United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

About United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):

 

• It is the UN office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
• It forms part of the United Nations Office at Vienna and serves as the Secretariat for the UN General Assembly's only committee dealing exclusively with those issues: the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
• Functions:
  • UNOOSA  implements the United Nations Programme on Space Applications (PSA). Under the Programme, UNOOSA conducts training courses, workshops, seminars and other activities on space applications.
  • On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, UNOOSA maintains the Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space and disseminates via its website that information recorded in the Register. 
  • It also prepares and distributes documents, reports, studies and publications on various aspects of space science and technology applications and international space law.
  • It works to improve the use of space science and technology for the economic and social development of all countries, particularly developing countries.

 

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Q1) What is the Outer Space Treaty?

The Outer Space Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in resolution 2222 (XXI) after being considered by the Legal Subcommittee in 1966.The Treaty stipulates that exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all countries, and it shall be the province of mankind. Parties agree not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction.

 

Source: UN chief appoints Indian-origin satellite expert as Director of United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs