REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE
GENERA~ ASSEMBLY
OFFICIAL RECORDS: FORTY·SECOND SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 20 (A/42/20)
UNITED NATIONS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL RECORDS: FORTY·SECOND SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 20 (A/42120)
UNITED NATiONS New York, 1987 I\OTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composcd of capital ICllcrs combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indi::ates u reference to a United Nations document. (Originala English)
(10 July 1987)
CONTENTS Paragraphs Page
I" INTRODUCTION •• "•• "••••••••••• 11 ••••••• " ••••••••• " ••••••••• "• 1 - 15 1
11. RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 16 - 97 4
A. Ways and means of maintaining outer sprce f~r peaceful purposes •••• "•••• "••••••• " " •••••••••••• 16 - 24 4
8. Report of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee on the work of its twenty-fourth session
Implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 25 - 72 6
1. Second united Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space ••••••••••••••••••• 31 - 50 6
2. Remote sensing of the Earth by satellites .••••••••• 51 - 55 11
3. Use of nuclear power sources in outer space •••••••• 56 - 60 11
4. Space tranuportation systems •••••••••• ' •••••••••••• 61 - 63 12
5. Examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the geostationary orbit •••••••••••••• 64 - 66 12
6. Matters relating to life-sciences, including space medicine, progress in the geosphere-biosphere (global change) programme, matters relating to planetary exploration, matters relating to astronomy 67 - 69 13
7. The themes fixed for special attention of the '987 a~d 1988 sessions of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 70 - 72 13
C. Report of the Legal Sub-Committee on the work of its twenty-sixth session ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 73 - 87 13
1. The elaboration of draft principl'.8 relevant to the use of nuclear power sources in outer space •••••••• '17 - 80 14
2. Matters relating to the definition and delimitation of outer space and to the character and ~tilization of the geostationary orbit, including consideration or ways and means to ensure the rational and equitable use of the qeostationary orbit without prejudice to the role of the International Telecommunication Union •.•.•••.••••.•••.••••.•••••• 81 - 84 15
-iii- CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs pa~e
3. Consideration of the choice at a new item for the agenda of the Legal Sub-Committee, including the proposals made by the oup of 77 and others, with a view to making a reconunendation to the Committee on the Poaceful Uses of Outer Space in order to reach consensus during the C~nmittee's thirtieth session ) . 85 - 87 15
D. Other matters ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 88 - 91 16
E. Future work 92 - 95 17
F. Schedule of work of the Committee and its 3ubsidiary bad iea •..••••.•.•...•.•••.••.•••..••..•••••••••••••••• 96 18
G. Tribute to the Vice-Chairman •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 97 18
Annexes
I. Opening statement by the Chairman of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 19
II. Recommendations of the Working Group of the Whole of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 27
Ill. Ways and means of maint~ining outer space for peaceful purposes: working paper submitted by Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, HUIo IV. Ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes: strengthening the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: ~orking paper submitted by Australia, Belgium, the Federal. Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the united States of America under agenda i tern 4 •••••••••••••••• fl •••••••••••••• ,. • , •••••••••••••••••••••• • 31 V. Compromise proposal on the question related to the definition and delimitation of outer spaces workinq paper submitted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republica under agenda item 6 •••••••••••••••••••••••• 32 VI. Report of the Leqal Sub-Committee on the work of its twenty-sixth session: working paper submitted by Canada, France, the Netherlands and Sweden under agenda item 6 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••..•• 33 -iv- I, INTRODUCTION 1. The Committee on the Peaceful ~ses of Outer Space held its thirtieth session at Uni~ed Nations H&adquartere from 1 to tl June 1987. The officers o( the Committee were the followinq: Chairman: Mr. Peter Jankowitscn (Austria) Raggorteur: Mr. "enrique Rodriaues Valle (Brazil) In the absence ot the Chairman and of a Vice-Chairman, the 301st meetinQ of the Committee W&S chaired bv Mr. Gheorahe Tinea (Romania). The summary records of the Committe6's meetinqs are contain~d in documents A/AC.10S/SR.294-307. Meetinas of sUbsidiarv bodies 2. Th" Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee held its twenty-fourth session at United N.\tiona Headquarters from 17 to 27 Februarv 1987 under the chairmanship ot Mr. J. H. Carver (Australia). The report of the Sub-Committee was issued as document A/AC.10S/383 and Corr.l. 3. The Le~al Sub-Committee held its twenty-sixth session at United Natione Headquarters from 16 March to 3 April 1987 under. the chairmanship of Mr. l~dek Han~l (Czechoslovakia). The repart ot the Sub-Committee was issued as documfmt A/AC.~.OS/38S. The summary records of the Sub-Committee's meetinas are contained in d~1uments A/AC.105/C.2/SR.451-479. 4. At its openina meetinq, the Committee adopted the followinQ aaenda: 1. Adoption of the aqenda. 2. Statement nv the Chairman. 3. General exchallQe of views. 4. Wavs and means of maintainina outer space tor peaceful purposes. 5. Report of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee on the work of its twentY-fourth session. 6. Report ot the LJaal Sub-Committ~e on the work of its twenty-sixth session. 7. Implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Poacetul Uses of Outer Space. 8. Other matters. 9. Report ot the Committee to the General Assemblv. MembershAe and attendance 5. In accordance with General Assemblv resolutions 1721 E (XVI) of 20 December 1961, 3-182 (XXVIII) of III December 1973, 32/196 8 of 20 December 1977 and 35/16 of 3 November 1980, the Committ.ee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was -1- composed at the fnllowim:l Member States: Albania, Aruentina, Australia, Auntria, Belqium, 8enin, Brazil, Bulqaria, Burkina Faeo, Cameraon, Canaria, Chad, Chi lp., China, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, Euvpt, France, German Democratic Republic, Germanv, Federal Republic of, Greece, flunQarv, Inriia, Inrionesia, Ira'! /Islamic Republic ofI, Iraq, Italv, Japan, Kenva, L~.I.lanon, Mexico, MonQolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Niqer, Niqeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Sierra l.eone, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Union ot Soviet Socialist Republics, United KinQdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Unitp.d States of America, Uruquav, Venezuela, Viet Nam Jnd YUQoslavia. 6. At its 294th, 301st, 303rd and 304th rueetinQs, the Committee decided to invite, at their request, the representatives of CUba, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the United Republic of Ta"~ania, Peru and the Holv See to attend the thirtieth session of the Committee and address it, as appropriate, on the understandinQ that this would be ,~ ~out pre1udice to further requests of this nature and that it would not involve any decision of the Committee concerninQ status. 7, ~he representative of the Department of Technical Co-operation tor Development of the Secret3riat attended the seasion. 8, Representatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITUl and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orqanization llINESCOl also attended the session. 9, ~epresentatives of the European Space Aqencv, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAAl of the International COl:<-'cU of Scientific Unions (ICSlJl, the International Astronautical Federation (IAFl, the International Telecommunications Satellite OrQanization (INTELSATl and the International Maritime Satellite OrQanization (IN~RSATl aleo attended the session. 10. A list of representatives attendinQ the session is containen in document A/AC.I05/XXX/INF/l. 11. At the openinQ of the session, at the 294th meetinQ, the Chairman of the Committee m~de a statement revlewinQ the work of the Committee's subsiolarv bodies and outlininq the work of the Committee. He reviewed the scientific and technolOQical advanceS achieved in the tield of peacefUl eXPloration of outer space in the past year and expressed the hope that the Committee would orQanize new and innovative forms of international co-operation for the benefit of all nations wiahinQ to make aood use of outer space technoloQY. The text of the Chairman's statement is annexed to the oresent report (annex 11. 12. At its 294th to 298th meetinQs, from 1 to 3 June 19ij7, the Committee held a aeneral exchanQe of views, in the course of which statements were made bv the representatives of Araentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulqaria, Canada, Chile, China. Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, EQvpt, France, the German Democratic Republic. Germanv, Feneral Republic of, HunQarv, India, Inrionesia, Italv, Ja~an, Mexico, MonQolia, the NetherlandS, NiQeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Sweden, the llnion of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kinadom ot Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, llruauav, Viet Nam anti YUQOSlavla (see A/AC.105/SR.294-2981. -2- 13. The ropreA~~tQtlves of IUT, the European Space AQency, COSPA", IAF. INMM~SAT and INTELSAT, as well as the United N3tions Expert on Space Appl1cationa, a100 mane statements (see A/AC.105/SR.294-296. 300 ann 302). 14. Our inq the session, a special presentation was made by Dr. ,Joseph IIcwman, Director of Mater i.ais Character i zation I nstrumentation Section. LanQ1ey l(Ooea n:h C~nter of the United States National Aeronautics and Space AdminiBtration (N~qAI. entitled "Spin-:>tfs fl:om space proqrammes: u1traRonic technolnqy". 1~. After consirierina the various items before it, the Committee, at its 307th meetinq on 11 June 1987, adopteri its report to the General ABoemb1y containin~ thlt recommendations and decisions set out in the paraQraphR I>cl low. -3- 11. RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS A. wa¥s and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful eurpoaes (aqenda item 4) 16. In accordance with paraqraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 41/64 of 3 December 1986. the Committee continued its consideration, as a matter of prior ity, of ways lmd h:""'ns of mainl:.aininQ outer space for peaceful purposes. 11. The Committf!e recOQnized the need to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes and aQreed that it could make important contributions to that end. The Committee furthermore aqreed that an effective way lo maintain outer space for psa.c"ful lJurposes was to strenQtI".en international co-operation in the exploration and peacefuL uses of outer space. This could be done throuqh multilatpral, reQional and bilateral co-operative activities and throuqh the promotion of specific proiects to assist all countries, in particular developinq countries. 18. A workinQ paper (A/AC.105/L.165) (see annex III below) was submitt~d by some dftleQations, in which thev called upon the Committfte to make concrete proposals wi th a view to conductinQ a study on tile needs of States wi t"l respect to the use of space technoloaY for broad international ~o-operation. They proposed in that workinQ paper that the Secretary-General could transmit a q~estionnaire to Member States and, on the basis of the replies, prepare an analytical report on this question, possiblY with the assistance of an expert qroup. Other deleQation~ did not aaree with the relevance of workina paper A/AC.I05/L.165 to aqenda item 4, and pointer! out that a similar proDOsal had been introduced at the t~entv-ninth session of the COlllmittee which did I.~l: find consensus. 