Space Agencies
Continue Co-Ordination Of Exploration Plans
(14 July 2008) Representatives of 11
space agencies from around the world gathered in Montréal, Canada 10 -
12 July to continue the co-ordination of programmes to extend human and robotic
presence throughout the Solar System.
In May 2007, multilateral
space agency discussions resulted in the release of 'The Global Exploration
Strategy - The Framework for Co-ordination.' This 'framework document' - the
product of a shared vision of space exploration focused on solar system
destinations where humans may someday live and work - represented an important
first step in co-ordinating space exploration efforts toward common goals. The
Framework Document envisioned a co-ordination mechanism to facilitate
international planning, leading to the establishment of the International Space
Exploration Co-ordination Group (ISECG).
During the Montréal
ISECG meeting, hosted by the Canadian Space Agency, the participating agencies
made significant progress in a number of areas that will facilitate
co-operation. Among accomplishments were the establishment of an ISECG
secretariat, that will be initially hosted by ESA, plans for conducting
effective public engagement, and development of tools for sharing information
on exploration capabilities and mission plans across agencies.
The
participants also took steps toward identification of critical space
infrastructure interfaces - such as between spacecraft, lunar rovers and lunar
habitats - which, if standardised, would increase opportunities for
international co-operation. The participating agencies also reaffirmed the
importance of maintaining an open dialogue as the space exploration
architecture plans of individual agencies continues to progress. The group set
the next ISECG meeting for March 2009 in Japan.
Attending the
Montréal meeting were representatives from Australia, Canada, ESA,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine, United Kingdom
and the United States.
(source: ESA)
