COPUOS BACKGROUND GUIDE CHAIRS ISHIKA JHA KATHERINE GEHRING LEXINGTON 1
Introduction: By 1957, in the midst of the Cold War, the world s first ever artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched on behalf of the Soviet Union s space program. the Space Age had officially commenced. Before Sputnik 1 had even finished its three-month orbits, the Soviet Union had already sent up Sputnik 2 carrying the first animal in space, a dog named Laila. The United States responded only a few months later, in early January of 1958, by sending up their satellite, Explorer I, marking the real beginning of the Space Age. After the launch of Sputnik I, the Committee of Peaceful Uses of Space (COPUOS) was created by the United Nations in December 1959. COPUOS is made up of two sub-committees: the Scientific, and the Technical and Legal subcommittee. Both committees promote international cooperation, discuss legal matters in outer space, and organize the sharing and distributing of global information on developments in space research and technology. In recent years, outer space, the final frontier, has opened up for mankind to explore more than ever before, made possible by the constant evolution of technology. On April 12, 1961, the first human spaceflight was completed by Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union and just a few years later, on July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 accomplished the first of six US moon landings. However, space progress has not passed without immense costs or certain drawbacks. Nevertheless, this progress has not come without risks or immense costs. As a result of all this activity, space has become increasingly crowded and competitive, and new interests have begun to control the push for space activity. Recently, fear about extraterrestrial forces and the growth of conflicts between countries has led to an increasing interest in space militarization. An added concern over the sustainability of Earth s resources has led to the interest in space colonization. However, there are many different treaties and policies putting action on standstill, and they must be overcome to make progress in these areas. 2
History of UN Policy on Outer Space: The Outer Space Treaty: The first real treaty constructed by COPUOS, the Outer Space Treaty, was adopted into the General Assembly in 1967 and was the first treaty that attempted to implement international relations between member states with regards to the uses of outer space. The treaty includes the following components: prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in Earth s orbit, on the Moon or any other celestial body, or otherwise in outer space; limits the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes; prohibits the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies for testing weapons of any kind, conducting military maneuvers, or establishing military bases, installations, and fortifications; does not prohibit placement of conventional weapons in orbit, leaving some destructive attack strategies (like kinetic bombardment) allowable; the exploration of space should be done to benefit all countries; space is open for exploration and use by all the states; forbids government to claim celestial resources such as the Moon or a planet, and they are not subject by a claim of sovereignty by any means; the state that launches a space object retains jurisdiction and control over that object; states are also liable for the damage caused by its space object(s); and states shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies Space Liability Convention: The Space Liability Convention is a treaty from 1972 that expands on the liability rules in the Outer Space Treaty. The only claim filed under the Convention occurred after the 1978 crash of the nuclear-powered Soviet satellite Kosmos 954 in Canadian territory. Components of the treaty include: states bear international responsibility for all space objects launched within their territory and are fully liable to damages that result from said space object; in the case of two states working together, both states are jointly liable for the damage caused by the object; and the state must only bring claims against another state, not an individual level 3
Registration Convention: The Registration Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in 1974 and was put in force in 1976. It arose from the increasing presence of dead satellites in space, which if allowed to continue, could lead to the damage or loss of a spacecraft. The components of the treaty are as follows: requires states to inform the United Nations with details about the orbit of each space object specific criteria of data are required to be reported: Coordinated Universal Time for reference of the launch date useful information relating to the function of the space object orbit location change of status in operations approximate date of decay or re-entry Topic A - Space Militarization: Since the 20th century, the development of military technology and weaponry in outer space has been a controversial field of innovation and pressing issue for international legislative bodies. Starting in the space race between the US and the USSR, advancing nuclear technology and creating systems to monitor foreign extraterrestrial activity. Following the cold war the demand for space militarization has dissipated after the construction of The Outer Space Treaty in 1967, and most weaponry has been dismantled, leaving only spy satellites in military use for communication purposes. However, a second world arms race may be on the rise. In recent news, the topic of space militarization is now being discussed among current world leaders. China has begun testing anti-satellite and anti-ballistic missile systems that could potentially destroy US satellites, while Russia is in the works of hypersonic glide vehicle that can avoid radar and anti-missile defenses. North Korea and India are testing systems such as lasers that fry or dazzle satellites, space-borne electromagnetic pulse weapons that can knock out power grids, and satellites that maneuver in orbit and target each other. Meanwhile, the US Air Force has been flying a secretive unmanned space plane into orbit and testing hypersonic weapons that could strike targets worldwide. 4
