artificial space debris

1
used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it shall not become an arena for an arms race; 3. Emphasizes that further measures with appropriate and effective provisions for verification to prevent an arms race in outer space should be adopted by the international community; 4. Calls upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and to take immediate measures to prevent an arms race in outer space in the interest of maintaining international peace and secur- ity and promoting international co- operation and understanding; 5. Recognizes, as stated in the report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Conference on Disarmament, that the legal r6gime applicable to outer space, as such, is not sufficient to guarantee the prevention of an arms race in outer space, the significant role that r6gime plays in the prevention of an arms race in that environment, the need to consolidate and reinforce that r6gime and to enhance its effectiveness, and the importance of strict compliance with ex- isting agreements, both bilateral and multi- lateral; 6. Reiterates that the Conference on Disarmament, as single multilateral dis- armament negotiating forum, has the prim- ary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements, as appropriate, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects; 7. Requests the Conference on Dis- armament to consider as a matter of priority the question of preventing an arms race in outer space; 8. Also requests the Conference on Disarmament to intensify its consideration of the question of the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, taking into account all relevant proposals, including those presented in the Ad Hoc Committee on the prevention of an arms race in outer space at the 1987 session of the Conference and at the forty-second session of the General Assembly; 9. Further requests the Conference on Disarmament to re-establish an ad hoc committee with an adequate mandate at the beginning of its 1988 session, with a view to undertaking negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement or agreements, as appropriate, to prevent an arms race in outer space in all its aspects; 10. Urges the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of Amer- ica to pursue intensively their bilateral negotiations in a constructive spirit aimed at reaching early agreement for preventing an arms race in outer space, and to advise the Conference on Disarmament periodi- cally of the progress of their bilateral sessions so as to facilitate its work; 11. Calls upon all States, especially those with major space capabilities, to refrain, in their activities relating to outer space, from actions contrary to the observance of the relevant existing treaties or to the objective of preventing an arms race in outcr space; 12. Takes note that the study of disarma- ment problems relating to outer space and the consequence of extending the arms race into outer space, called for in resolu- tion 41/53, has been prepared by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and that, after a final meeting of the group of experts held in September 1987, the report was finalized and being prepared for publication in autumn 1987; 13. Requests the Secretary-General to invite the views of Member States on all Documentation~Publications aspects of the question of the prevention of an arms race in outer space and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session; 14. Requests the Conference on Dis- armament to report on its consideration of this subject to the General Assembly at its forty-third session; 15. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Conference on Disarma- ment all documents relating to the consid- eration of this subject by the General Assembly at its forty-second session; 16. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled 'Prevention of an arms race in outer space'. 1Resolution 2222 (XXI), annex. 2Resolution S-10/2. 3See A/41/697-S/18392, annex, paras 36- 39. 4 See Report of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peace- ful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 9-21 August 1982, A/CONF.101/10 and Corr.1 and 2, para 426. 5The Committee on Disarmament was redesignated the Conference on Dis- armament as from 7 February 1984. 6A/40/1070, annex. 7 0fficial Records of the General Assembly, Forty-second Session, Supplement No. 27, A/42/27, sect III.E. Source: Resolution adopted by the General Asscmbly (on the report of the First Committee (A/42/745)), United Nations General Assembly, Forty-second Session, agenda item 56, 84th Plenary Meeting, 30 November 1987, Document no A/RES/42/ 33 (22 December 1987), New York. Publications Artificial Space Debris" by Nicholas L. Johnson and Darren S. McKnight (Orbit Book Company, Malaber, FL, 1987, Ill+ix pp, $34.50) This book aims to raise awareness of the growing hazard presented by artificial space debris. Following a detailed analysis of the position and nature of currently orbiting debris, the authors discuss the legal and technical issues involved in clean- ing up the outer space environment. British Space Policy and International Col- laboration by James Eberle and Helen Wallace (Routeledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1987, 72+xiii pp, £6.95) A paper prepared as part of the five-nation study on European space policy, which identifies the development of British think- ing and policy about space as an aspect of international relations. It examines both civilian and military elements, with their foreign policy implications, technological complementarities and economic consequ- ences. Commercialization of Space by L.B. Taylor Jr (Franklin Watts, New York, 1987, 126 pp, $11.90) This book for young people examines the potential for private enterprise in space. After discussing the history of space opera- tions it looks at current commercial activi- ties in space and future plans in areas like materials processing, pharmaceuticals, energy production and mining. Deep Black: The Secrets of Space Espion- age by William E. Burrows (Bantam Press, London, 1988, 401+xvii pp, £14.95) This beok reveals some of the astonishing capabilities of space-based intelligence sys- tems. In discussing whether or not it is possible adequately to verify arms control treaties, the author argues that wider pub- lic knowledge of the workings of space espionage is in the interest of a truer kind of national security. Economics and Technology in US Space Policy edited by Molly K. Macauley (Re- sources for the Future, Washington, 1987, 270+xii pp, $15.00) The proceedings of a symposium held in Washington, 24-25 June 1986. Following an overview advocating a partnership be- tween economics and technology, papers cover productive activities associated with space; the role of government in space activities; the global context; and the need for a rational analysis of the US space programme. Europe's Future in Space, a joint policy report by Clingendael, DGAP, IA1, IFI, IFR, RIIA (Routeledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1988, 224+xv pp, £9.95) This report sets out the current and likely SPACE POLICY May 1988 175

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Page 1: Artificial space debris

used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it shall not become an arena for an arms race;

3. Emphasizes that further measures with appropriate and effective provisions for verification to prevent an arms race in outer space should be adopted by the international communi ty ;

4. Calls upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and to take immediate measures to prevent an arms race in outer space in the interest of maintaining international peace and secur- ity and p r o m o t i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l co- operation and unders tanding;

5. Recognizes, as stated in the report of the Ad Hoc Commit tee of the Conference on Disa rmament , that the legal r6gime applicable to outer space, as such, is not sufficient to guarantee the prevention of an arms race in outer space, the significant role that r6gime plays in the prevention of an arms race in that environment , the need to consolidate and reinforce that r6gime and to enhance its effectiveness, and the importance of strict compliance with ex- isting agreements , both bilateral and multi- lateral;

6. Reiterates that the Conference on Disa rmament , as single multilateral dis- a rmament negotiating forum, has the prim- ary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements , as appropriate, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects;

7. Requests the Conference on Dis- a rmament to consider as a mat ter of priority the question of preventing an arms race in outer space;

8. Also requests the Conference on Disa rmament to intensify its consideration

of the question of the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, taking into account all relevant proposals, including those presented in the Ad Hoc Commit tee on the prevention of an arms race in outer space at the 1987 session of the Conference and at the forty-second session of the General Assembly;

9. Further requests the Conference on Di sa rmament to re-establish an ad hoc commit tee with an adequate mandate at the beginning of its 1988 session, with a view to undertaking negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement or agreements , as appropriate, to prevent an arms race in outer space in all its aspects;

10. Urges the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of Amer- ica to pursue intensively their bilateral negotiations in a constructive spirit aimed at reaching early agreement for preventing an arms race in outer space, and to advise the Conference on Disa rmament periodi- cally of the progress of their bilateral sessions so as to facilitate its work;

11. Calls upon all States, especially those with major space capabilities, to refrain, in their activities relating to outer space, from actions contrary to the observance of the relevant existing treaties or to the objective of preventing an arms race in outcr space;

12. Takes note that the study of disarma- ment problems relating to outer space and the consequence of extending the arms race into outer space, called for in resolu- tion 41/53, has been prepared by the United Nations Institute for Disa rmament Research and that, after a final meeting of the group of experts held in September 1987, the report was finalized and being prepared for publication in au tumn 1987;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to invite the views of Member States on all

Documentation~Publications

aspects of the question of the prevention of an arms race in outer space and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session;

14. Requests the Conference on Dis- a rmament to report on its consideration of this subject to the General Assembly at its forty-third session;

15. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Conference on Disarma- ment all documents relating to the consid- eration of this subject by the General Assembly at its forty-second session;

16. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled 'Prevention of an arms race in outer space' .

1Resolution 2222 (XXI), annex. 2Resolution S-10/2. 3See A/41/697-S/18392, annex, paras 36- 39. 4 See Report of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peace- ful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 9-21 August 1982, A/CONF.101/10 and Corr.1 and 2, para 426. 5The Committee on Disarmament w a s

redesignated the Conference on Dis- armament as from 7 February 1984. 6A/40/1070, annex. 7 0fficial Records of the General Assembly, Forty-second Session, Supplement No. 27, A/42/27, sect III.E.

Source: Resolution adopted by the General Asscmbly (on the report of the First Commit tee (A/42/745)), United Nations General Assembly , Forty-second Session, agenda item 56, 84th Plenary Meeting, 30 November 1987, Document no A/RES/42/ 33 (22 December 1987), New York.

Publications Artificial Space Debris" by Nicholas L. Johnson and Darren S. McKnight (Orbit Book Company , Malaber, FL, 1987, I l l + i x pp, $34.50) This book aims to raise awareness of the growing hazard presented by artificial space debris. Following a detailed analysis of the position and nature of currently orbiting debris, the authors discuss the legal and technical issues involved in clean- ing up the outer space environment .

British Space Policy and International Col- laboration by James Eberle and Helen Wallace (Routeledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1987, 72+xiii pp, £6.95) A paper prepared as part of the five-nation study on European space policy, which identifies the development of British think- ing and policy about space as an aspect of

international relations. It examines both civilian and military elements , with their foreign policy implications, technological complementar i t ies and economic consequ- ences.

Commercialization of Space by L.B. Taylor Jr (Franklin Watts , New York, 1987, 126 pp, $11.90) This book for young people examines the potential for private enterprise in space. After discussing the history of space opera- tions it looks at current commercial activi- ties in space and future plans in areas like materials processing, pharmaceuticals, energy production and mining.

Deep Black: The Secrets of Space Espion- age by William E. Burrows (Bantam Press, London, 1988, 401+xvii pp, £14.95) This beok reveals some of the astonishing capabilities of space-based intelligence sys- tems. In discussing whether or not it is possible adequately to verify arms control

treaties, the author argues that wider pub- lic knowledge of the workings of space espionage is in the interest of a truer kind of national security.

Economics and Technology in US Space Policy edited by Molly K. Macauley (Re- sources for the Future, Washington, 1987, 270+xii pp, $15.00) The proceedings of a symposium held in Washington, 24-25 June 1986. Following an overview advocating a partnership be- tween economics and technology, papers cover productive activities associated with space; the role of government in space activities; the global context; and the need for a rational analysis of the US space programme.

Europe's Future in Space, a joint policy report by Clingendael, D G A P , IA1, IFI, IFR, RI IA (Routeledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1988, 224+xv pp, £9.95) This report sets out the current and likely

SPACE POLICY May 1988 175