenda and its implementation plan. This session provides the opportunity to discuss the agenda as finalized at COPUOS 2021, its implementation, especially how international cooperation in space activities can contribute to these objectives.

E3.2. The future of space exploration and innovation

Space exploration missions and plans have been emerging around the world, targeting different destinations from LEO, to the Moon and Mars, and with an increasing participation of new public and private actors. The session will focus on the current plans of future exploration missions of various space exploration stakeholders and will provide a forum to reflect on the trends and present the latest developments in the field.

E3.3. Space Economy Session – A focus on space sustainable operations and the role of governments l to stimulate sustainable economic development for both in space and on earth.

Economic motivations towards space sustainability Space sustainability will be a theme and a topic of concern for the International Astronautical Congress this year. This session will prioritize papers addressing the economics of sustainability. Sustainability may refer to the space environment itself, such as debris in orbits or on celestial bodies, the allocation of spectrum, or the Earth’s environment and related climate issues involving space activities. Examples of more specific economic topics should involve identifiable objectives of sustainability such as: government funded R&D and specific programs incentives or regulatory actions involving private sector space initiatives, cost-benefit analyses, and quantification of risk and impact assessments of space activities. Impacts from such programs on the Earth are also important elements of economic studies of space sustainability.

E3.4. Assuring a Safe, Secure and Sustainable Environment for Space Activities

Space launches from Earth have long been the defining technical and legal qualification for states and other entities desiring to engage in the exploration and utilization of the outer space region. Representing a hard-won scientific and technological achievement, space launches are also the basis for assigning legal jurisdiction, supervision, and liability to the launching state under the five foundational outer space treaties. Rapidly growing numbers of non-governmental commercial space companies and facilities are soon moving space launch operations to the Moon and other celestial bodies, augmenting and in some cases replacing governmental space launch entities. Prospects for an extensive expansion of deep space explorations on the Moon, asteroids, and planets will include a greatly diversified range of space launch technologies and regulatory regimes. Space exploration will require both crewed and uncrewed launches, while sample return missions from asteroids, planets, and their moons will also feature dynamically evolving technologies as well as concerns for contamination and environmental protection. This 37th Joint IAA IISL Roundtable will examine the scientific, technical, legal, and regulatory aspects of space launches from celestial bodies.

E3.5-E7.6. 38th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable: "Cyberspace Security in Outer Space: Scientific, Technical and Legal Dimensions of a Dilemma"

(Invited papers only, please do not submit abstracts as these will be rejected) Outer space and cyberspace are realms opened to human exploration and exploitation through scientific discovery, technological innovation and increasingly, commercial application. Spacecraft operating in near-earth orbital regions or in inter-planetary expanses rely on forms of electronic communication, often referred to as “cyberspace” to carry out their missions. Best practices and usage norms to ensure safe passage through outer space have evolved as direct counterparts to the rules and norms governing use of the radio spectrum and telecommunications technologies to avoid harmful, mission-endangering radio frequency interference. The technological shift to Internet-based telecommunications infrastructures is exposing space-based systems to terrestrial cyber-disruptions that are challenging long-standing technological practices and governance regimes in outer space. On-going earthbound military hostilities employing cyber-disruptions rooted in Internet network architectural vulnerabilities are already disabling or interfering with space-based communications. This IAA-IISL Roundtable will discuss whether scientific/technological trends as well as governance institutions and rules are sufficient to ensure space activities and systems may operate in a setting of cyber-security and not cyber-disruption.

E3.6. Space Sector’s Commercial Transformation: Procurement Opportunities and Financial Transparency

The space sector is experiencing a significant shift towards commercialization. Private companies and investors are taking on roles that were once solely the domain of government Space Agencies, such as satellite launches, human space flights or in the future, space resource mining. This shift is opening doors to new economic opportunities and attracting investments from various industries. Simultaneously, space agencies are reassessing their procurement practices to encourage competition and involvement of the private sector. Traditional procurement models are being re-evaluated to foster innovation and cost-effectiveness. Initiatives such as public-private partnerships are examples of procurement approaches that aim to leverage private industry capabilities. As the space sector increasingly embraces commercialization and private sector involvement, there is a greater focus on financial transparency and accountability. To ensure that funds are utilized efficiently and in line with established regulations, regular audits by government agencies [and stakeholders] are becoming more critical to assess financial practices and avoid mismanagement of resources. The purpose of this session is to discuss the procurement and financial consequences of an increasing shift towards commercialization and to exchange on measures taken to ensure transparency and accountability from Industry and Space Agencies’ perspectives. The session will be divided in two parts: the first being a panel discussion on the topic and the second part in which authors are invited to provide abstracts dealing with the subject.

E3.IP. Interactive Presentations - 37th IAA SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE POLICY, REGULATIONS AND ECONOMICS

Authors with an abstract accepted for an interactive presentation will be asked to prepare slides and display them for the duration of the congress on plasma screens. Authors will be assigned to interactive sessions in which they must be near plasma screens to engage in interactive discussions with other congress attendees.

E3.IPB. Interactive Presentations - 37th IAA SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE POLICY, REGULATIONS AND ECONOMICS

E3.LBA. Late Breaking abstracts (LBA)