NASA Participates In United Nations Outreach Seminar On The International Space Station
WASHINGTON -- NASA participated yesterday in a seminar to create awareness
among United Nations member states on potential uses of the
International Space Station. At the request of the U.N.'s Office for
Outer Space Affairs, NASA and its international partner agencies
attended the outreach seminar in Vienna.
Representatives from NASA; the Canadian Space Agency; the European
Space Agency; the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; and the Russian
Federal Space Agency presented information on their respective
capabilities available on the orbiting outpost. They discussed the
station's management structure, research facilities, research
accomplishments, education outreach activities and mechanisms for cooperation.
"This was an opportunity for NASA and our international partners to
share the capabilities of the space station with the international
community," said International Space Station Program Scientist Julie
Robinson, who presented at the seminar. "Now that the station has
shifted from construction to research and technology development, we
are working as a partnership to optimize its use as a laboratory."
The seminar was the first activity under the U.N.'s Human Space
Technology Initiative, a new program that builds awareness among U.N.
member states on the benefits of using human space technology to
contribute to international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.
The seminar occurred during the 48th session of the Scientific and
Technical Subcommittee of the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). UNCOPUOS members who participated gained a
greater understanding of the space station and its research,
utilization and educational opportunities. As a result, countries not
currently part of the International Space Station partnership now
will be able to assess better the opportunities for collaborative
research aboard the station.
For more information on research and technology aboard the
International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/iss-
Source: NASA
