UNOOSA and the importance of space agencies- Peter Ivanov

Since the beginning of space activities, governments, academics, and industries have been able to engage with The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to formulate policies and laws and establish carefully curated partnerships across borders.

In recent years, such collaboration has resulted in a collective ambition called the 2030 Agenda, a manifesto created by the UN for the betterment of our world.

It is a plan for “people, planet, and prosperity” which, according to some experts including Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA, will need space technologies to succeed.

These days, space technologies are protecting us, providing vital services, and monitoring the health of our planet. Satellite imagery, for example, can give us crucial insights into changes in climate that may result in forest fires and floods, allowing us to get ahead of the curve.

We can also monitor the polar ice caps, the ocean, farming conditions, livestock, and almost every other important facet of global health that we can.

Solving the technical challenges of space, people start a chain reaction of innovation and implementation on Earth. From improved aerospace and maritime precision equipment to weather safety and improved medical equipment, space technologies are improving our quality of life every day.

As described by Simonetta Di Pippo in an interview with UN News: “If we are able to demonstrate that space activities are really part of our day-to-day life, and the quality of life on Earth is improving thanks to space activities and space-based data, and what we are able to do in terms of putting a lot of different players together, this can help governments to become partners in this process and also developing countries to be able to get more advantages and more benefits from the use of space-related technologies on Earth.”

UNOOSA: Give It A Try

Space agencies worldwide are now required to muster every effort to create sustainable, eco-friendly space technologies. The speed with which we are putting objects into orbit is increasing at an exponential rate thanks to breakthroughs in satellite, rocket, and fuel sciences; here’s a look at some of the more recent efforts undertaken around the world.

NASA has produced a huge amount of technology for space that is now transforming and improving our world. In the pursuit of discovering life support for long missions into deep space, the agency began tapping into bacteria as a renewable energy source, which is apparently highly efficient and also ‘cleans’ up the environment as it goes along.

In short, “biologically assisted electrolysis” is the process of microbes generating electricity as they break down the waste found in polluted water, which in turn releases carbon dioxide.

In this process, other exoelectrogenic bacteria can feed on that electricity and carbon dioxide, producing methane, and this methane can be used for power. Fast forward a few years, and this product is being used by major food and beverage companies to clear up their wastewater facilities and power further operations.

NASA also provides satellite imagery that tackles forest fires by predicting the risk areas and spotting them when they happen, so much so that these systems can spot conditions that indicate a potential fire in the rainforest, and that is just one example.

Countries in the Asian and Pacific regions are taking geospatial technologies to respond to challenges here on earth. These satellites are even being used to monitor, control and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. Using “night-light” satellite imagery, the impacts of lockdowns can be observed in real-time, allowing targeted action to support vulnerable communities who may be more at risk due to socio-economic circumstances.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently approved new proposals for the Copernicus program, Europe’s foremost Earth observation project to date. As per the news, the ESA will have an expanded budget to place a ‘network’ of satellites in orbit to track carbon dioxide emissions and take action.

Green Space for UK?

The UK does not stay aside from ecological concerns. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) was the recipient of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Award. This is thanks to the UKSA’s ongoing commitment and innovative use of Earth observation and satellite technologies, from tackling the spread of malaria to human trafficking and forced labour as part of their International Partnership Programme (IPP) which began in 2016.

IPP gives focus to bringing the UKSA’s tech innovations to countries all around the world. Reportedly, the programme has funded a large number of projects across 44 countries through building relationships with more than 120 space-sector organizations and over 140 organizations in developing countries.

The £30 million a year IPP works to bring sustainable economic and societal benefits to emerging markets and economies worldwide, from developing affordable and clean energy products in Seychelles to providing e-health solutions for medical workers in remote areas of Nigeria. It’s hard to keep up with all these developments.

At the same time, there are some space initiatives that stimulate additional pressure from environmental activists whatsoever. Space Hub Sutherland in Scotland is the project aimed to create infrastructure for own UK space launches. It is being implemented by Forres-based company Orbex, and occasionally protest groups such as Protect the Mhoine voice fears against the impact the spaceport will have for nature.

Commercial Sector Takes the Lead

The commercial space sector is blossoming into maturity, and as such, many UK-based companies are working to deliver ‘greener’ initiatives alongside respective agencies and governments. Here’re some examples:

4 Earth Intelligence – This firm uses satellite imagery to gather data for governments, companies, and academics, notably in the realm of disaster recovery, habitat mapping, and air quality monitoring.

Skyrora – With vertical test launch sites being developed in Scotland, Skyrora works hard to become one of the most sustainable rocket/small-satellite-launching in the world. They are producing reusable rocket parts and working on ways to convert plastics into an eco-power source.

Spire – With maritime, aviation, and weather monitoring at the core of the firm’s offerings, the company uses satellites to collect big data on the above areas, providing crucial real-time information to these endeavours.

Open Cosmos – This project focuses on tackling “Earth’s biggest problems from space” through satellite data and providing services for space missions, such as design, manufacturing, insurance, and compliance, etc. The firm is increasingly working with the global community for the betterment of Earth.

The Value of Cooperation

Collaboration is one of the constants that run through the successes of the space industry. In almost every facet of this industry, working with other nations, governments, and companies is conducive to success.

Alone, governments and companies won’t be able to manage environmental issues. Though, with these entities and others, such as businesses, NGOs, and academics, space projects for the greater good can come to fruition.

One only has to look at the IPP projects conducted by the UKSA to see just how beneficial space technology is for pretty much everyone and anyone on Earth. With sustainability at the centre of space-related projects, we’re going to be reaping the benefits of space tech. At the same time, we’ll be able to do so knowing that it was done in the greenest way possible, making the future all that bit brighter.

About the author: Peter Ivanov

Fintech and innovations analytic and strategist with a background in international companies. Until 2020 worked for UK-based cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO, and before that – for Amsterdam-based VEON—a telecommunications services company with subsidiaries in 10 markets across the EMEA region. CIPR (Chartered Institute for Public Relations) certified strategist with over 10 years of experience in multiple markets.

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