CONTINUED: While the current treaties in place prevent weapons of mass destruction in orbit, they don t explicitly apply to conventional weapons in space, or weapons fired from Earth into space. Efforts have been made to strengthen space nonproliferation laws have been failing, and the United States refused to support a Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space resolution in the United Nations, only strengthening the tensions among powers. There are doubts about the current treaties in place being able to continue the prohibition of space militarization and many are calling for provisions to be made. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. Should conventional weapons be prohibited for use on extraterrestrial borders? 2. Do the current treaties in place still hold their legitimacy? 3. What steps should be taken to avoid a second arms race amongst international superpowers? TOPIC B - SPACE COLONIZATION: Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, scientists have been exploring the possibility of permanent human habitation off of planet earth. The concept was only science fiction up until the establishment of the National Space Society, an organization that has been promoting space settlement since the 1970s. Following their lead, the private organization SpaceX, among others, was founded by Elon Musk with the goal of improving access to space and enable the establishment of a colony on Mars. There are many debates about whether space colonization is a matter worth pursuing. Some believe it is necessary to ensure the survival of human civilization in the event of a planetary-scale disaster, while others are motivated to obtain the resources in space that could enable expansion of human society. Colonists in space would mine the Moon or other minor planets and build beamed power satellites that would supplement or even replace power plants on the Earth. The colonists could also take advantage of the plentiful raw materials, unlimited solar power, vacuum, and microgravity in other ways to experiment and create products that have never been possible on Earth before. 5
However, some argue that colonizing space is not worth the massive amounts of funds needed for its research and execution and even debate that the effort to increase our stock of resources will backfire, and ultimately be a hazardous waste to our already limited supply. Building colonies would require access to water, food, space, people, construction materials, energy, transportation, communications, life support, simulated gravity, radiation protection, and capital investment for a successful venture in space. Along with concerns about funding, the Outer Space Treaty places complications on the topic of space colonization as the treaty prohibits governments to claim celestial resources and prohibits claims of sovereignty by any means. As of 2017, the treaty has 89 signatory states. Only 13 of those countries currently have launch capability, with five more agencies expected to follow: a Pan-Arab League group based in the UAE, an African Union group, a South American group, one stationed in the Philippines, and one in Sri Lanka. If changes occur that loosens regulation and allows a sudden expansion of access, those 13 will benefit above everyone else, especially those without any space programs at all. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. How can space colonization bypass the limitations placed on it by the Treaty? 2. What steps should be taken to help countries without developed space programs catch up? How can we prevent their falling behind? 3. How will space colonization be funded? KEEP READING 6
BLOC POSITIONS: The following section is to give an idea of how blocs are likely to form regarding these issues. These are only guidelines, countries will likely shift alliances as the situation unfolds, based on ideology, self-interest, and what comes up during debate. United States: since modern technology, the United States has been the most successful and progressive nation in this field possesses more military satellites and space arms than any other nation in the world, but with a quickly closing gap wary of other nations (China, India, Russia) advancing to overtake the U.S. space program does not necessarily look favorably upon further limitations and regulations concerning developing, possessing, and using space arms and satellites China: has seen substantial developments in its space capabilities in the Post-Cold War era, possesses advanced technologies such as ICBMs and ASATs wishes to continue its progress in its space militarization efforts and develop its programs wants to limit the United States power and influence in space Russian Federation: one of the world s leaders in space technology similar to U.S. and China, Russia has militarized space and possesses a substantial space arsenal sees the United States as its main rival and threat, and will be looking to curb American influence in space 7
