United Nations/South Africa Symposium on Basic Space Technology: "Small satellite missions for scientific and technological advancement"

Space technology and its wide range of applications contribute essential information and services to many aspects of sustainable development, that is, economic and social development and environmental conservation and protection. Small satellite missions are becoming increasingly important in supporting these roles of space technology, as well as in the advancement of basic space science and technology, notably through capacity building. In 2009, the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, implemented by the Office for Outer Space Affairs, launched the Basic Space Technology Initiative (BSTI) in support of capacity-building for the development of basic space technology.

The present and fourth Symposium will be held as the United Nations/South Africa Symposium on Basic Space Technology in Stellenbosch and will focus on the African region. It is organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology and the Stellenbosch University, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

The Symposium objectives will build on the outcomes of The Basic Space Technology Initiative (BSTI) Symposiums held from 2009 to 2013.

Online registration: The application deadline is 15 August 2017 for applicants seeking funding support and 15 October 2017 for self-funded applicants. Please ensure that your application is complete and correct before submitting. Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to make further changes.

The objectives of the UN/South Africa Symposium will be to:

1. Review the status of capacity-building in basic space technology for small satellites including lessons learned from the past and on-going development activities with a focus on regional and international collaboration opportunities, in particular for countries in Africa;
2. Examine issues relevant to the implementation of small satellite programmes, such as organizational capacity-building, development and testing infrastructure and launch opportunities;
3. Review state-of-the-art scientific applications of small satellite programmes and their associated supporting technological developments, in particular with focus on applications for agriculture, environment and city monitoring, and education to promote a sustainable growth, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
4. Elaborate on regulatory issues of space technology development programmes, such as frequency allocation and space debris mitigation measures for enhancing the long-term sustainability of outer space activities as well as import/export controls;
5. Elaborate on legal issues and responsibilities related to space technology development programmes, such as those that are raised from the relevant provisions in international space law;
6. Continue the development of an education curriculum for space engineering;
7. Discuss the way forward for the Basic Space Technology Initiative (BSTI), and its capacity-building and international cooperation activities in preparation of UNISPACE+50.

The Symposium programme will be structured around a series of dedicated topical sessions. Presentations will be solicited through a Call for Papers. In addition, renowned experts in the field will be invited to make some of the presentations.

The following topics will be considered in dedicated sessions:

• Space Technology Development and Capacity-Building in Basic Space Technology Development with a focus on Africa
• Small Satellite Missions in Support of Key Scientific Projects and Questions
• Applications of Small Satellite Missions
• Small Satellite Missions Ground Segment
• Legal and Regulatory Issues
• Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities