 |
 |
||
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
From the Executive DirectorFrom Vienna to the Moon
February 22 , 2007 Our International Lunar Decade proposal is now before the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). I've just presented it to COPUOS here at their Vienna meeting and made the point again that going to the Moon and exploring other worlds inspires hope for the future, even while this COPUOS meeting focuses on space applications to deal with problems on Earth. We see the value of such inspiration in the emergence of national lunar missions from new spacefaring countries. My International Lunar Decade (ILD) presentation fit into the agenda as part of the discussion of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) of 2007. At the UN meeting, I saw scores of exhibits from more than 70 nations describing their participation in the IHY, which cover all physical processes "under the Sun," including the entire solar system. In view of the meeting's emphasis on space applications, I was uncertain how my presentation would be received by the more than 100 delegates and observers in attendance. Mine was the only exploration topic presented during the two weeks. However, I was gratified to hear spontaneous applause at the conclusion, when I emphasized the inspirational value of space exploration for the social, educational, and political goals of nations, and the opportunity presented to the international community by the spate of lunar missions planned worldwide. The Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms. Mazlan Othman of Malaysia and Chair of COPUOS, Dr. Gerard Brachet of France were very supportive. While we seek support for the International Lunar Decade in international forums, the burden of leadership will probably fall on the space agencies conducting lunar missions and serving as national centers for aerospace interest. Later this year, China and Japan are expected to launch the first in the new wave of lunar missions. I hear some distant drumbeats that the Chinese mission may be delayed several months. This would be no surprise for delays in the space business are routine. Whenever the Chinese do launch, and Japan, India, and the U.S. follow with their missions in the next two years, and we will see international cooperation opportunities in space exploration. With ILD, we are getting ready for those opportunities. The Society's International Lunar Decade is supported, in part, by the Secure World Foundation, "promoting the development of a secure world through open dialogue and systematic investigation of long-term solutions." -- Louis Friedman Comments? We welcome your opinions on this subject. Send us email! |
||||||
 |
 |
||||||
[ what is this? ]