UN space office says more countries than ever can now use space

Launching something beyond Earth was long reserved for a relatively small number of national space programmes, according to UN News. That is changing, the outlet reported on 6 October. Reusable rockets, commercial launch providers, start-ups, university teams and new national space actors are contributing to a rapidly evolving space sector, UN News said.

The shift is at the heart of this year's World Space Week theme, 'Rocket revolution', UN News reported. World Space Week has been marked annually from 4 to 10 October since 1999, according to the outlet. UN News said the theme explores how new technologies, falling launch costs and a growing range of actors are transforming access to space.

Aarti Holla-Maini, head of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), said more countries, institutions and communities than ever before now have the opportunity to use space for science, Earth observation (monitoring the planet from orbit), communications and solutions to challenges on Earth. UNOOSA supports initiatives to build the knowledge and skills needed to take part in the space sector, including Access to Space for All, the Global Space Law Project, Space4Women and Space4Youth, according to UN News.

UN News reported that a growing commercial space sector is creating opportunities for businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs. The outlet said countries are eager to join a global space economy on a trajectory towards becoming a trillion-dollar industry by 2030. For countries and communities that have historically had fewer opportunities to take part in space activities, UN News said this growth is opening pathways to build expertise, develop local space industries and benefit from the expanding space economy.

UN News reported that access is not only about who can launch a rocket, but about who has the knowledge, skills, infrastructure and opportunities to participate in the space sector. The outlet said UNOOSA helps emerging space nations, institutions and individuals in developing countries gain access to space-related technologies, facilities and research opportunities.

UN News reported that a changing space sector has brought new questions about how activities beyond Earth are governed. The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), established in 1959, is the UN body charged with promoting international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space, according to UN News. The outlet described COPUOS as the world's leading multilateral forum for space governance, meaning the main setting where many countries discuss the issue together.