19. Some deleaations pointed out the proDOsals t~at had been made for the establishment of a world spt- ~rQanizdtion and for th~ creation of an international centre for loi~t research and technolOQy for the benefit of developinQ countries and the convenin~ Jf an internationa~ conference to consider problems of outer space in their entirety and to draft a prospective plan for wide"sc:ale international co-operation. Other delel"ations expressed the View that no new international me~hanisms were neede~. Moreover, they observed that such propOsals were not relevant to aQenda item 4, which should, instead, be centred on revitalizinQ and strenQtheninQ the Committee. Other deleQations assumed that t~e question of revitalizina and strenathenina the Committee had no bearina whatsoever on aaenda ite. 4. 20. Some deleaations express~d the view that the Committee should complement the work beina done in bilateral and multilateral forums towards the prevention of the extenslon of the arms race into outer space. Thev were of the view that the Committee awl its two Sub-Committees han expertise in that area and consequentlY could pcov!de substantive inpuc to assist the discussions and neQotiations in the Conference on Disarmament. Other deleaations exprensen the view that rlisarmament questions did not fall within the competence of the Committee. TheY pointed out that the question of the prevention of an arms race in outer space was properly d matter for the First Commlttee of the General AssemblY and tor the Conference on Disarmam"nt. -4- 21. Same d~leQations referred to the Mexico Declaration adopted at lxtapa on 7 AUQust 1986 by the heads of State or Government of ArQentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Swoden and the United Republic of Tanzania, whereby the demand was reiterated for the prevention of the arms race in outer space, and the leaders of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were urQed to aQree to a cessation of anti-satellite weapona testinQ so as to facilitate the siQninQ of an international treaty on the banninQ of such weapons (see A/41/S18-S/18277, annex Il. Some of those deleQations raised the possibility of amendinQ the Treaty 011 Principles GoverninQ the Antivities of States in the Explorat'~n and Use of Outer Space, includinQ the Moon and Other Celestial Bodins IGeneral Assembly resolution 2222 (XXII, annexl of 1967, so that article IV of that Treaty would cover all types of weapons and not merelY nuclear weapons and other kinds of weapons of mass destruction. 22. Some deleQations reiterated the y~ew that the best way far the Committee to contribute to maintaininQ auter space for peaceful purposes was further to promote internationa~ co-operation by revita1izinQ its work and that of its sub-committees. Same uf these deleQations submitted a workinQ paper IA/AC.IOS/L.l66) (see annex IV below), in which - on the basis of what they considered to reflect a mytual understandinQ as outlined in paraQraph 21 of the report of the Committee on its twenty-ninth session !I - they called upon the Committee to establish a workinQ Qroup to examine the orQanizat10n and methods of work of the Committee best suited to advancinQ its work. They attached a very hiQh priority to makinQ the Committee function as efficiently and effectively as possible and urQed all deleQ~tions to share that priority. Other deleQations felt that the current Committee procedures were adequate and that there was no need for such a warkinQ Qroup. the establishment of which was not referred to in the reflection of mutual understandinQ contained in paraQraph 21 of the report of the Committee an its twenty-ninth session. Moreover, they observed that the content of this proposal had no relation with item 4 of the aQenda. 23. Some deleQations pointed out that the ideas contained in the report of the Secretary-General (A/41/470 and Add.ll, Which reflected the views of some Member States reQardinQ the possibility of enhancina international co-operation in the field of preventinq ar. arms race in outer space and in the peaceful uses of outer space, 1ncludinQ the desirability of establishinQ relevant machinery for that purpose, were useful in considerina actions concerninQ this aQenda item. Other deleQations pointed out thAt those were First Committee documents prepared in response to a First Committee resolution and not relevant to the Committee. 24. The proposal was made that an item reQardinQ "spin-offs" from outer space praarammes be included in the Committee's aQenda. In the view of some deleaations, this proPOllal had no relatlonship at all to aaenda item 4 entitled "Wavs ano means of maintain~no outer apace for peaceful purposes". -5- 8. Report of the Scientific and Tet'.:hnicn 1 Sub-Commt ttea on tha work of its twenty-fourth session Implfllment.. L1on of the re~ommendations of the second tJniteci Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peac.eful lJseR of Outer Space (aQenda items 5 and 7) 25. The Committee conducted a ioint consideration of the items entitleci "Report at the Scientific and Technical SUb-Committee on the work of its twentv-tourth session" and "Implementation of the recommendationll of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Pe&~eful Usos of Outer Space". 26. The Committee took note with appreciatior of the report of the scientific and Technical Sub-Committee on the work of its twenty-fourth session (A/AC.105/383 and Corr.l) , coverinQ the results of its deliberations of the items assiQned to it ny the General Assembly in its resolution 41/64. The Com~ittoe further noted with satisfaction that, in accordance with As~emblv resolution 41/64, the Sub-Committee had Qiven priority consideration to the item "Implementation of the recomme/ldations of thE Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration ana Peaceful Uses of Outer Space" and had established a Workinq Group of the Whole to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations of the Second Uniteli Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 2/ under the chairmanship of Mr. Gast6n Lasarte (UrUQuav). - 27. The Committee endorsed the recommendations ot the WorkinQ Grouo of the Whole, as contained in paraQraphs 11-13 of its report (see A/AC.IU5/383 and Corr.l, annex 11). 28. Some deleQationR emphasized in particular thp. recommendation of the WorkinQ Gro'JP of the Whole containefl in paraQraph 11 (b) anci, in this context, emphasizad that the interests and the naflds of developinQ countries llhnuld be assessed. Other deleQations emphasized the importance of the recommendations ot the WorkinQ Grou~ contained in paraQraphs 12 /c), 13 (a) and 13 (~) of thf! rp-port /see annex 11 below) • 29. The Committee recommended that the WorkinQ Group ot the Whole should be reconvened the followinQ year to continue its work. 30. The Committee, while expressinQ its appreciation to all Governments that had made or expressed their intention to make contributionll towdrQS carrvinQ out the implementation ot the recommendations of the Second lJniteci Nations Conferer,ce on the EXPloration and Peaceful Uses ot Outer space, tl~k nota of the disappointment expresseo bv the developinQ countries at the lack of tinancial resources to implement these recommendations. 1. Second United Nations Conference on the ~xDloration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space la) United Nations Prooramme on Space Appl1r:ationn H. At tha outset of th'1! Committefl's df-!libflrations 0.1 this item, the Expert on Space I\oplicat.ions made a statement briefinQ the Committee on the various activities carried out or planned under the ProQramme Of' Sr)ace I\oplicatiolll.l durinu -6- the period 19b6-191111, l\nd he .1160 dealt with t.he recommendations of the Workina Group of the Whole, aa contained in annex 11 of the Sub-Committeo's repart (~/AC.lOS/3U3 and Corr.l). The Committee exprosspd its appreciation to the Expp.rt on Space Applications for the effective manner in ..'h1ch he had implemented the Procuamrne within thll l1mited tunds at his disPoAal. 32. The Committee took note of the PrOQra~me on space Applications, as set out in the report of the Sub-Committee. The Committee was pleased to note that further prOQreBB was beinQ made in the implementation of the Proaramme activities planned for 19117. )3. ReQarrlina the question of voluntary contributions bv Member States for the implementatillll of. the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Explor.Jtiorl and Peaceful UseD of Outer Space, tne Committee noteo1 with appreciation the announcement of a contribution of $5,000 from the Government of the Federal Republic of Niaeria in support of the Proaramme on Space ApPlications. 34. Some deleaations expressed diasatisfaction at the cutn in the reaular budaet of the Proaramme on Space Applications and asked tor uraent steps to be taken to ensure the financial aoundess of the Proaramme. (i) Lona-ranae fellowships for in-depth trainina 35. The Committp.e expressed its appreciation to the Governments of Austria, Brazl1, the German Democratic Republic and the USSR as well AS to the European Space Aaencv tor otferina fe\.lowships throuah the United Nations in 1986-1911') and for ran~wlnq their offers ot fellowships for 1987-19118. (li) Technical advisory services 36. Reaardina technical advisory services, the Committee noted that, in 1~86, the Proaramme had collaborated wlth the Government of China in its plans to establish a National Development Centre tor the ApPlication of Satellite Communications. In pddition, a mission to Africa was undertaken, on behalf of the United Nations Development Proaramme (lJNDPI, for consultations in respect of a remote sensina information proaralflme for the benefit ot Member States in the Economic C?mmission for Atrica (ECA) reo ion. The mission also addressed the development ot indiqenous capabilitv throuah the provision of relevant education for educators. liiil United Na'.ions workshops/training coursesLseminars/meetinos of experts 37. Reaardina the United Nations workshops/trainina courses/seminars/ meetinOB of experts, the Committee endorsed the activities proposed for 1988 as outlined bv the Expert in his report (see A/AC.IOS/3110, para. 42 lcl) dnd recommended these activities for approval hy the General AnSembly. In so doinq, the Committee welcomed the invitations from the Governments of China, Italv and Peru, as well as from the Food and Aqriculture Oraanizat1on of the United Nations (FAOl and the European Space Aaencv, to host and/or co-sponsor the activitIes ~oncerned. 3B. Reaardina the lJnited Nations traininq courses/seminar/meetina of exparts for 19H7, the Committee also expressed its appreciation to the Government of ~iaeria for hostlna and co-sponsorino the United Nations ~eetinq of Experts on Space Science and Technoloav and its Applications within the Framework of Educational -7- Systems, which waa held at Laqos from 27 April to 1 May, to the Government of Italy as well as to It'AO for co-sponsoring the Twelfth United Nations/FAO International Traininq Course, which focused on remote aensinq appLicationa to marine fisheries and was held in Rome from 11 to 30 May, to the Government of the USSR for hostinQ and co-sponsorinq the t1niteti Natione Seminar on Space Communications, which io beinQ held in Moscow from] to 15 JuneJ to the Government of Indonesia as well ao to F'O, the World Meteoroloqical Orqanization (WMO) and the European Space AQency for co-sponsorinq the Fourth Uniteu Nations/WMO/FAO/ESA International Training Couroe on Remote Sensinq Applications to Operational Aqrometeoroloqy and lIydrolOQY to be held in Jakarta from 13 to 30 October, to the Government of the German Democratic Republic for offerinQ to host and co-sponsor the United Nati~ns International Training Course on Remote SensinQ Applications to GeoloQical Sciencel. to be hald at Potsdam and Dresden from S to 24 October. The Committee noted with appreciation the financial and other assistance provided and beinq offered by the Governments of the German Democ~atic Republic, Indonesia, Italv, NiQeria and the USSR as well as by FAO, WMO and the European Space Agency, in connection with theafl traininQ courses, tho seminar and the meetinq of experts. The Committee also noted with appreciation the financial contribution of 112,000 made by the Government of Pakistan in aupport of the Programme. (iv) Promotion of greater co-operation in space Bcience and technology 39. ReQarding the promotion of qreater co-operation in space science and technoloqv, the Committee noted With satisfaction that the United Nations had collaborated with the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council