UN agrees to address impact of satellite constellations on astronomy

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February 15, 2024

Delegations representing 102 countries agreed last week to discuss the impact of large satellite constellations on astronomy at a meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

After extensive discussions, the Subcommittee on Scientific and Technical Affairs of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPOS) agreed to add an item to the agenda for the next five years to discuss new problems and challenges related to large space constellations, including those related to dark and silent skies and astronomy. . As the highest UN body concerned with space-related matters, the Committee deals with all issues relating to international cooperation and exploration of space and planetary objects, including satellite deployment, space debris reduction, and the long-term sustainability of space use and orbital use. Slots.

The proposal, led by ESO host and partner country Chile and ESO member state Spain (two countries that host important international astronomical infrastructure), was notified by the astronomical community and received broad support from many delegations. [1]. Permanent observers from the Commission, such as ESO, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the European Astronomical Society (EAS) and the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), also participated in these efforts.

““This is an important moment for astronomy and the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment,” said Andrew Williams, External Relations Officer at the European Southern Observatory and ESO's representative on the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. “The agenda item will encourage the governments of many countries to act and focus more on finding solutions to protect dark and silent skies“.

Richard Green, Acting Director of the IAU Center for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies from Constellation Satellite (CPS) Interference, added: “Since the launch of the first constellation in 2019, we have been working hard to spread awareness of this issue to all parties concerned and at all levels. We are very pleased to see the United Nations recognizing its importance and agreeing to study the problems and challenges posed by large gatherings.“.

Mila Francisco, Chilean diplomat and substitute representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna, said:It is important for Chile to protect international public investments in astronomical infrastructure, much of which we host in Chile. The interaction with astronomers was extremely valuable in understanding their concerns and discussing them with other delegations in a spirit of consensus and thus agreeing on a way forward.Chile has been a partner of the European Southern Observatory for many years and hosts all of the organization's observatories.

This temporary agenda item will now be presented to the full Committee for approval in June. The inclusion of a specific topic on the agenda will open more time for in-depth discussions among delegations, with the ultimate goal of developing and agreeing on recommendations that will be adopted by UN Member States.

This recent success reflects a growing recognition of the importance of preserving dark, quiet skies for astronomical research and humanity's cultural heritage, and the importance of mitigating the impact of large satellite constellations on observational astronomy.

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[1] Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland.

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Contacts

Andrew Williams
External Relations Officer at ESO
Garching near Munich, Germany
Phone: +49 89 320 062 78
Email: [email protected]

Barbara Ferreira
ESO Media Manager
Garching near Munich, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6670
Email: [email protected]