International Astronautical Federation Committee on Space Research International Institute of Space Law 8-10 rue Mario Nikis c/o CNES, 2 place Maurice Quentin 8-10 rue Mario Nikis UNITED NATIONS 75735 Paris, Cedex 15, France 75039 Paris, Cedex 01, France 75735 Paris, Cedex 15, France Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 Tel: +33 1 44 76 75 10 Fax: +33 1 44 76 74 37 Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS URL: http://www.iafastro.com URL: http://www.cosparhq.cnes.fr URL: http://www.iafastro-iisl.com Highlights in Space 2008 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. FOR UNITED NATIONS USE ONLY United Nations publication Sales No. E.09.I.4 ISBN 978-92-1-101190-6 Printed*0859018* in Austria ST/SPACE/42 V.08-59018—February 2009—825 UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT VIENNA Highlights in Space 2008 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law Progress in space science, technology and applications, international cooperation and space law UNITED NATIONS New York, 2009 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.09.I.4 ISBN 978-92-1-101190-6 ST/SPACE/42 This document has not been formally edited. INTRODUCTION This publication has been compiled from reports prepared for the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. It was first published in 1992 as part of the United Nations activities undertaken for the International Space Year, with the objective of making all countries aware of the benefits of sound space activities. The first part of the report on space technology and space applications was prepared by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF); the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) provided information for the second part of the report on international cooperation and space law; both parts cover the period from 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008. The third part, focusing on space science and recent progress made regarding space research, was prepared by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and covers the period from 1 November 2006 to 31 October 2008. Many international experts from various specialized fields have contributed to the drafting of this comprehensive report. The information contained therein indicates a wide variety of ongoing space activities in national as well as international space programmes. A list of coordinators and contributors can also be found at the end of the report. This publication is available in English only. This 2008 review of latest developments in space science, technology, space applications, international collaboration and space law has the aim to inform a broad worldwide audience of recent advancements in the manifold field of outer space. We hope that “Highlights in Space 2008” can significantly contribute to all the efforts undertaken by the United Nations family, in particular the Office for Outer Space Affairs, in attempting to disseminate information on space activities and on the benefits involved to all nations of the world. iii iv CONTENTS Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... iii PART ONE: HIGHLIGHTS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 I. Overview .......................................................................................................................1 II. Space transportation ......................................................................................................4 III. Robotic Earth orbital activities....................................................................................16 IV. Humans in Space.........................................................................................................39 V. Space studies and exploration .....................................................................................50 VI. Technology advancement............................................................................................65 VII. Education.....................................................................................................................78 VIII. Global space market issues and opportunities.............................................................80 Annex The space economy in figures ....................................................................................87 PART TWO: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND SPACE LAW I. Global developments and organizations......................................................................90 II. Africa and the Middle East..........................................................................................94 III. Asia and the Pacific.....................................................................................................96 IV. Europe .........................................................................................................................99 V. The Americas ............................................................................................................112 PART THREE: PROGRESS IN SPACE RESEARCH 2007-2008....................................................127 I. Space studies of the Earth’s surface, meteorology and climate ................................127 II. Space studies of the Earth-Moon system, planets and small bodies of the Solar System..............................................................................................................141 III. Space studies of the upper atmospheres of the Earth and planets, including reference atmospheres ...............................................................................159 IV. Space plasmas in the Solar System, including planetary magnetospheres................176 V. Research in Astrophysics from space…………........................................................187 VI. Life sciences as related to space................................................................................196 VII. Microgravity research................................................................................................206 VIII. Fundamental Physics.................................................................................................208 IX. Satellite dynamics .....................................................................................................210 X. Scientific ballooning..................................................................................................214 XI. Potentially environmentally detrimental activities in space......................................219 XII. Radiation belt environment modelling ......................................................................221 XIII. Space weather............................................................................................................222 XIV. Planetary protection...................................................................................................226 XV. Capacity building ......................................................................................................233 XVI. Education activities related to space research ...........................................................236 Contributors and coordinators………………………………………… .............................................238 Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................................240 v vi PART ONE HIGHLIGHTS IN SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR 2008 I. OVERVIEW Space Transportation. United Launch Alliance (USA) conducted its first operational launch of the Delta-IV Heavy and the first Atlas-V launch from the U.S. west coast. Sea launch returned to flight after last year’s failure, conducting five successful launches this year, and Land Launch orbited its first payload. Launch failures this year included a Proton-M and the third Falcon-1. Proton-M returned to service in August, and the Falcon-1 was successful on its fourth launch attempt in September. Development contracts were issued by NASA for all elements of the Ares-1 launcher and Orion module that will replace the crew-carrying function of the Space Shuttle after the Shuttle’s planned retirement in 2010. Ares-1 passed its Preliminary Design Review, and design of the Ares-5 heavy lifter for subsequent Moon and Mars missions was modified to accommodate larger payloads. NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) contract with Rocketplane Kistler was cancelled, and replaced by a contract with Orbital Sciences, which plans a new Taurus-2 launcher for cargo deliveries to the International Space Station. Space Exploration Technologies (Space-X) still holds the other COTS contract. A third team led by PlanetSpace has also bid for the COTS delivery contract. Virgin Galactic unveiled models of the new SpaceShipTwo suborbital space- tourist vehicle and its WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, and rolled out the first operational WhiteKnightTwo. Testing of both craft were