From Monday, February 6, to Friday, February 17, the United States will join delegations from around the world to discuss scientific and technical aspects of outer space activity and international space cooperation at the 60th session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC).
COPUOS was set up by the General Assembly in 1959. Since its establishment, the Committee’s membership has continued to expand. The Committee is the only committee of the General Assembly dealing exclusively with international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and its role as a forum to monitor and discuss developments related to the exploration and use of outer space has evolved alongside with the technical advancements in space exploration, geopolitical changes, and the evolving use of space science and technology for sustainable development.
The overall mandate of the Committee and its two Subcommittees aims at strengthening the international legal regime governing outer space, resulting in improved conditions for expanding international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The mandate also specifies that the Committee should supports efforts at the national, regional and global levels, including those of entities of the United Nations system and international space-related entities, to maximize the benefits of the use of space science and technology and their applications. Overall, the Committee aims to increase coherence and synergy in international cooperation in space activities at all levels.
STSC meets every year for two weeks to discuss questions related to the scientific and technical aspects of space activities. Topics for discussion include space weather, near-Earth objects, the use of space technology for socioeconomic development, or for disaster management support, global navigation satellite systems, and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Fostering a safe, sustainable space environment that facilitates scientific discovery, drives opportunity, creates prosperity, and ensures security on Earth and in space is in the interest of all nations. As such, Kevin Conole, Senior Program Specialist in the Office of International and Interagency Relations at NASA, will lead the U.S. delegation to the 60th STSC, at the Vienna International Center, in Vienna, Austria.
To learn more, please view a full list of U.S. statements delivered at the 60th STSC below.
- US National Statement as Delivered by Ambassador Laura S.H. Holgate – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 3 – General Exchange of Views (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Kevin Conole – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 6 – Matters Related to Remote Sensing (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Kevin Conole – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 7 – Space Debris (PDF)
- US Statment as Prepared for Ashley VanderLey – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 17 – Dark and Quiet Skies (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Kevin Conole – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 11 – Near-Earth Objects (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Dr. Ryan Guglietta – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 9 – Global Navigation Satellite Systems (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Dr. Ryan Guglietta – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 10 – Space Weather (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Kevin Conole – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 15 – Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Kevin Conole – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 13 – Future role and method of work of the Committee (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Dr. Ryan Guglietta – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 12 – LTS (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Caitlin Poling – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 8 – Disaster Management Support (PDF)
- US Statement as Prepared for Caitlin Poling – Feb 2023 COPUOS STSC Agenda Item 14 – Space and Global Health (PDF)