Session
Technical Session XII: Next Generation
Abstract
An international effort is underway to produce the first satellite in the history of the United Nations. The idea of the preparation and launch, with the endorsement of the UNESCO branch of the United Nations, of an international satellite to promote science education, public awareness of science, and international co-operation in the basic sciences, was presented by the National Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO to the UNESCO basic sciences committee. The General Conference of UNESCO at its 35th session in October 2009 approved an amendment to the UNESCO draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 concerning the project. The launch vehicle and a 100 kilogram satellite platform will be provided by Russia. Payloads will be provided on the basis of international cooperation including several from American universities. Available payload mass is approximately 30kg. Anticipated goals of the project include opportunities to inform and inspire younger students and the public about space missions and the benefits they bring to the world; assist in science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the developing world; provide international student payload opportunities; and to highlight the benefits and importance of satellites and space for the general public. Student groups are being sought from around the world to assist in developing payloads, education programs, developing ground stations and other associated areas. One payload, defined thus far, is a remote sensing system to assist students in understanding resource management, science opportunities from space and crop health in their own regions of the world. Images will be able to be requested by participating student groups and then downloaded by their own ground stations or the internet. These images can be used both for educational programs and also to assist in food production and Earth resource management locally. Activities to provide information on the project to a wide range of institutions, partner organizations and sponsoring agencies that may be interested in cooperation are currently underway. A second payload will be a microbial experiment to subject extremophiles to the environment of space and determine their viability.
UNESCOsat: The United Nations’ First Satellite
An international effort is underway to produce the first satellite in the history of the United Nations. The idea of the preparation and launch, with the endorsement of the UNESCO branch of the United Nations, of an international satellite to promote science education, public awareness of science, and international co-operation in the basic sciences, was presented by the National Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO to the UNESCO basic sciences committee. The General Conference of UNESCO at its 35th session in October 2009 approved an amendment to the UNESCO draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 concerning the project. The launch vehicle and a 100 kilogram satellite platform will be provided by Russia. Payloads will be provided on the basis of international cooperation including several from American universities. Available payload mass is approximately 30kg. Anticipated goals of the project include opportunities to inform and inspire younger students and the public about space missions and the benefits they bring to the world; assist in science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the developing world; provide international student payload opportunities; and to highlight the benefits and importance of satellites and space for the general public. Student groups are being sought from around the world to assist in developing payloads, education programs, developing ground stations and other associated areas. One payload, defined thus far, is a remote sensing system to assist students in understanding resource management, science opportunities from space and crop health in their own regions of the world. Images will be able to be requested by participating student groups and then downloaded by their own ground stations or the internet. These images can be used both for educational programs and also to assist in food production and Earth resource management locally. Activities to provide information on the project to a wide range of institutions, partner organizations and sponsoring agencies that may be interested in cooperation are currently underway. A second payload will be a microbial experiment to subject extremophiles to the environment of space and determine their viability.
