United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs

Access to Space for All and the SDGs

Access to Space for All is key in raising awareness about what space technology can do for the Sustainable Development Goals. Each application for an Access to Space for All hands-on opportunity request the applicants to provide information on how their activity will support the Sustainable Development Goals. To date, UNOOSA has received applications that spanned over the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Examples of how Access to Space for All supports the Sustainable Development Goals are:

• SDG 4 "Quality Education": Access to Space for All provides educational resources supporting the hands-on component.
• SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth": Access to Space for All builds capacity for individuals to access jobs in the space industry.
• SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure": Thanks to some of the hands-on opportunities of Access to Space for All, institutions create facilities that remain available once the opportunity has been completed.

What is the Hypergravity and Microgravity Track?

The Hypergravity and Microgravity Track offers access to space research facilities, infrastructure and information with the aim of developing technical know-how, engineering processes and infrastructure in the areas of hypergravity and microgravity, including the development of experiments in orbit and, promotes international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The Hypergravity and Microgravity Track under Access to Space for All is a joint initiative of UNOOSA and space agencies, research institutions and industry.

How does it work?

There are several Access to Space for All components serving the Hypergravity and Microgravity Track: A hands-on component, based on opportunities provided by different partners and aiming at providing access to space research facilities and infrastructure to develop technical know-how. A tools component that provides information on open source tools to support the hands-on component and an education component, which provides the theoretical foundation to fully utilize the opportunities and the tools. Additional components might be added to provide better support to the Member States.
Activities on each component open throughout the year and are available to participants from United Nations Member States.

Hands-on Component

The Hypergravity and Microgravity Track aims at developing the knowledge, engineering processes and human workforce to conduct basic science and technology experiments in hypergravity and microgravity conditions. Teams from all over the world have been able to run experiments on different areas of engineering, such as the development of mechanisms to dump oscillations of tethers in satellites or understanding the behaviour of a reduced-scaled robotic arm manipulator. There have also been experiments in material science, such as the analysis of the mechanical features of nitinol alloy, a biocompatible material, superelastic and intelligent material with "shape-memory", and experiments related to medicine and microbiology, such as the one on a method to develop increased antimicrobial activity in medicine droplets.

The following are opportunities under the Hypergravity and Microgravity Track

• DropTES: Drop Tower Experiment Series using the drop tower operated by the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM in Bremen, Germany

• HyperGES: Hypergravity Experiment Series using the European Space Agency Large Diameter Centrifuge in Noordwijk, The Netherlands

• Bartolomeo: on the utilization of the Bartolomeo platform operated by Airbus Defence and Space on the International Space Station

• China Space Station: on the utilization of the China Space Station, operated by China Manned Space Agency

• Dream Chaser: on the utilization of the Dream Chaser vehicle, owned by Sierra Space

Education Component

Common Education Resources

Webinars

• COPUOS side event: Access to Space for All: Opportunities for Member States
• Tips on the Implementation of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the Guidelines on the Long-Term Sustainability for Outer Space Activities Webinar
• World Space Week 2021: Access to Space for All - A Focus on the Women in the Initiative-
• Information Briefing - What is the Access to Space for All Initiative
• "How to Raise Awareness about Your Project"
• "Space Law and Regulations"
• "Experiences from Past Winners"
• "Artificial Intelligence and Access to Space for All"

Hypergravity/Microgravity Education Resources

Webinars

• DropTES webinars
• HyperGES webinars
• Bartolomeo webinars
• Webinar Series on Hypergravity/Microgravity
• • #1 Introduction to Hypergravity/Microgravity
  • #2 Life Science: Biology
  • #3 Life Science: Physiology
  • #4 Life Science: Pharmacology
  • #5 Physical Science: Material Science
  • #6 Physical Science: Fluid Dynamics
  • #7 Technology Demonstration
  • #8 UNOOSA Hypergravity/Microgravity Track Opportunities
  • #9 Regional Hypergravity/Microgravity Opportunities

Teacher's Guide

• Check out the teacher's guide to plant experiments in microgravity.

Tools Component

This list is work in progress. The tools listed are not endorsed by UNOOSA and are provided only for information. The tools are maintained by third parties. Each user bears sole responsibility for their use and the use of their results.

Design Tools

• FreeCAD Computer-aided design software
• LibreCAD 2D-focused computer-aided design software
• OpenSCAD Solid 3D Modelling-focused computer-aided design software

Simulation Tools

• Blender Tool set for 3D modeling and simulation
• Unreal Engine A cross-platform game engine
• Unity A cross-platform game engine

Common Tools

• LibreOffice Free office suite
• • Writer - word processor
  • Calc - spreadsheet
  • Impress - presentations
  • Base - database management
• Ganttproject Project scheduling tool
• GNUCash A double-entry bookkeeping system
• Dia Mind mapping, chart, and diagram creation software
• GIMP Raster graphics editor
• Inkscape Vector graphics editor
• KdenLIVE General purpose video editor
• ffmpeg Multimedia decoder

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