UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS (UNOOSA)

28th June, 2023 Science and Technology

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Context

Indian-origin satellite industry expert Aarti Holla-Maini will take over as Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in Vienna.

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

About

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is an office of the U.N. Secretariat.

Aim

It promotes and facilitates peaceful international cooperation in outer space.
It works to establish or strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks for space activities and assists developing countries in using space science and technology for sustainable socioeconomic development.

Establishment

The Office was established in 1958 to assist and advise the ad hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which was established by the UN General Assembly to discuss the scientific and legal aspects of exploring and using outer space to benefit humankind.

Headquarters

Vienna, Austria

Mandate

UNOOSA works primarily to implement the decisions of the UN General Assembly and of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
As the secretariat of COPUOS, the Office is responsible for helping implement the major international treaties, legal principles, and General Assembly resolutions that together comprise space law.
Other duties include advising governments and nongovernmental organizations on space law; maintaining a registry of vessels and objects launched into space; convening forums to discuss various space-related matters; and sponsoring programmes that provide access to space technology.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

TREATY TO ENSURE PEACE & SECURITY IN OUTER SPACE:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/treaty-to-ensure-peace-security-in-outer-space

SPACE SUSTAINABILITY:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/space-sustainiability

SPACE DEBRIS:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/space-debris-28

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) implements the decisions of UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

2. It is responsible for helping implement the major international treaties, legal principles, and General Assembly resolutions that together comprise space law.

3. The Headquarters of United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is situated in Geneva, Switzerland.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2, and 3 only

(d) None of the above.

Correct Answer: (c) 3 only