on Scientific Unions and other international orQa.lizations in co-sponsor inQ a workshop on "Remote sensing of interest to developinQ countries" at the twenty-sixth plenarv meetinQ of COSPAR, held at Toulouse. France, in 1986, and sponsored four participants in the plenary me~~inQ as well as in the workshop. The Committee noted that the United Nations Proqramme on Space Applications and COS PAR are currentlY undertakinq ne"\otiations on atrenQtheninQ the participation of the developinQ countries in onQoina and future activities such as the Internation~l Geosphere-8iosphere ProQramme. It further noted that the ProQramme will be collaDoratinQ with COSPAR to orqanize a workshop on atmospheric sciences as a necessary basic r.iscipline at the university level. for the twenty-seventh ~lenary meetinQ of COSPAR in 1988. (b) International space information service 40. With reQard to the international space information service, the Committee noted with satisfaction that an addendulQ had been published to the publication entitled Education, Training, Researcl tlnd Fellowship 0pPDstunities in Space Science and Technoloqy and its Applications: A Directory (A/AC.10S/366 and Add.l). The Committee noted that the Directory will continue to be updated periodically. The Committee further noted that in 1987 plans were in proqress to issue at a future date a directory on publications and literature with particular emphasis on remote sensinq and photoqrammetrv, in collaboration with the International Society of Photoqrammetrv and Remote Sensinq (ISPRS). (c! Studies 41. The Committee took note of the report of the Secletarv-General (A/AC.IOS/C.l/L.152 and Add.1-7) containinq the views of Member States on how far the five studie& had benefited them in puttinq into practice the findinQs of these -8- studies. In this connection, the Committee noted that the recommendations of the Workinq Group of the Whole, which it endorsed, included certain studies and reports of relevance to the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Usee of Outer Space. Id) Co-ordination ot space activities within the United Nations system and inter-aqcncy co-operation 42. With reQard to co-ordination of outer space activities within the United Nations svstem and inter-aQency co-operation, toe Committee noted the request of the General Assemblv, contained in its resolution 41/64, to all orqans, orQanizations and bodies of the United Nations system to co-operate in the implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. 43. The C .nmittee further noted with appreciation that the Scientific and Technical SUb-Committee had continued to stress the necessity of ensurinQ continuouD and eff0ctive consultations and co-ordination in the field of outer space activities amonq orQanizations within the United Nations svstem. In this connection, the Committee noted with satisfaction that the eighth Inter-Agency MeetinQ on Outer Space Activities had been held in 1986 IACC/1986/PG/141, and that the ninth Inter-AQency MeetinQ on Outer Space Activities would be held in October 1987 at the hea~quarters of the International Maritime Orqanization lINO) in London, which would discuss, inter alia, the implementation of recommendations of the Conference. ' 44. The Committee noted with appreciation the participation in all staqes of its work and in that of its Sub-Committee by representatives of United Nations bodies, the specialized aqencies and ot~er international orqanizations. The Committee found the reports submitted by these bodies helpful in enabling it and its subsidiary bodies to fUlfil their role as a focal point for international co-operation, especially with respect to the \)ractical applications of space science and technoloQy in developinQ countrieu. 45. The Committee endorsed the view of the Sub-Committee that the United Nations Should continue to seek the support of UNDP and other international fundina institutions and that the secretariat should take note of, and operate within, the UNOP fundinq procedures. 46. With a view to reinforcinq the implementation of the recommendations of the Second Unitea Nations Conference on the Explora~ion and Peaceful Uses of outer Space, some deleQations felt that the Secretar~-General, within existinQ resources, IIhould prepare, on a priority basi$, a report includinq information on the financial and human resources on ~he activities relatilJQ to international co-operation, particularly for the benefit of develoDinq countries, conducted by orQans, orQanizations and bodies of the United Nations system and other interQovernmantal orQanizations worki~l in the field of outer space or o~ space-related matters. Other deleQations, while aQreeinQ with the ob1ective of that proposal, wondered whether such an extensive study could be accom~lished within existinQ resources. An intermediate step could be to review information already available in documents such as A/IOS'3S6, A/40/698 and Corr.l, and A/42/207 and ~orr.l. These d~uments could be made available to th6 n~xt session of the Workinq Group of the Whole where a decision could be taken on what further data would be necessary to reinforce the implementation of the recommendations of -9- tho Second United Nations Conference on the Fxploration and Peaceful USOfl of Outer Space. In the view of other delegations, the Rub-Committee, at its next se9sion, could consider cl study of the needs of States with reqard to the use of space technoloqy for purposes of international co-operation. 47. As an intermediate measure, on the occanion of the ninth Inter-Aqency Meetinq on Outer Space Activities, which will be held in October 1987 at the headquarters of IMO in Londorl and will be devoted to the implementation of the recommendations of the Second lInited Nations Conference on the F,xploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, all relevant information referred to in paragraph 46 above could be collected and included in the report of the Secretary-General to be prepared followinq this meeting. le) Regional and interregion~l mechanisms of co-operatioQ 48. Regarding reqional and interreqional mechanisms of co-operation, the Committee noted with satisfaction that, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 41/64, the Secretariat had continued to seek to strengthen reqional mechanisms of co-operation by carrying out various activities in the implementation of the recommendations of the Conference, in partiCUlar those under the Programme on Space Applications, such as the United Nations/Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Meetinq of Experts on Regional Co-operation in Space Science and Technology and its Applications, held at Cartagena, Colombia, in June 1986 and the United Nations Regional Meetinq of Experts on Space Technology Applications in the Indian Ocean Region held at Colombo, Sri Lanka, in September 1986. The Committee noted with appreciation the financial and other assistance prnvided by the Governments of Colom~ia and Sri Lanka in connection with these m~etings of experts. 49. The Committee noted the contributiuns made by other international organizations towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer space. In partiCUlar, the Committee noted that ITlI had carried out studies on the development of small earth stations and on technical factors influencing the ef.ficient use of the geostationary orbit and ITU offNed assistance to States throu'.jh advisory services, project support, seminars and dissemination of information and was the lead agency in a feasibility stUdy of a regional satellite communication oystem for Afr ica. The Committee also noted U,O't INMARl'lAT had developed a small, inexpensive ship communication terminal, had provided for maritime safety communications, the collection and dissemination of marine meteorological data and .disaster relief communications and intended to provide aeronautical mobile communications in 1988, and was Rtudyinq satellite navigation services and possible future land mobile applications, and was also considering co-operation with developing countries with respect to various applications of mobile satellite communications. so. With reference to the process of implementing the recommendations of the workshops/training courses/seminar~/meetingsof experts under the united Nations Programme on Space Applications, t.he view was expre-;sed that in the implementation of follow-up action~ in a regional or international context, care should be taken to ensure that the participation vi agencie'; involved enjoy relevant regional or international consensus. -10- 2. Remote senHinq of the Earth by satellites 51, '{'he Committee noted that, in accordance ",ith General Assembly resolution 40/162 of 16 December 19U5, the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee had continued ita priority consideration of questions relatinQ to remote sensinQ of the Earth by satellites. 52. The Committ~e alao noted that, in the course of the debate in the SUb-Committee, deleqations had reaffirmea their basic positions relatinq to remote sensinq, which had been reflected in the reports of the previous sessions of the Sub-Commi ttee. 53. Th~ Committee aqreed that the Sub-Committee should consider the matter under the reformulated aqenda item entitled "Matters relatinq to remote sensinq of the Barth by Satellites, includinQ, inter alia, applications for developinq countries" on a priority basis at its next session and that Buffictont time should be allocated for its consideration. 54. The Committee recOQni&ed the importance of continuinq international efforts to ensure the continuity, compatibility ana complementarity of systems for remote ~ensinQ of the Earth. 55. The Committee recoqn1zed the example of international co-operation qiven by the free distribution of meteoroloqical information. All countries that supplied such information were urQed to continue this practice. 3. Use of nuclear power sources in uuter space 56. The Committee noted that, in accordance with General Assemblv resolution 41/&4, the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee had continued its priority consideration of questions relatinQ to the use ot nuclear power sources in oueer space. 57. The Committee welcomed the ~onclusion of the Conv~ntion on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radioloqical EmerQencv, whir-h could cover consequences on the Earth of accidents with space ob1ects carryinq nuc~ear power sources, adopted under the auspices of the International Atomic EnerQY Aqency (IAEA). It further stressed the need for the widest possible adherenr-e to these Conventions. The view was expressed that the Committee should be cautious about appearinq to define the scope of aQr"'ements neQotiatoci in other international orqanizations. 58. The Committee took note of the discussion on this item as reflected in the report of the Scientific and Technical Suu-Committee (A/AC.105/383 and Corr.l) and endorsed the results of that discussion as contained in paraqraphs 55-63 of that report. 59. Same deleQations expressed the view that the ~o,kinq Group 011 the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space should be reconvened at the twenty-fifth session of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee since, in their view, that was the most approoriate forum to achieve proqress on ~utstandinQ questions, in particular those of a technical and scientific nature oertaininq to the development of principles in the Leaal Sub--Committee. Other deleqations were of the view that -11- there was no need to rec~nvene the workinG Group since sufficient work had already been achieved, so that the Scientific and T~chnical Sub-Committee oould proceed without additional aessions of the Workinq GtOUP, and th~y considered that further work on this item should be undertaken in accord with the provisions of the Conventions already adopted under the auspices of the IAEA. 60. The Committee endorsed tile recommendation of the Sub-Committee that the item should be kept as a priority item on its aqenda for the next session and that sufficient time should be allocated for its consideration. 4. space transportation systems 61. ~he Committee noted that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 41/64, the Sub-Committee had continued the consideration of the item relatina to s~ace transportation systems and their impli~ations for future activities in space. 