Res Communis

Disasters Charter: Volcano in Chile

by Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz with the blog faculty

Disasters Charter Activation:

Volcano in Chile

Type of Event: Volcano

Location of Event: Volcano Chaitén, Chile

Date of Charter Activation: 24/02/2009

Charter Requestor: SIFEM

Description of Event

Chaitén volcano spewed a vast cloud of ash as well as gas and molten rock on Thursday in a partial collapse of its cone. Chilean authorities evacuated 160 people from the area.

North Korean Spokesperson on Satellite Launch

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

From Korean Central News Agency of the DPRK:

Preparations for Launch of Experimental Communications Satellite in Full Gear
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) — A spokesman for the Korean Committee of Space Technology issued the following statement on Feb. 24:

Outer space is an asset common to mankind and its use for peaceful purposes has become a global trend.

The DPRK has steadily pushed ahead with researches and development for putting satellites into orbit by its own efforts and technology since the 1980s, pursuant to its government’s policy for the development of space and its peaceful use.

In this course, scientists and technicians of the DPRK registered such great success as putting its first experimental satellite Kwangmyongsong-1 into orbit at one try in August 1998.

Over the past decade since then a dynamic struggle has been waged to put the nation’s space science and technology on a higher level, bringing about signal progress in the field of satellite launch.

The DPRK envisages launching practical satellites for communications, prospecting of natural resources and weather forecast, etc. essential for the economic development of the country in a few years to come and putting their operation on a normal footing at the first phase of the state long-term plan for space development.

The preparations for launching experimental communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 by means of delivery rocket Unha-2 are now making brisk headway at Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground in Hwadae County, North Hamgyong Province.

When this satellite launch proves successful, the nation’s space science and technology will make another giant stride forward in building an economic power.

Outer Space Scientific and Technical Subcommittee Concludes its 46th Session in Vienna

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

From the UN Information Service:

Outer Space Scientific and Technical Subcommittee Concludes its 46th Session in Vienna

VIENNA, 23 February (UN Information Service) – The adoption of the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space was in the focus of the 46th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which took place in Vienna, Austria, from 9 to 20 February 2008. The threat of near-Earth object impact and space debris mitigation were also key agenda items.

Other topics of discussion included a review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), space-system-based disaster management support, recent developments in Global Navigation Satellite Systems, the use of the geostationary orbit, International Heliophysical Year and matters related to remote sensing of the Earth by satellites, including applications for developing countries and monitoring of the Earth’s environment. On the first day of the session, a symposium was held on the role of earth observation satellites in promoting understanding of and addressing climate change concerns.

Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space

The Joint Expert Group, established by the Subcommittee and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met during this session of the Subcommittee to finalize the draft Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications In Outer Space, which was then adopted. The Safety Framework will now be transmitted to the IAEA Secretariat for consideration and agreement by the IAEA Commission on Safety Standards during its meeting to be held in Vienna from 22 to 24 April 2009.

Near-Earth objects

Potential dangers from near-Earth objects (NEOs) and international response to the threat of NEO impact were considered by the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee considered reports from Member States and international organizations on their NEO activities, including space missions, search for NEOs and their tracking, as well as plans for future activities. The draft proposal of the Action Team on NEOs for NEO threat mitigation was discussed, and the Subcommittee decided that more work would be done intersessionally to develop draft recommendations for the international response to the threat of NEO impacts, to be presented for the Subcommittee’s consideration at its forty-seventh session in 2010.

Space Debris

The Subcommittee considered information received from Member States on national research on space debris, the safety of space objects with nuclear power sources on board and problems relating to their collision with space debris. Some States were implementing space debris mitigation measures consistent with the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and/or the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, while other States had developed their own space debris mitigation standards based on those guidelines. The Subcommittee agreed that Member States, in particular space-faring countries, should pay greater attention to the problem of collisions of space objects, including those with nuclear power sources (NPS) on board, with space debris and to other aspects of space debris, including its re-entry into the atmosphere.

It was noted that a collision involving an active commercial Iridium 33 satellite and an inactive Cosmos-2251 satellite had occurred in low-Earth orbit (LEO) on 10 February 2009. The Subcommittee was informed that the Space Surveillance Network of the United States was tracking about 700 pieces of space debris in two separate clouds that had resulted from that collision.

Space-System-Based Disaster Management Support

The Subcommittee heard the report on the implementation of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) activities for 2008 as well as other initiatives and long-term activities of various Member States and space agencies in the area of disaster management. The UN-SPIDER programme, which is implemented by UNOOSA, is coordinating the establishment of a network of regional support offices in Algeria, Iran, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa and Ukraine.

