International Conference On Space Security Opens In Geneva

SPACEWAR

A nuclear bomb detonated high above a country- like this test done over the Pacific Ocean in the 1950's (Program Starfish) - could unleash an electromagnetic pulse that would shut down a nation's power grid and, along with it, communications, water supplies and even food transportation.

Geneva (SPX) Mar 22, 2005
An international conference on safeguarding space security opened in Geneva Monday aiming to help prevent an arms race in outer space.

The objectives of the conference, initiated by China, are to safeguard the benefits derived from peaceful activities in space, to introduce the concept of "space security" and to advance the consideration of the prevention of an arms race in outer space by the Conference on Disarmament (CD).

The event, which ends Tuesday, is jointly organized by China, Russia, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Simons Center for Disarmament and Non-proliferation Research of Canada.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Hu Xiaodi, ambassador for disarmament affairs of China, said that "Outer space is the common heritage of mankind and the peaceful uses of outer space is the aspiration of all peoples."

"However,... changes in the perception of security, the coming into age of related weapons technologies, as well as developments in combat theory, all lead to the increasing danger of turning outer space into a battlefield and a place without security," he added.

Hu said that it is imperative to uphold multilateralism and strengthen international cooperation to make progress on outer space issues.

He expressed hope that "through our exchanges, we will arrive at a better understanding of each other, reduce differences, and come up with useful recommendations."

Participants include representatives from all 65 member states of the CD, and its observers, as well as senior officials from China, Russia and Canada, and representatives of related UN agencies.

Sergei Ordzhonikidze, director-general of the UNOG, also attended the conference.

SPACEWAR

Near-Space Programs To Provide Persistent Space Capability

Peterson AFB CO (SPX) Mar 15, 2005
As Air Force Space Command furthers its utilization of the high frontier it's looking for persistence that doesn't have to reside quite so far out of this world. The command is focusing on developing programs that will operate in the near space region, which is located between 65,000 and 325,000 feet.

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