Outer Space
Report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
European Global Navigation Satellite System and Copernicus
The Interoperable Global Navigation Satellite Systems Space Service Volume - Second Edition
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) which were originally designed to provide positioning velocity and timing services for terrestrial users are now increasingly utilized for autonomous navigation in space as well. Historically most space users have been located at low altitudes where GNSS signal reception is similar to that on the ground. More recently however users are relying on these signals at high altitudes near to or above the GNSS constellations themselves. The availability and performance of GNSS signals at high altitude is documented as the GNSS Space Service Volume (SSV). While different definitions of the SSV exist and may continue to exist for the different service providers within the context of this booklet it is defined as the region of space between 3000 km and 36000 km above the Earth’s surface which is the geostationary altitude. For space users located at low altitudes (below 3000 km) the GNSS signal reception is similar to that for terrestrial users and can be conservatively derived from the results presented for the lower SSV in this booklet.
Report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
The Interoperable Global Navigation Satellite Systems Space Service Volume
International Space Law
Report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Registration of Objects Launched Into Outer Space
The study examines the national approaches taken to implement the registration-related provisions of the United Nations Treaties Principles Guidelines and applicable resolutions. In doing so the Registration Project aims to create a baseline understanding of national approaches to registration empower new emerging or established space-faring nations to register satellites with the UN enhance international expertise and share knowledge good practices and lessons learned from national approaches. This study can inform future capacity-building activities or topics to be discussed within expert meetings of National Focal Points on Registration.
The Space4water Project: Building Bridges for Knowledge Exchange
Today humanity faces a plethora of challenges related to water. As an effect of drought some regions’ populations see their water reserves gradually but surely emptying. Around 40 per cent of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity. Elsewhere people suffer from flash floods rising sea levels or extreme weather. Rising sea levels affect agriculture livelihoods biodiversity and coastal habitats that are home to 900 million people. The next step in fully tapping the potential of space assets to improve life on Earth is to democratize access to these transformative tools and scale their application to benefit communities worldwide. In a world riddled with inequalities we cannot let the space sector become yet another field of persistent gaps among and within countries. To advance access to space solutions for addressing water challenges the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) launched a dedicated Space4Water project at the beginning of the Water Action Decade in 2018. The Project with its three pillars of conference series web portal and community building addresses knowledge exchange between scientific communities policymakers intergovernmental organizations the private sector civil society and the public. Through these efforts we are strengthening communities amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities connecting them with professionals with the technical background to address their issues and sharing a vast range of learning opportunities at different knowledge levels.
Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
The Earth’s orbital space environment constitutes a finite resource that is being used by an increasing number of States international intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental entities. The proliferation of space debris the increasing complexity of space operations the emergence of large constellations and the increased risks of collision and interference with the operation of space objects may affect the long-term sustainability of space activities. Addressing these developments and risks requires international cooperation by States and international intergovernmental organizations to avoid harm to the space environment and the safety of space operations
Near-Earth Objects and Planetary Defence
Forging global partnerships and building resilient societies through better coordination are among the key challenges of the twenty-first century. Given the global consequences of a near-Earth object (NEO) impact and the considerable resources required to prevent a collision the United Nations through its Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has been involved in the international discourse and dialogue on the topic of NEOs raising awareness and promoting global cooperation. Addressing such a hazard including the identification of objects that pose a threat of impact to Earth and planning a corresponding mitigation campaign require cooperative action in the interest of public safety on the part of the global community. Acting as a gateway to space in the United Nations system UNOOSA is uniquely positioned in intergovernmental cooperation and coordination on outer space activities and in the broader perspective of space security including the area of planetary defence. The Office supports and cooperates with two entities established in 2014: the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG). These two entities came into being through a series of recommendations for an international response to the threat of near-Earth object impact endorsed by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and ultimately recommended by the General Assembly. The aim of these recommendations is to address the global challenge posed by NEOs beginning with their detection and tracking and subsequently deflection and planetary defence.
Report of the group of governmental experts on transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities
Background material
Executive summary
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) which were originally designed to provide positioning velocity and timing services for terrestrial users are now increasingly utilized for autonomous navigation in space as well. Historically most space users have been located at low altitudes where GNSS signal reception is similar to that on the ground. More recently however users are relying on these signals at high altitudes near to or above the GNSS constellations themselves.
Acknowledgements
This booklet was published by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in its capacity as executive secretariat of ICG and its Providers’ Forum. Sincere thanks to all who have helped and who recognize the in-space advantages of the SSV specification and provide leadership in developing an SSV specification for the GNSS constellations.
Detailed simulation configuration and results
This chapter provides the full set of SSV simulation results as well as the configuration and methodology used to execute the simulations themselves. This information should allow the simulations to be independently implemented and the results to be independently reproduced.