Outer space sub-committee considers satellite and spacecraft issues.

Outer Space Sub-committee considers satellite and spacecraft issues

The need to assist developing countries in obtaining data on remote sensing of the earth from outer space and continuing concern about use of the geostationary orbit were among the main issues raised by the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at its 1986 session (10-21 February, New York).

The implications of space transportation systems and the importance of enhancing the safety of space objects with nuclear power sources aboard were among other matters considered by the 53-member body. Also reviewed were developments in the United Nations Programme on Space Applications and implementation of recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE 82).

The Sub-Committee agreed to a proposal by 11 nations, mostly from the West, to place two new items-- planetary exploration and astronomy --on the agenda of its 1987 session, to be held from 17 to 27 February, with the theme "Space communications for development'.

Action was postponed on a proposal by some socialist countries to create machinery to promote exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and to draw up international agreements on non-deployment of weapons of any kind in outer space and the non-use of force in outer space and from outer space against the earth.

During debate, several of these nations expressed concern over what they saw as efforts to militarize space, especially through the United States Strategic Defense Initiative, which many countries refer to as "Star Wars'. They urged support for what the Soviet Union calls its "Star Peace' programme as a way to promote peaceful international co-operation in outer space.

Other speakers took the view that arms control issues were, as the United Kingdom put it, "well outside' the mandate of the Outer Space Committee and its Sub-Committee. The work of the Sub-Committee could not succeed, the United States said, if countries insisted on raising disarmament matters and disarmament proposals.

Remote sensing: Receiving special attention at the 1986 session was the topic, "Remote sensing for developing countries'. "Remote sensing' refers to the detection and analysis of the earth and its resources by sensors, usually satellites, in outer space. In conjunction with the Sub-Committee's consideration of the subject, a symposium on scientific...