European Union: EU countries are active in space and have significant interest and influence in the international decisions made regarding space weaponization advocate for a more refined code of conduct to maintain safety and peace in space these nations are usually allied with the United States The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are the nations in this bloc that are the most active in space and have the most substantial space arsenals Nations with Developing Space Programs: many other nations have grown regarding space technology in satellite launch capability, substantial space intelligence, and in some cases, nuclear arsenals include India, Japan, Israel, and Canada have varying foreign policies, but want a level of freedom to develop space programs further Nations without Space Technology: many countries lack the space capabilities of the previously mentioned blocs but are still relevant to the topic are highly concerned about the potential harms of the weaponization of space, and thus would be supportive of tighter regulations or a ban on space weapons and technologies to prevent an arms race KEEP READING 8
COMMITTEE PROCEDURE: This committee will follow standard parliamentary procedure, as explained below. Roll Call The initial business for COPUOS will be a roll call to ascertain which delegates are present. Chairs will read alphabetically through a list of delegate positions and ask for the delegate to raise their placard and respond with present, or present and voting. Delegates that respond with present and voting are required to vote for or against all following motions, and are not able to abstain from a vote. Delegates that respond with present are however able to abstain on motions. Delegates arriving late or after the initial roll call should communicate their arrival to the chair via note as soon as possible. Opening Debate and Agenda At the start of the committee, prior to opening debate, motions must be made to set the agenda. A majority is required for the agenda to be set and the motion to be passed. If the motion passes, debate opens. If the motion fails, the proceedings above repeat until the agenda has been decided. Speakers List After debate has opened, a speakers list with a set time for speaking will be established. Delegates wishing to speak will raise their placards, and chairs will choose delegates to be placed on the speakers list. When the speakers list has been exhausted, the committee will move into voting procedure. 9
Moderated Caucus A motion for a moderated caucus should be accompanied by a suggested speaking time and caucus length, as well as a purpose. When the motion for a moderated caucus is passed, the chair calls upon delegates with their placards raised to speak and address the committee for the set amount of time. Unmoderated Caucus A motion for an unmoderated caucus must also be accompanied by a suggested time for the caucus and a purpose. In an unmoderated caucus, rules of procedure are temporarily suspended. Delegates are able to talk informally during this time to discuss positions and resolutions. Resolutions Delegates should work together in order to write a resolution which demonstrates familiarity with the problem, acknowledgment of the issues, proper form, and ways to deal with the problem. The resolutions should be broken into a heading, preambles, and operative clauses, as well as obtain the proper amount of sponsors and signatories as directed by the chairs. Resolutions should be presented in formal debate. If necessary, delegates may choose to change the resolutions by adding amendments if necessary. Friendly Amendments An amendment to a resolution is called friendly if it sponsored by all of the resolution s sponsors, and is immediately added to the text. Unfriendly Amendments An amendment that is not sponsored by all of the resolution s sponsors is considered an unfriendly amendment. An unfriendly amendment can only be added to the resolution if it passed by the rest of the committee. 10
Voting A delegate is only able to abstain from voting if they answered present instead of present and voting during roll call. No delegates are able to abstain from a procedural vote. A simple majority is defined as a vote where more are voting in favor than against. A two-thirds majority vote is one in which twice as many states are voting in favor as against. Only a simple majority is required for a resolution or a procedural motion to be passed. Point of Personal Privilege If a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their ability to participate, the delegate may bring up a point of personal privilege. The chairs will then take the necessary steps to ratify the situation. Point of Order This point should be used by a delegate to bring any procedural errors to the attention of the committee and chairs. This point should be made at the same time of the error, and is dilatory after other actions have already taken place. Point of Parliamentary Procedure Delegates may raise a point of parliamentary procedure if they wish for a procedural question to be clarified for the rest of the committee. Sources: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/spacelaw/outerspt.html https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/28/opinions/race-to-militarize-space-pedreira/index.html https://theweek.com/articles/808840/colonization-space https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/hqlibrary/pathfinders/colony.htm https://space.nss.org/space-colonization-and-the-space-movement/ http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/spacelaw/liability.html http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introregistration-convention.html https://aerospace.org/story/brief-history-space-exploration https://www.spacex.com/about http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/outer_space 11
Positions: United States Russia Ukraine China India South Africa Japan Denmark Canada France Germany Italy Netherlands Sweden United Kingdom Israel Chile Brazil Nigeria Ghana Egypt Israel South Korea North Korea Iran 12