Recent developments in global navigation satellite systems

Under this new regular agenda item, the Subcommittee considered latest developments in the field of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and the benefits that the use of GNSS brings to the world’s economies and societies. It was noted with appreciation that the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) had been established on a voluntary basis as a forum to promote cooperation in civil satellite-based positioning, navigation, timing and value-added services, as well as the compatibility and interoperability of global navigation satellite systems. The ICG decided that the regional centres for space science and technology education, affiliated to the United Nations, would act as ICG information centres.

United Nations Programme on Space Applications

Member States also reviewed the activities of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2008 and the activities planned for this year. Within the Programme on Space Applications, UNOOSA plans to organize several workshops in 2009, aimed at disseminating knowledge of how to bring the benefits of space technology to everyone. The topics of workshops include: satellite-aided search and rescue; applications of global navigation satellite systems; small satellite technologies for developing countries; the use of space technology for analysing and predicting climate change; integrated space technology applications for sustainable development in the mountain areas; basic space science and space law. The Programme works to improve the use of space science and technology for the economic and social development of all nations, in particular developing countries.

International Heliophysical Year 2007

The Subcommittee concluded its consideration of agenda item on International Heliophysical Year and agreed to consider, beginning at its forty-seventh session, a new agenda item entitled “International Space Weather Initiative” under a three-year workplan. Aside from bright auroras, there are damaging effects of space weather, which could adversely affect our societal infrastructure that depends on satellites, electrical power and communication. As society’s reliance on technological systems grows, so does our vulnerability to space weather.

Membership

The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, like COPUOS, its parent committee, has the following 69 Member States: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela and Viet Nam.

The following intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations have permanent observer status with COPUOS: African Organization of Cartography and Remote Sensing, Association of Space Explorers, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, Committee on Space Research, Regional Centre for Remote Sensing of the North African States, Eurisy, European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, European Space Agency, European Space Policy Institute, European Telecommunications Satellite Organization, International Academy of Astronautics, International Astronautical Federation, International Astronomical Union, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, International Institute of Space Law, International Law Association, International Mobile Satellite Organization, Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, International Space University, National Space Society, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water, Secure World Foundation, Space Generation Advisory Council, Spaceweek International Association and The Planetary Society.

List of Approved Non-Routine Earth Station Antennas

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

The FCC has launched a site with a list of List of Approved Non-Routine Earth Station Antennas :

List of Approved Non-Routine Earth Station Antennas

Pursuant to the Part 25 Earth Station Fifth Report and Order, the International Bureau (Bureau) provides the List of Approved Non-Routine Earth Station Antennas below. Specifically this website lists non-routine earth station antennas licensed for use by one or more U.S. earth station operators since March 15, 2005. For more on the procedures for non-routine earth stations, see 47 C.F.R. § 25.220.

Earth station applicants proposing to use an antenna on this list will no longer need to attach antenna radiation plots as an exhibit to their applications, as required by Section 25.132 (b)(3) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 25.132 (b)(3). Rather, they need only to provide an attachment to their applications citing the particular non-routine earth station antenna they plan to use, and an application file number and call sign of a license in which that type of non-routine antenna has been approved, and an application file number and call sign of a license in which that type of non-routine antenna has been approved. Barring any countervailing considerations, the Bureau will consider grant of the application for the non-routine antenna, providing that the applicant proposes the same kinds of services as the operator of the previously authorized antenna, under the same or substantially similar operating conditions, and in some cases, plans to communicate with the same satellites.

This website was created pursuant to the following authority, and earth station applicants using this website must comply with the requirements set forth therein: 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review — Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part 25 of the Commission’s Rules Governing the Licensing of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Earth Stations and Space Stations, Fifth Report and Order, IB Docket No. 00-248, 20 FCC Rcd 5666, 5690-91 (para. 59) (2005) (Part 25 Earth Station Fifth Report and Order); International Bureau Establishes Website for List of Approved Non-Routine Earth Station Antennas, Public Notice, DA 09-425 (released February 23, 2009).

Statement of Treaties and International Agreements Registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

Statement of Treaties and International Agreements Registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat documents for October through December 2008 have been posted at the UN’s Treaty site. Space related notices include two accessions by Hungary:

October 2008 (ST/LEG/SER.A/740):

No. 24265. Multilateral
Convention for the establishment of a European organisation for the
exploitation of meteorological satellites (“EUMETSAT”). Geneva,
24 May 1983
Accession
Hungary
Deposit of instrument with the Government of Switzerland: 9
October 2008
Date of effect: 9 October 2008
Registration with the Secretariat of the United Nations:
Switzerland, 20 October 2008

December 2008 (ST/LEG/SER.A/742):

No. 26373. Multilateral
Protocol on the privileges and immunities of the European
Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
(EUMETSAT). Darmstadt, 1 December 1986
Accession
Hungary
Deposit of instrument with the Government of Switzerland: 7
November 2008
Date of effect: 7 December 2008
Registration with the Secretariat of the United Nations:
Switzerland, 4 December 2008