Notes from the DPI/NGO BRIEFING on Preserving Outer Space for Peaceful Use. (Space Week was October 4-10, 2005.). Thanks to Caroline for this writeup.
1. Dr. Sergio Camacho, Director, UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, UN Secretariat: The Secretariat for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has a legal subcommittee which deals with universal space law treaties, liabilities and responsibilities, and the maintenance of a registry. The technical subcommittee covers the benefits of outer space for peaceful and useful uses and is concerned with the cleaning up of space debris; at present, 40-50 countries are involved in space laundering. The First Committee holds workshops and international and regional discussions on space development and launches new projects. There are no funds for the national level.
2. Egyptian Ambassador to the UN, Maged Abdelfattal Abdeazis (sp?): Last week Egypt and Sri Lanka presented a Resolution to the First Committee of the General Assembly against the weaponization of space, for international peace and security and the prevention of the arms race. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty was meant to benefit all nations: Article 4 proscribes nuclear weapons in space; Article 6 emphasizes national responsibility; Article 7 covers liability for damage to one nation by another (1972 Liabilities Convention); Article 9 is concerned with interference with peaceful uses. Some argue that a new treaty is not necessary. The purpose of the Egyptian and Sri Lankan Resolution this year deals with regional and sub-regional cooperation; nuclear and conventional disarmament are crucial.
3. Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN, Representative to the CD in Geneva and on the First Committee. Sri Lanka favors the concept of the global commons and international law for future generations. Since 1982, the prevention of the weaponization of space has been on the CD agenda, but discussions have been blocked by the U.S.
4. Laura Grego, Union of Concerned Scientists: It is important to keep the use of outer space equitable and secure. As of May, 2005, there were the following operational space satellites: States Civil Civil/Military Military U.S. 195 116 73 Russia 25 22 34 China 20 8 Rest of World 260 12 18
The U.S. has proposed a new military mission for outer space, but outer space satellites and ballistic missile defence are not suited for space and bodyguard satellites will not protect space satellites. In 1996, US Space Policy stated that the U.S. will maintain the option to develop, operate, and maintain space control capabilities with anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. My general conclusion is that the U.S. should make long-range plans to pursue diplomatic action to insure safety.
