Working Group 1: UNISPACE+50 and What it Means to Asia Pacific
- In 1968, the first UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE) was held in Vienna, and this year, 2018 marks its 50th anniversary. During this milestone, the COPOUS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space) decided to use this anniversary as a unique platform for the space faring nations and emerging space nations to convene and establish their interrelationship. The UNISPACE +50 aims to pronounce the long term for space by engaging all key stakeholders including government, non-government, civil society organizations, the youth, and the public at large. Our discussion will be centered around what the outcomes for this huge event means for Asia-Pacific
Focus Questions
- What has Asia-Pacific has achieved in space since UNISPACE I?
- What opportunities does space present for the Asia-Pacific region moving forward?
- What are the challenges lying ahead and how can we address them as a whole in Asia-Pacific?
Working Group 2: The Rise of Small Satellites
- Small Satellites are satellites with low mass and volume, usually weighing under 500 kg. The main purposes of developing small satellites with modern technologies are to reduce the cost and development lead time. Heavier satellites require larger rockets and thus have higher cost, while small satellites’ are kept at a low cost due to requiring smaller and cheaper launch vehicles. Other purposes of using small satellites are in-orbit inspection, communication, university related researches, to test hardware before using it on an expensive spacecraft, as well as gathering data from multiple points. The demand for small satellites is rising and the global market for small satellites is expected to reach USD 6.91 billion by 2023. In the Asia-Pacific region, some of the leading countries in the small satellite market include China, Japan, Singapore and India. Our discussion will dive deeper into understanding the benefits of small satellites as well as how to further develop the scene in the region.
Focus Questions
- What are the unique benefits of small satellites?
- To what extent do small satellites fit in within the Asia-Pacific landscape?
- How can Asia-Pacific benefit from the widespread of small satellites?
Working Group 3: How Internet of Things (IoT) will Shape the Asia-Pacific Economy
- IoT is a system of interrelated computing devices and objects that helps facilitate ocmmunication between human and devices/human to computer without direct interaction. In recent years it has been a solution for space and satellite communications, providing full two-way capability to allow the smooth running of applications such as herd tracking, fleet management and many more use cases. However, current satellite networks are not equipped to deal with IoT and the exponential growth it entails. This discussion group will focus on IoT applications and businesses in Asia-Pacific space.
Focus Questions
- What are the business opportunities generated from IoT, with respect to space technologies?
- How will IoT businesses disrupt the current economy?
- How can Asia-Pacific leverage the IoT economy? What challenges need to be overcome first
Working Group 4: Gender Diversity in Space
- It is hard to dispute that a diverse, broad range of ideas will result in more and better innovation as well as growth in business. Yet it is not surprising that the space sector, like many science and technology fields, have traditionally been more dominated by men. According to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 28% of the world’s science researchers are women.
In this working group we will discuss why diversity is important and how to promote outreach and leadership opportunities particularly in the Asia-Pacific context.
Focus Questions
- Why is gender diversity so important in the space sector?
- What is the status of gender disparity in the Asia-Pacific region?
- How can gender diversity be improved in the space sector?