62. The Committee took note of the proqreS9 beina achieved in th~ various proqrammes in operation or planned by Chil,~, France, Ir.dia, Japan, the USSR, the United Kinadom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the European Space Aqency. 63. The Committee endorsed the decision of tha Sub-Committee to continue consideration of the item at its next session. 5. Examination of the physical I\at~nd technical attributes of the qeostationary orbit 6~. The Committee noted that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 41/64, the Sub-Committee had continued examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the qeostationary orb~t. 65. The Committee noted that deleaations had reiterated and elaborated on the views expressed at earlier sessions and refl&cted in earlier reports of the Committee and its two sub-committees, most notably in the followinq documents: A/AC.I05/267, para. 69: A/AC.l05/271, para. 4ll A/35/20, para. 43: A/36/20, para. 46; and most recently in A/AC.l05/383 and Corr.l, paras. 74 and 75. 66. The Committee endorsed the r~quest of the Sub-Committee that the study of the physical nature and technical aspects of the qeost4tionary orbit continue to be updated as reqUired (A/AC.I05/203 and Add.1-4). It further endorsed ~he recommendation of the Sub-Committee that it continue consideration of the matter at its followina session under the reformulated a"enda item entitled "Examination ot the physical nature and technical attributeo af the qeostationary orbit. Examination of its utilization and applications, includinQ, inter alia, :>. .. the field of space communications, as well as other questions relatina to b~ace communications developments, takina particular account ot the needs and interests of developinQ countries". -12- 6. Matters relating to life-scienoes, includir'l space medicine; proqress in the qeosphere-biosphere (global (:hanqel programme; n,atters relating to planetary exploration, m,tters ~atinQ to astronomy 67. 'l'he Committee noted that, in accordance with General AI:> ,embly resolution 11/64, the Sub-Committee had considered the items concerninq matters relatinq to life-sciences, includinq space medicine» proqress in the qe08 ~here-bi06phere (global change) proqramme; matters relatinq ~o planetary expll ration, and matters relatinq to astronomy. 68. The Committee noted with satisfaction that a series of ape.~ial presentations were held under the items and the disoussion of these items was I'>enefioial and attraoted qreat interest. 69. The Committee endorsed the decision of the SUb-Committee to .'ontinuo consideration of these items at its followinq session. It furthel endor!ll'd the recommendation of the Sub-Committee that COBPAR and IAF should be nvited to present reports and arranqe a special presentation on proqress in t~e qeosphere-biosphere (qlobal chanQe) proqramme. 7. The themes fixed for special attention of the 1987 and 1988 sessions of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee 70. The Committee noted that, in accordance with General Assemblv resllution 41/64, the sub-Committee had considered the item relatinQ to the theme fixed for special attention of the 1987 s8ssion of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee: "Space communications for development". 71. The CQmmittee noted with satisfaction that, in accordance with Genelsl Assembly resolution 41/64, COSPAR and IAF had conducted a symposium in tW\ sessions on this question and expressed its appreciation to COS PAR and IAF for the1~ qenerous support of the work of the Sub-Committee. 72. The Committee endorsed the recommendation of '~he Sub-Commit.:ee that th~ new theme fixed for special attention of the 1988 ses~ion of the Sub-Committee s'lould I be "Micr09ravitv experiments in space and their applications". It also endol~ed the recommendation of the Sub-Comrr. ~ttee that CO::,PAR and IAF should be inVited',to arranqe a symposium on that theme, with as wide a participation as possible, t~ be held durinq the first week of the Sub-Committee's session after the adjOurnmen~ of its meetinqs. C. Reeort of the Leqal Sub-Committee on the work of its ·t twenty-sixth session (aqenda item 61 73. The Committee took note with appreciation of the report of the LeQal Sub-Committee on the work of its twenty-sixth session (A/AC.10S/38S), which provided the results of its deliberations on the items assiQned to it bv the General Assembly in its resolution '41/64. 74. The Committee recOQnize~ that 1987 was the twenti~th anniversary of the entry into force of the Outer Space Treatv of 1967. It reaffirmed the importance of that -13- 'l'reatv as the basin of international space law and urQed States that have not already done so to ratify or accede to the Treaty. The Committee sUQqested that the General Atlsemblv should mark that anniversary in an appropriate manner that would not involve additional financial implications. 75. The Committee also reaffirmed the importance of the Convention on Reqistratlon of Obiects Launched into Outer Space (General Assembly resolution 3235 (XXIX)) and urqed States that have not ratified or acceded to that Convention and international orqanizations that have not declared their acceptance of the riQhts and obliQations provided for in the Convention to qive urqent consideration to doilla so. In this connection, the view was expressed bv some deleqations that, in order to qive practical effect to this recommendation, the Committee should request the Secretary-General to address a letter to all States Members of the United Nations and to all international orqanizations that conduct space activities, remindinQ them of the importance of further ratifications of, and accessions to, the Convention. 76. The Committee expressed its sati.sfaction at the adoption by the General Atlsembly, in its resolution 41/6S of 3 December 1986, of the Principles Relatinq to Remote Sensina of the Earth from Outer Space, and called upOn all States to abide by those principles in carryina out their remote sensinq actiVities. 1. The elaboration of draft principles relevant to the use of nuclear Rower sources in outer space 77. The Committee noted that, in qivinq detailed c~nsideration to this item, the Sub-Committee, durinQ its twenty-sixth session, had re-established its Workinq Group on the item, under the chairmanship of Mr. Franz Cede (Austria). 78. The Committee noted the work carried out by the Workina Group, as reflect.ed in the .eport of the LeQal Sub-Committee (A/AC.IOS/38S, paras. 22-29 and annex I). Some deleaations emphasized that technical elements arose durinq the debates which deserved a Qreater in-depth consideration by experts in the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee. 7Y. Some deleaations referred to the conclusion of the Convention on Earlv Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or RadiolOQical Emeraency, and called for a comparative analysis of the provisions of these Conventions with proposed leqal texts relatina to the use of nuclear power sources in outer space in order to ensure that the work of the LeQal Sub-Committee would be in line with those Conventions. Other deleqations emphaRized that these Conventions were prepared bv a qroup of Qovernmental experts convened by lAEA in JUlv and Auqust 1986 after the Committee had adopted the draft principles on Notification of Re-entry and Assistanca to States, and that consequ~ntlV the Conventions duly took into account in their draftina the need for an aliQnment of the texts. Therefore, they did not consider it useful to carry out a comparative analysis. Other deleaatiolls, havinQ noted that these texts adopted by the Sub-Committee were not in line with the provisions of those Conventions, did not aaree with that approach. 80. The Committee recommenderl that the LeQal Sub-Comr.littee should continue consideration of the item at its next session. -14- 2. Matters relating to the definition and delimitation of outer apace and to the character and utilization of the Qeostationary orbit, including consideration of wa¥B and means to ensure the rational and equitable use of the Qeostationary orbit without pre1udice to the role of the International Teleco~unication Union 81. The Committee noted that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 41/64, the LeQal Sub-Committee had continued to consider this item throuQh ita WorkinQ Group under the chairmanship of Mr. Gast6n Lasarte (UruQuay). 82. The Committee noted that a variety of views had been expressed on the qUOBtion as reflected in paragraphs 30 to 37 and annex 11 of the report of the Legal Sub-Com~ittee (A/AC.105/385). Those views were elaborated on and reiterated during the current session of the Committee. In this connection, some deleQations indicated that it was necessary to have a conventionally defined boundary between air and outel space. The proposal was made in a workinQ paper (A/AC.10S/L.168) (see annex V below) to include in the report of the Committee as an agreed recommendation that any object launct.ed into outer space be considered as being in outer space at all staQes of its flight after launch at which its altitude above sea level was 110 kilometres or more and that it should retain the right to fly over the territory of other States at altitudes lower than 110 kilometrea above sea level for the purposes of reach4ng orbit around the Earth or proceeding on a fliQht trajectory beyond the confines of that orbit, and for the purpOse of returninQ to Earth. Other deleQations expressed the view that the need for such a definition ur delimitation, whatever statements miQht have been made, had not vet been established, and that attempts to establish prematurely such a definition or delimitation might complicate and impede progress in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Other deleQations pointe1 out that present aerospace programmes aQain confirmed the need for establishing a boundary between air space and outer space in order to ensure the peaceful uses of outer space. Other deleQations disagreed with that view. 83. 84. The Committee recon~ended that the Legal Sub-Committee should continue consideration of the item at its next session. 3. Consideration of the choice of a new item for the agenda of the Legal SUb-Committee, including the proposals made by the Group of 77 and others, with ft view to makinQ a recommendation to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Spac~ in order to reach consensus during the Committee's thirtieth session 85. The Cc~mittee noted that, in accordance with Gen•. &1 Assembly resolution 41/64, the LeQal Sub-Committee had considered this item and listed a number of sUQgestions made in paraQraph 43 of its report (A/AC.10S/38S). The Sub-Committee rec.ommended the consideration of this question bv the Committee, as a matter of priority, with a view to reachinQ consensus at the thirtieth session. -15- 86. Some deleqations expreused the view that ~ new item entitled "Consideration of the leQal aspects related to the access of States to the benAf.ts derived from the ~xploration and utilization of outer space" should be on the dub-Committee's aqenda (A/AC.105/C.2/L.162), and expressed their disappointment a~ not havinq achieved to date a consensus on the new item. Other de~eqations felt that the question of enhanced co-operation between States in the event of ac~1dent or emerqencv on bOard a manned-spa~e object endanqerinq the lives or heal':h of the crew would be an approprtate item for tho aqenda (A/AC.105/C.2/L.159). Still other deleqations felt that the leqal status of a spacecratt crew, in particular with respect to the conditions qoverninq manned-spaoe fliqhts, could become a new item on the aqenda of the Leqal Sub-Committee (A/AC.105/C.2/L.161). Durinq the current session a workinq pap~r (A/AC.105/L.169) (see annex VI below) was 3ubmitted bv some deleqations, reiteratinq and eXPlainina their proPcJal concerninq the inclusion of the question of improvinq the procedure for thti reqistration of space objects aa a new item on the aqenda of the Leqal Sub-Committee. 87. The Committtie stronqlv recommended that consideration of this question should be continued, as a matter of priority, ~n order to reach consensus in the near future, if possible, durinq the forthcominQ session o~ the General Assemblv, or if not, at the next SlRsion of the LeQal Sub-Com~ittee. D. Other matters (aqenda item 8) 88. T.he Committee noted with appreciation the participation in its work and that of its Sub-Committees by represen~ .. tives ut United Nations bodies and specialized ~qencie~, and found the reports they had submitted helpful in enublinq the Committee and its subsidiary bodies to fulfil their role as a focal point of intP(' atiollal co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The Committee also not with appreciation the participation in its work and that of its Sub ~mittees bv th~ representatives of ITU, INTELSAT, INMARSAT, the European Space Aqencv, COS PAR and IAF. The Committee requested that concerned orqanizations should continue to keep it informed of their activities relat~n~ to the peaceful uses of outer space. 89. The Committee had before it a draft of the medium-term plan for the period 1990-1995 on the subproqramme "Peaceful uses of outer space" (Major proaramme: Political and Security Council activities) contained in docume~t COPUOS/1987/CRP.l, which had been submitted in accordance with the relevant parts of the requlations and rules qoverninq proqramme planninq, the proqramme aspects of the budQet, the monitorina of implementation and the methods of evaluation (ST/SGB/204). Some deleqations expressed the view that the draft was hiqhly speculatiVe on future work that miqht be undertaken. Other deleqations expressed the view that they did not see the need to include in the medium-term plan any reference to questions relatinq to direct broadcastinq flatellites (para. 30 of the draft), new inte~nationallV accepted codes of conduct to qovern space technoloqv (para. 36 of the draft), and aareements concerninq remote sensinq activities (para. 29 of the draft). Other deleqations felt that these were important issues that should be included in the medium-term plan because the Committee had the mandate to deal with these issues and will take them up 'n the future. The view was alsc expressed that the C~mmittee had no spp~•• ic mandate to consider certain matters mentioned in document COPtlOS/1987/~RP.l. Other deleqations expressed the .iew that they could not conside. this document officially unti.l it was available in all the official lanquaqes of the United Nations. -16- 90. Upon request, tl'le IJrOposed pruqramme bUdecet for the biennium 1988-1989 of the Outer Space Affairs rH, . 1Iion y was slJbmitted to the Committee. The view was expressed that the b'lold 91. A statement in response to the views expressed in paraqraphs 09 and 90 above was made by the Chhtf uf tho Outer Space Affairs DiVision. E. Future work 92. 'l'he Committee f1ot,td the vhws expressed by the Soientifio and Teohnioal Sub-Committee, as cont,ained in JluaQr61phb 98 to 106 of its report (A/AC.10S/383 and Cort.l) , and endorsed the recomme.ndatioJls oontained in these paraqraphs oonoerninq th~ aqenda of the twenty-fifth session of the Sub-Committee. 93. ReQardinq the 8Qenda of the LeQal SUb-Committee, the Committee recommended that the Leqal SUb-Com~itlee, at its twenty-seventh seSSion, shouldz (al Continue the elaboration of draft prinoiples relevant to the use of nuclear-power sources in outer space thtouqh its WorkinQ GrouPI (b) Continue, throuQh its WorkinQ Group, its consideration of matters relatinq to the definition and delimitati~n of outer spaoe and to the oharaoter and utilization of the Qoostationary orbit, includinQ consideration of ways and means to ensure the rational and equitable use of the qBOstationary orbit witho'Jt pre1udioe to the role of the International Telecommunication Unin~, (c) Consider the choice of a new item for its aQenda, inoludinq the proposals made bv thA Group of 77 and others, with a View to makinq a reoommendation to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Spaoe tn order to reach consensus durinq the Committee's thirtY-first session, ~he Committee stronQly reoommended that the consideration of this question should be continued, as a matter of priority, in order to reach consensus in the near futuro, if possible, durinQ the forthcominq session of the General Assemblv, 01' if not, at the ~~xt session of the l.eqal Sub-Committ le. 94. Some deleqations noted that the Leqal Sub-Committee had not made full use of the time available to it and suqqested that the lenqth of the sessions of the Leqal Sub-Committee Dhould be reduced to two weeks. Other deleQations felt that the lenQth of the sessions ahould be maintained at three weeks to allow sufficient time for neQotiations on the complex leqal issues before the Sub-Committee. Still. other deleQations telt that it was necessary to reach aQreement on the future items for the aqenda of the Sub-Committe~ before the question of the lenqth of its future sessions was resolved. 9S. The view was eXPJ'dssed that in the future all meetinqs of the L~Qal Sub-Committee shoul~ be held in New York in order to minimize the costs of those meetinqs. On the other hand, the view was expressed that such a chanqe in practice would not necessarily result in economic savinqs and that such a chanqe was not desirable. -17- F. Schedule at woek of the Committee and its 6ubsloi~rv bodies 96. The Committee indicated the followinq tentative timetable for 1968: Location Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee 16-26 Februarv New York Leqal Sub-Committee 14 March-l April Geneva Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 13-24 .June New York G. Tribute to the Vice-Chairman 97. Mr. Teodor Marinescu left New York to take UP another assiqnment. relinquishinQ his duties aa Vice-Chairman of th9 Committee. The Committea 9xpressed its sincere appreciation for the assistance and co-operation that he has qiven to the Committee over several years. The Chairman announced that a new Vice-Chairman would be elected at It later date. 1/ Official ~ecorda of the General Ass9mblv. Forty-first Session. Supplement No. 20 (A/41/20 and Corr.l). 11 See ~eport of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Vienna. 9-12 Auqust 1982 (A/CONF.10l/10 and Con .11. 2/ Off1~ial ~ecordo of the General Assembly, Forty-second Session. Supple.nent No. 6 (A/42/61, sect. 2A. -18- ANNEX I Openinq atatemp,nt by the Chairman of the Committee on the Peac~ful IIU08 ot Outer Space 1. MV first and moot plOllaant dutv as Chairman of this Committee todav is t<\ otfer /All delegations and .!All delegates, manv of whom have a 10nQ and distinQuished record of service in this Committee, a nordial welcome to this, the thirtieth session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. A special welcome is due to the representativeu of the International Maritime Satellite OrQani~ation /INMARSATI, which has been admitted as one of the permanent observers of this Committee. We look forward to co-operatillg closelv with this distinQuished orQanization, which now 10ins many others, includinQ many specialized aQenoies of the United Nationa, in workinq f~r the purpos~s of this Committee. 2. SpeakinQ of old frlends of the Committoe as well as new ones, I should like to illftlrm yOU that since our last meetinQ our distinQuished Vice-Chairman of many Years, Ambasaado[ Marinescu of Romania, has left New York to take up another assignment. I wish to take this opportunity, at the outset of this meetinQ, to express to the deleQation of Romania and, throuQh it, to Ambassador Marinesou the hiqh appreciation of the Committee for the &ssistance and co-operation he has never failed to provide. I should lik6 to uropose that the Committee takes up the question of the appointment of a new Vice-Chairman at the appropriate moment and, considerinQ the excellent servioe that Romania has provided to the Committee sinoe its fornlation as Vice-Chairman of the Committee, perhaps when the new AmlJassador of Romania arrives in New York. 3. Let IMl now try as I have done in the pa'at to refleot: tOQether with yoU on some of the most recent developments in the peao~ful uses of outer spaoe, as well as to review the results of the 19H7 sessions of our two Sub-Committees. I would also like to share with vou some thouahts on the role that the Comn.· ttee should play in the year ahead to d1s'.harQe effectively its duties and its mandate as the focal point of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer spaoe within the framework of the United Nations. 4. '1'h1s seems part icularly appropr iate at a moment when not only this Committee meets for somethinq like an anniversary session - and this indeed is our thirtieth session in almost as mallY years - but when, at the same time, space soienoo and technoloqy complete 30 vears of virtually uninterruPted proqress in the peaceful conquest of outer space, the first artificial earth satellite, Sputnik, havinQ b0en launched in October 1957. 5. I would express hope therefore that considerinQ the enormous challenQes that these rapid advances present, the Committee in 19H7 miaht wish to add its own contributions to meet these challenQes in the manv fields which are waitinQ to receive the full impact of what are now mature and hiqhly advanoed teohnoloqies. 6. tJndoubt",dly, our beat and most valuable contribution will be to display once aQain our well-proven ability to harness these technolOQies in the direotion of exclusively peacetul uses of outer space and to orqanize, centred on these technoloaies, new and innovative forms of international co-operation for the benefit of all nations wishinQ to make Qood use of outer space technoloQY. -19- 7. In this reqard, the Committee will hopefully profit from a much improvod international atmosphere, not the least in the pOlitical relations between !':aut and West. A welcome sign of this improvement is the signaturo last Apr 11 by the Governments of the nnitod States of America and the Union of Soviet SocialiRt Republics of a new agreement concerning their co-operation in space exploration. 8. Furthermore, new departures into space co-operation between East and West and North and South can build on new and solid accomplishments of space scienco and technology during the last year - a good yeal indeed for outer opace. 9. In 1986, the Soviet Union has orbited more than 100 space objects in 91 launches. These space objects included Cosmos, Molnya, Raduga, Meteor, Gorizont, and Ekran Series satellites, manned Hoyuz T-15 and Soyuz TM space~ 'aft, progreos Cargo Spacecraft, and the Mir Orbital Station. We congratulate the Soviet Union on this impressive launching record. Most recently, the space station modulo Kvant (Quantum) successfully docked with the Mir station. This astrophysics module carries four x-ray telescopes built by the European Space Aqency with the help of scientists from the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands and the united Kingdom of Great nritatn and Northern Ireland. Data from the x-ray experiments are to be shared by scientists from the Soviet IInion and the participating Western European nations. The Soviet Union has also recently undertaken the first fliqht of its heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle F.NERGIA which is capable of puttinq a lOO-ton payload into low Earth orbit. 10. The United States recently successf"lly launched Indonesia's Palapa B2-P communications satellite and a United S ,tes ~'eather satellit(', the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite lGOES-7:, which will be operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Deployment of earlier satellites by the united States, such as the NOAA-IO polar-orbitinq weather satellite, launched on 17 Septernber 1986, and the Polar Beacon F.xperiment anrl Auroral Research (REAR) Satellite, launched on 13 November 1986, underscc.·ce the continuing space activities of the United States. We wish the United States full success in their efforts to resume flights of the spac~ shuttle. 11. Many other Rtates members of this Committee engaged in really successful space activities last year. China launched a scientific exploration and technical experimentation satellite us1l,g the CZ-2 launch vehicle, and an operational communications and broadcasting satellite was put into the geostationary orbit u~ing the CZ-2 vehicle. On 19 February 1987, Japan successfully launched its firflt Earth observation satellite, MOS-l. 12. Distinguished delegates, let me stress finally how much space exploration has increased our understanding of the nature of the universe and of our planet F.atth, one concrete example out of many others being a fascinatinq project carried out by NASA scientists using satellite imaqery of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Central Guatemala and Belize, concerning ancient Mayan settlement patterns, their environmental settinq and their use of natural resources. The Mdyan clvilizalion, noted for @laborate temples, hiqhly developed mathematics and astronomy and larqe scale agriculture, spread across Central America beqinning around 2000 B.C. and continued until the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. Satellite imaqery has now produced evidence of an ancient river plain, sea level chanqes ~~d tectonic fa.ult lines, perhaps important in shl"ping this civilization. Investigato(s are a190 using satellite imaqery to detect Mayan water sources, such as wells and ponds, and are comparinq their locations with those of ancient Mayan ruins. They -20- hope that this remote sentling project wi 11 help resol,,~~ a central question in Mt.yan Htudiesl !Iow did the Mayans build a sophiaticated civilization in a relatively ronource-poor ellvironment? 'rhcy thus also hope to understand the myster ious cyclelJ of expansion and decline of Mayan civilization, linked possibly to environmental probloms, including the misuse of resources. 13, Progress in the exploration c.Z outer space has sometimes to be s'.>ught at the exponBe of some setbacks. i am thinking here, among other things, of the loss of India's first augmented satellite launch vehicle (ASLV). 14. While India's hopes in launching its first SROSS Rohini satellite have been disappointed, we trust that India will continue ita impressive efforts toward developing space technology and applications. Another disappointment was the loss of a llnited States communication satellite on 26 March, owing to a launch vehicle malfunction. l~. ~etbacks also underscore the importance of even stronq\~r efforts by Member States toward international co-operation. Only through the sharing of knowledge and e~perience is it possible to minimize setbacks. Co-operative action should encompass all disciplines connected with the peaceful exploration of outer space, from joint research to international space crews, in order to ensure progress in the future. Ry the 1990s, the number of countries directly involved in space activities will have increased further as more countries develop launching capabilities, build, buy or lease satellites and install ground stations for use with national or international satellites. 16. Plans for an International Space Year in 1992 are being developed by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council of Scientific llnions (ICSU) and could provide a major boost to the efforts of our Committee to improve further international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space. 17. The United Nations university, which since its creation 10 years ago ha!') continuously gained a profile as an institution of independent academic analyses of issues of global concern, is currently exploring in co-operation with the Government of Austria the feasibility of establishing a research ahd training centr~ on applied space technology. The functions of suea' a centre would encompass the facilitating of international scientific exhange and co-operation, as well as the conduct of research and training, in particular with reference to the needs arising fre. I the applicati. , of space technology to development. 18. Aqaim;t this background, let us now turn to the agenda items before the Committee. lQ. As in the past years, the General Assembly, at its forty-first session, instructed us to consider as a matter of priority "ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes" and to report thereon to its forty-second session. 20. As the distinguished delegates will remember, during its twenty-ninth session th~ Committee, though recognizing the need to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes and agreeing that it could make important contr ibutions to that end, reached no specific agreement regarding the role that the Committee should play in that regard. -21- 21. The Committee pointed out its responsibilities relatina to the strenqtheninu of the inte.. national basis for the peaceful exploration and uses of out~. apace. 22. I would hope that durinQ the current session the Committee will be able to make some prOQceS8 on this admlttedly difficult matter. The business-like atmosphere surroundinq the current arms-reduction talks between the United StateS and the Soviet Union should also in8P1r~ the work of the Committee in this area. Not in a spirit of confronta~ion, but only throuQh co-operation will it be possible to resolve this question for the benefit of all Member States and humanity in Qeneral. 23. Before QoinQ into detail about the work of the two Sub-Committees, I should like to express, on behalf of the Committee, our deep appreciation to Professor John Carver of Australia, Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee, and to Ambassador Ludek Handl of Czechoslovakia, Chairman of the LeQal Sub-Committee. Indeed, the Committee is much indebted to these distinquished Chairmen for the smooth and productive functioninQ of its two subsidiary bodies, which serve as the basis for a successful session of the Committee. 24. The Scientific and Technical Subo-Committee's report on its twenty-fourth session is before us in document A/AC.10S/383 and Corr.l. The Subo-Committee considered the followinQ items: la) The United Nations PrOQramme on Space Applications and the co-ordination of spac activities within the United Nations svstem: Ib) Implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Spacel Ic) Questions relatinQ to remote sensinQ of the Earth by satellites, Id) The uses of nuclear power sources in outer spacel le) Questions celatinQ to space transportation systems and their implications for future activities in space I If) The examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the qeostationary orbitl la) Matters relatina to life sciences, includinq space medicinel (h) PrOQress in the Qeosphere-biosphere Iqlobal chanae) proqrammel li) Matters relatinq to planetary explorationl Ij) Matters relatinq to astronomYI Ik) The theme fixed for special attention of the 1987 session of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee: "Space communicatio. l for development". 25. The Sub-Committee, as it did last vear, ~ombined consideration of the United Nations Space ApPlications PrOQramme and the implementation ot the recommendations of the Second united Natio.18 Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, !/ since the expansion and reorientation of the Space Applications -22- Proqramrne is an inteQral part of the imp!ementation of the recommendations of the Conference. In considerinq these aqenda items, the Sub-Committee was well aware of the position of the (~eneral Assembly, which, at its fo~tY-first session, once aqain emphasized the urgency and lmportance of fUllY implementinQ the recommendations of the Conference and made four recommendations concerninq particularly urqent questions. 26. In accordance with General ASsembly resolution 41/64, the Sub-Committee established a Working Group of the Whole to eVAluate the implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference On the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, held in 1982. The re9Qrt of the Workinq Group is contained in annex 11 of the Sub-Committee's report. 27. The repurt of the Workinq Group of the Whole, which was adopted by the Sub-Committee and is now before this Committee for action, contains a number of specific recon~endations callinq for actions by Member States, by the Secretariat of the United Nations, and by other international orqanizations. 28. The Workinq Group made three recommendations concernina information that the Committee miqht request from Member States: information concerninq space activities in whictl there could be qreatet international co-operation, information concerninq r~sources that could be made available to United Nations proqrammes, especially for the benefit of developinq countriesJ and annual reports on techniques resultinq from space activities. 29. The WorkinQ Group also recommended that the Outer space Affairs Division, within existinq resources and in co-operation with other international orqanizations, should be requested to prepare a number of reports for submission to the CommitteeJ a study of existinq national and international space information systems with a view to establishinQ an international information systemJ a report on measures for improvinq educational systeMs in developinq countries with respect to space technoloqYJ and a report on measures for enhancinq the applications of space technology, particularly for developinq countries. In addition, it was recommended that the Division shOUld be requested to submit detailed and comprehensive information on its activities. 30. Finally, the Workinq Group recommended that the Com~ittee invite the Internatio~al Astronautical Federation IIAFI and COSPAR to prepare two studies for the Committee: a study on aporoaches that the United Nations miqht take in providinq assistance to developinq countries in real.zinq the benefits of space technoloqYJ and a follow-up study to the previous CO.;PAR study on the environmental effects of space activities, with particular emphasis on space debris. 31. The recommendations made by the WorkinQ Group of the Whole of the scientific and Technical Sub-Committee offer a sound b8~is for substantive action by the Committee for further promotina international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space. I believe that it is impottant that we give serious attention to these recommendations for action. 32. In addition, the Scientific a'ld Technical Sub-Committee reviewed the Wide ranqe of activities reported by the Expert on Space Applications and commended his work durinQ the past year; it also approved or took note of the activities prOpOsed for 1987 and 1988. It noted as well the appeal by the Expert to Member States and international organizations to provide support for the Proqramme and the attempts -23- beinQ made bv the Expert to seek the support of the United Nations Development Proqramme for the Proaramme. 33. While much QenerOU8 support has been provi~ed over the vea~s in this respect, it is obvious that the question of the adequacv of fundinq of our proarammes must remain hiqh on the aqenda of the Committoe. ConsiderinQ the qrowinq importance of space science and technolOQY for the developme~t proceSs as such, the hope miqht be leqitimate that donor countries WOUld, in providinQ fundinq for development proiects, qive increased attention to this particular aspect. It miqht, moreover, be helpful to consi~er additional methods of fundin~ such activities by callinq them to the attention of the financial institutions of the United Nations system, in pa-ticular the World Bank. 34. The Sub-Committee continuert its consider3tion of remote sensinq feom space and reaffirmed its view that remote sensinQ feom outer space should be carried out, takinq into account the particular needs ot the developinq countries. The Sub-Committee recommended that, for next year's aqenda. this item shoulri be reformulated as "Matters relatinq to remote sensinq of the Earth by satellitqs, inclwiinq, inter alia, applications for developinq countries". The Sub-Committee also aqreed~~ber States, as well as international orqanizations, such as IAF, COSPAR, the World MeteorolOQical OrQanization and the Food and Aqriculture Orqanization of the United Nations, should be inVited to provide information on national and international proarammes. The Committee should also take action on this recommendation durinq its current session. 35. The Sub-Committee continued its consideration of the use of nuclear power sources in outer space, and throuqh informal consultations was able to make some proqress toward the formulation of safety criteria for the use of nuclear power sources. Nevertheless, there remains much work to be done toward substantive aqreement in this area. 36. The questions relatinq to space transportation systems ar1 the examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the Qeostutionarv orbit were also considered by the Sub-Committee, but little proqr.ess was made on these questions. The Sub-Committee recommended that the item on the Qeostation~ry orbit be reformulated to read as folloWS: "Examination of the physical nature and technical attributes of the qeostationary orbit. Examination of its utilitation and applications, includinq, inter alia, in the field of sp~ce communications, as well as other questions relatinq to space communications developments, takinq particular account of the needs and interests of developinq countries". The Committee miqht take a decision on thj.s recommendation. 37. This was the first year for the Sub-Committee to discuss, as aqenda items, a number of questions: matters relatinQ to life sciences, includinQ ~pace medicine, proqress in the qeosphere-biosphere (Qlobal chanqe) proaramme. matters relatinQ to planetary exploration, and matters relatinQ to astronomy. 38. In the context of the theme that had been selected tor this year's session, "Space communications for development", a series of most valuable and informative technical presentations were qiven by spec.ialists in a special two-day symposium orqRnized by COS PAR and IAF. To continue these very informative and 6uccessful annual discussions on specific aspects of SpaCe technoloqy and a~plications, the Sub-Committee proposed as a theme for its next session: "MicrOQravity experiments in space and their appl1catiols". The support of COSPAR and IAF is specially -24- caLled for aQain in the form of reports, presentation and symposium. 1 have no doubt that these recommendations will be considered favourably by this Committee. 3~. Let me now turn to the work of the Leqal Sub-Committee which is reflected in document A/AC.lOS/3a5. 40. The Leoal Sub-Committee re-established its Workinq Group on the Use ot Nuc.~ear Power in Outer Space, chaired by Ambassador Cede of Austria, in order to continue its consideration of the elaboration of draft principles relevant to the use of nuclear power sources in outer space. Detailed consideration was qiven in particular to three themes: safety asse$sment and notification, quidelines and criteria for safe use, and the responsibility of St~t~s. The workinq Group produced a detailed report on its con~iderations, but was not able to reach aqreement on any particular provision, as is reflected in its report, contained in annex I to the report of the SUb-Committee. 41. The re-established Workinq Group of the Leaal Su~·Committee on the definition and delimination of outer space and the Qeostationary orbit, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gast6n Lasarte of Uruquav, made little proqress as well. I would hope that the Committee could provide some quidance on thiS matter. 42. The Leaal Sub-Committee, as requested by the General Assemblv in its resolution 41/64, considered the choice of a new item for its aqenda. Thouqh a number of interestinq suqqestions were made for a new item, the Sub-Committee could not decide on an item and recommended that the Committee should continue the consideration of this question, as a matter of priority, with a view to reachinQ consensus. 1 hope that we will be able to reach aqreement on a new item at the current sesslon. 43. A final remark concerninq the work of our two Sub-Committees. In the liaht of the qeneral financial crisis of the United Nations, and in view of the fact that the Committee on Conferences has mada a recommendation concerninQ the curtailment of future resources, the two SUb-Committees made efforts to utilize their conference services as efficiently as possible. Further efforts, however, are necessary, especially on the part of the Leqal Sub-Committee. What holds true for the Sub-Committee applies, of course, to our Committee as well: let us make every possible attempt to utilize the time available to this Committee as efficientlY dS possible. 44. As I did at the outset of this statement, let me repeat that this is an anniversary year for outer space and that this is therefore a year of perhaps unusual challenqes for all of us here in this Committee. 45. Throuqh our work and throuqh our approach to the task qiven to us by the General Assembly - and throuqh it. bv a vast community of nations and peoples - we can prove the increasinq relevance of outer space and outer space science and technoloqy tor the solution of many of the world's problems. 46. One such problem to which we can apply the new and ever qrowina inventory of outer space technoloqy is thu economic, social and cultural development of third world nations, many of which ate stili eaqerlv awaitinQ to reap the benefits of outer space developm~nt. -25- 41. Another such problem is the qlobal, the human environment thrr.atened today, as rarely before, by destructive waves of chanqes of climate, atmosphere ann technolOQies still insufficiently controlled. 48. Finally, there is the problem of peace and international co-operation never unrelated to our approach to outer space and to our effort to create on this new frontier of mankind a new and peaceful order from which many of the threats but also many of the antaqonisms of our planet should for ever be banned. This indeed was the spirit of what remains the Maqna Carta of outer space in the Treaty on Principles Governinq the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, includinq the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of 1967 2/ to which we should once aqain r-'!dedicate ourselves. 49. Thank you for your attention. !/ See Report of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 9-21 Auqust 1982 (A/CONF.10l/lO and Con.l) • ~/ General Assembly resolution 2222 (XXII, annex. -26- ANNEX 11 Recommendations of the Working Group of the Whole of the Rcinntifio and 1'echniclll Sub-Committee to p.valul.lte ttit'! implementation of tho recommendations of the Second United Nations Conferenc@ on the ~xploration and Peaceful URes of Outer space* "11. Since many of the recommendations contained in the report of the Second lIni ted Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space a/ have not been fully implemented, the Working Group of the Wholo of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee proposed that the following should be undertakenl "(a) The emphasis of the United Nations Rpace Applications l'roqrammo should be on long-term (minimum 6 to 12 months) project-oriented on-tho-~ob training in specific application areas ill remote sensing and space communication:;, such as aqricultural inventory, drought monitorinq, ground water eXPloration, forest inventory, mineral exploration, disaster communication, rural communication, gro,md stations operation and maintenance, ~tc. The number of trainees from e~~h country concurrently undergoing such traininq should be sufficient so as to create a core group of expertise in that country that would serve to accelerate the operational use of remotp sensing and space communi~ations, "(b) The Committp.e on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Spacp. should request all States, particularly those with major space capabilities, to inform tho Secretary-General concerning those space activities which coulo be the 9ubjoct of great~r international co-operation. The replies received woulo permit a bptter assessment of the future of such international co-operation by t1w Working Group at its next session, "(c) It i~ desiro ~)le to establiflh a prograll\Jl',e of higher education on space-related subjects. This programme should takp. advantage of the existinq high level of university studies, so that, with the collaboration of the United Nations and its specialized aqencies and qovarnmental and non-governmental organizations, it would be possiJle to promote better acceeD to and training in the study of common prohlems and experiences, 11 (d) The Committee on the Peaceful Uses oC: Outer Space should request illl states in a pOl'iition to do so to consider what additional rosources they C.Jn make available for peaceful uses of outp.r space ,1ctivities, when appropriato, under the auspices of the Un i ted Na t ions, Pi.! r t icularly to the bene fi t oC developing countries, "(e) The adoption of short-term emergency measureo ;'IS recommended to implement the [lni ted Nations Proqramme on Space Applications by requost ill'l States contr ibutinq in kind to incn'!as(~ the tra ininq programmcB ann * 'rhe recommendations or the Working Group of the Whole wert~ previouHly circulated as document A/AC.105/3fll '::lnn Corr.l, annc!'< Il, par:l~. 11-11. -27- fellowships they offered in order to include participants from those Member States which have not vet availe~ themselves of such trainina/fellowships opportunities; "If) Financial institutions and resource-development bodies snoul~ be alerted to the importance ef proqrammes of space communications, remote sensinq and meteoroloqv in terms of their contributions to the socio-economic development and emeraencv warninq svstems of the countries; "(a) In formulatjno co-operative proorammes and pro1ects, account should be taken of the possible participation of international financial institutions in such activities. In particular, the Workina Group encouraqed the Spcretariat to con~inue to seek arranqements with other parts of the United Nations system in order to utilize fullY the available resources and to secure support for the continued implementation of the Space Applications Prc,oramme; "(h) United Nations auspices should be used to develop multilateral proorammes amona countries in each req.on, with a view to promotina reQional activities, whenever and wherever appropriate, in the field of space science and technolooy, includinq joint experimental and operational space proorammes. In thiR context, interested countries should provide in an appropriate form updated reports of their resources and technolooic~l capabilities in the field of SP8ce ~ctivities for purposes of promotinQ ~o-operation in the peacetul uses of outer space; "(i) In order to promote and co-ordinate the exchanae of information on results and of scientific discoveries, areater interaction should be encouraqed &mona experimental and theoretical scientists, with a view to promotinQ wider application of the results of scientific research; "(1) Encouraqement should be qiven to non-Qovernmental orqanizations which, bv means of conferences, publications and other activities, could help to intearate rea10noL and interreaional efforts 1n or.~er to flcilitate and co-ordinate the space activities of scientific oraanizations, incluriinQ the holdinQ of svmpOsi~ and meetinqs devoted to special topics. "12. With reaarri to the priorities established jn paraaraph 7 of Gen»ral Assembly resolution 41/64 of 3 December 1986, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Spac9 should, within existin~ resources: "(al Invite Member States to report annually on techniques resultinQ from medical studies carried out in outer space; "(bl Request tha Outer Space Affairs Division, with the assistance of United Nations specialized aQencies and other international oraanizations, to carry out a survey of existina space information services at the nati.,nal and international level, with a view to establish1nQ an international information system; "(cl Request the Outer Space ~ffair~ DivLsion to update the report, in co-operation with United Nations specialized aQencies and other international" orqanizationB, ~n existinQ traininq ~entres at the reQional level. -28- "13. In addition, the Committoe should, within oxi Q 'na resources: "(a) Request the Outer space Affairs Division to prepare a report, in co-operation with United Nations speciaUzei'l aQencies and "to.het' international oraanizations, on m6'asures necessary for improvinQ educati. lal systems in developinq countries with respect to the use of space technolOQv, incl~dinq throuQh the execution of projects, "(b) Request tne Outer Space Affairs Division, in co-operation with international orqanizations that h~ve observer status in the Committee, to examine measur~s which bhould be taken bv the Committee for enhancinq the use of remote sensinq, space communications and meteoroloqy for uevelopment, particularlY for developinQ countries, "(c) Invite the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Committee on Space Research ICOSPAR) of the International Council of Scientific Unions to stutty various approaches that the United Nations miQht take in providinq assistance to developina countries in realizina the benefits of space techno!oqy, includinq opportunities tor the exchanQe of information, contacts between scientists, development of i"frast~ucture and improvement of the level of education for qraduates and post-qraduates, "(al TakinQ into account the study on e . 'ironmel,tal effects of space activities, prepared bv COS PAR (A/AC.10S/334) invite COS PAR and IAF to undertake a follow-up study on the environmental effects of s~ac~ activities, with particular emph~sis on space debris." 2/ Sea Rep, ,rt of the Second United Nations Conference on the Explorat ion and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 9-21 AUQust 1982 (A/CONF.l~l/lO and Corr.l and 21. -29- ANNI!:X III Ways 81i'! meal)!l of maintaininq out-or BlJtll:fl for: {HlIlcfltul purlJo~'!:!2: worl\inu paper flllbm1t.tfld by 8ulgaria, Czoc!loolovakia, the Clern:an Democrat.ic ROeUDlic, lIunqill:Y, MonqoHil, Poland, J.nmani,l an~ IIn10n of Rov1ot Stx,1alillt llopubllcll undor: agenda item 4- 1. The work of the Committee on the Peaceful 1180U of Outer: SlJllCe concern1nQ waYH and means of maintain1nQ outor opaca for poacef;ul purpoeeo muat be QiVOll doop practical a1qnU1l.lnCe and 11!rocted towilrdll the attainment of tanaible reau.ltn. 2. Thp maIn thrust in thin reaard is the development of broad internationQl cO-operation, which ohould bQ basod on iI concrete appraisal of the needu of Stateo with respect to the use of apace technoloay, takinQ account of exiBtinq possibilities of and proupectn for the devolopment of space Bvatema by the turn ot the century. 3. In accordance with General Assombly resolutLon 41/64 of 3 Oecember 1986, the Sc..:ientif1c and Technical SUb-Committee of the Com.:littoe on the Peaceful Uoes of Outer Space, at its twentY-fourth 8ession, aet UP Cl Worl:lnQ Group uC th& Whole to eval.u.'ta the implementation of the recommendat iOlls of the Second Untted Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful usos of Outer space, held in 1982. One of the recommendationn contained in th'.' roport of the Workina Group reads: "The Comm1ttee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space uhnuld request all States, oarticularly those with major apace capabilitieD, to inform the becretary-Generl.ll concerninQ those space activ1tiea which could be the subjnc:t of qreater international co-operation" IA/AC.L05/381, P. 28). 4. ConeiderinQ that the question ot ways and means ot maintaininQ outer ~pace tor peaceful purposes is clooelv linked with the une of outer spacp. in a rat10nal WilV for the benefit ot mankinn an a whole, and also b\;luinQ in mind the le£ldinQ rolli of the Committee in developina intlHnational cc.-operat'on in the flxploratiol' anrl US'i! of outer space for PPllcet ul Dumoueu, t.he Commi ttee shoullJ uupport and dp.V(~ 101J the above recomm~ndation of the WorkinQ Group of the flclon t Hie dnd 'I'p.chni(~111 Sub-Committeli. 5. In particular. the Committpe could already at the curre~t sOBuion make concr~te prol.)oHalfl on the WIlV in which to t:onnuct a F1t.urlv ot t.he needs of Statfll1 wi th respect to the URe at space technoloqy. 'I'he COl1uoi tte 'i mlQht recommend that the General Assemblv take a doci!1ion to the etfoGt that the SecrHtarV'-(;enerill shoulr:l tranllmit the apprOpr:1atH questionnaire to MemJ.lt!r :;tatoB and, on the bauis of the repl1eu reveived, oreplue an an 6. 'l'he entir~ work shouid be conducted wlth partil:ul.H uttention to th" interosts - I'reviounlV circlIlab!rl 1I!1 documm1t l\/l\C.10',/I.,.lorl • - :w- ANNEX IV ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes Strengtheninq the Committee on the Peaoeful IIsea of Out.er "'eaoe: working paper Bi.lbmitte.l by AuetrtJl1a, Belqium, the Federal Republic 01 Germany, Italy, JapanL t~Net~erlands, the United !i.nqdom ·';)f Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the IInited State~ of America under agenda item 4* L The General APSembly, in paragraph 17 of He reBo~utiorl 41/64 of 3 December 1986, reaffirmed its view that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, throuah its work in th~ sci&ntific, technioal and leqal fields, had an important role to play in maintainina outer spac(. for IJeaceful purposes. The Committee has taken steps in recent years to strcnQthen international co-operation. 2. An adriitional step should be taken by the Committee at its thirtieth session, on the basis of the mutual understandin~ recorded under aaenda item 4 of its twenty-nir.th session that strer.QtheniOQ international co-operation in the peaceful exuloration and uses of outer space also implied "the need for the Committee itself to improve, whenever necessary, the methods and forms of its work". a/ The Committee can build on that mutual understandina at its thirtieth session by establishina a workin~ aroup to examine the oraanization and methods of work of I:he Committee best suited to a~vancina its work. * Pleviously circula: 1d as document A/AC.105/L.166. ~ Q!!icial Recorda of the General Assembly, Forty-first Session, Supplement No. 20 IA/41/20 and Corr.1), para. 21. -31- ANNEX V Compromise proposal on the question related to the definition and delimitation of 0Hte~ 8p!Ce: working paper sgbmitt~d by the Union of Soviet S09ialist Republics under ayenda item 6* The delegation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Repuplics pro~8es the inclusion in the rePO~t of the Committee on the Peaceful USos ~f Outer S~ace of the followinQ text as an aareed recommendation: -While not ,~solvinQ in advance the question of the need to establish a boundAry between airSPAce And outer apace And without preJudice to the f~nal position concern!ng the upoet limit of State sovereignty. general agreement might be reached to the eff~~t that: -/1) Any object launched into outer space shall be considered as being in outer space at all stlqeS of its flight after launch at which its altitude above sew level is 110 kilometres or more. -/21 Space objects of States shall retain the right to flyover the territory of other States at altitUdes lower than 110 kilometres above sea level for the purpawes of ld40hina orbit around thft Earth or proceeding on a fliQht tr&jectory beyond the confines of that orbit. 8hd for thd purpose of returning to Earth.- Previously circulated as document A/AC.105/L.160. -32- ANN1l:X VI Rl'!pOl't of till'! l.e9al Sub-Committee on the work of its twent'l-sixth 8060ion: workinQ eaper sUbmitted by Canada, France, the ~erlands and Sweden under agenda item 6* 1. In its resolution 41/66 of 3 December 1986, the General Assembly recoqnized that" in view of the considerable incre4s~ of activities in outer space, effective intarnationlll rule~ and procedures aoncerninq the rel.1istration of objects launched into outer space continue to be of qrel:l~ importance", and rElaffirmed, "in this reapect, the importance of the Convention on Registration of Objecta Launched into Outer Space !/ and the reqistration, pursuant to the Convention, of all objects launched into outer space". 2. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 41/66, in which the General Assembly requested "the Secretary-General to prepare, within existing resources, a report on the past application of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space and to aubmit it to the Legal Sub-Committee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at its twenty-sixth session, for the information of the Member States", the Svcretariat Gubmitted a report (A/AC.105/382) which indicates, among other thinQs, that only 35 States have b&coma parties to the Convention and that only one international organization has declared its acceptance of the rights and obligations provided for in the Convention, pursuant to article VII. 3. The limited number of ratifications of, and accessions to, the Convention is an obstacle to the full effectivenoss of the mechanism thus established. For that reason, it would be advisable to follow the recommendations made by the General Assembly in resolution 41/66, in which it urged "all States that have not yet done so, particularly those conductinQ space activities, to give urgent consideration t~ ratifyinQ or acceding to the Convention in order to assure its broad application" and also uCQed "international interQovernmental orQanizations that conduct space activities to declare, if they have not yet done so, their acceptance of the riQhts and obliqations provided for. in the Convention, pursuant to ~rticle VII." 4. In order to qive practical effect to these recommendations, the General Assembly should request the Secretary-General to address a letter - possibly annexinQ thereto Assembly resolution 41/66 and document A/AC.105/3tl2 - to all States Members of the United Nations ~nd to all international intergovernmental orqanizations that conduct space activities, remindinQ them of the importance of further ratifications of, and accessions to, the Convention. 5. With a view to strengtheninQ the application of the Convention, the question of improvinQ the procedure for the reQistration of space objects could likewise become a new item 011 the aqenda of the Legal Sub-Committee. If the Sub-Committee were to envisaqe improvements in the registration procedure, it should be careful not to propose any amendments to the existinQ text, whose genuine merits, despi~e its shortcominqs, are re<.;oqnized by all. In the initial stage at l.east, these improvements could take the form of a General Assembly resolution recommendinq that * Previously circulated as document A/AC. l05/L. 169. -33- the States and international orqanizationa concerned ehould make voluntary notifications providinq additional information. 6. By way of illustration, some examples of additional information which would supplement that already required by the 1975 Convention on Reqistration of Objects Launched into Outer Space could be proposed: (a) The technical nature of the space vehicle (scientific or apPlication satellite, platform, space probe. orbital transport vehicle) and its phyeil:al charact~r1stics, lb) Expected duration of existence, (c) The manned or automatic character of the vehicle, and whether the presence of astronauts will be temporary or permanent, (d) The tvpe of enerqy production used and the possible preoence on board of danqerous materials, (e) The identity of the operator, (f) An indi~ative period durinq which the notification of reqistration should be Qade could be specified, (q) Siqnificant chanqes in tra1ectorv and orbital parameters, whether deliberate or involuntarv. should also form the subject of an updated notification. 7. The supplementary information thus provided on a voluntary basis would enable the international community to obtain a better idea of the nature and characteristics of space missions, increasinq the confidence of all States in th& expansion of space activities. Bv thus c~eatinQ conditions of incleased security and openness. the provision of such information by the States and international orQanizatiolls concerned would promote increased international co-operation and further the cause of the peaceful use of space. !I General Assembly resolution 3235 (XXIX), annex. 87-16863 1974p (E) -34- ·oI.Al.ll I"""'~I .;.IJ~ ~ J,....u.1 ~ ~I ..r It-- ....10-1 . ,..J1.oJ1 .u..i ~ ~ t,,J1 /J" ...~I ..r •....-11 ",,"11 ...1,,....';" J~I ~ . '""'- ~ ,i JJ,~'" ~ ~I r-' '•.u..!1 ...."11, J! ..,..;SI ,i If... .}-ol..; ."JI tu rallllll'UHtl4 Illli.., nfl'lJIlll/ili1tl(£ i:tit" &Jt()'~ IIJ,li fU'111l~KIUtlll. iII/I'11l41i ~lhJ.'1411~ ioJIlI'~J.III"lk:(),~ nfl'lJIMIIlIII. now 1'0 OBTAIN UNI'I't:P NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Notions publications may be obtained from blMlksturcs and diSlributors throughout the world. COlIsuh your IxMlkstorc or writc to: Unitcd Notions, Salcs Scction. Ncw York or Ucncya. COMMENT SE PROC'JRt:R Lt:S PUBLICATIONS I)ES NATIONS UNIt:S Les publications dcs Notions Unics sont en ycntc dons Ics lihrairics et Ics ogcnccs d~positoircs du l110ndc cnticr. Informcl'YouS oupr~s dc Yotrc librairc ou adrcsscl-YOUS ~ : Notions Unics. Scction dcs ycntcs, Ncw York ou Ucn~Yc. KAK 1I0JIYltlo1Tb 1013.11AIlIo1H Ol'rAIIH'JAUIo1H OIi'bt:J.lHIIElIJlblX IIAUHA I-h/tallHH OprollH'lauHH 061>CIlHIICHllbIX HUIlIIA MolKllO KYlIlITb 0 KllHlKllblX MurU'JllIIUX HIIrCIITCTUUX uo DCCX plIAolllIX MllllD. HIIUO/IHTC CIlPIIIIKH 06 H'IJlDIIHHX III1DIUCM KIIHlKlIOM Mllrll'IHIlC H/tH IIHWHTC 110 IIllpcey: OprDHH"IIIUHH 06bCllltllCHHblX HIIUllll, CCKIlHH 110 1I!IO/llIlKC H"IIIDHHA, HblO·lllopK 11/111 )l(cIICDII, COMO CONSt:GUIR PUBLlCACIONt:s I)E LAS NACIONES UNmAS I.IIS 11IIblieaeiollcs dc las Nlldoncs Unidlls cs.dll cn Ycntll CII lihrerflls y ellsas distribllidorns CII llMlas pllrlCS dcl mundo. Consultc 0 su Iibrcro 0 dirljllsc 0: Naeiollcs Ullidas. Scccion dc VClltas. Nueya York 0 Gincbra Litho in United Nations, New York 00500 16863-July 1987-3,850