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 Space Exploration Track?

The Space Exploration Track offers access to space research facilities, infrastructure and information with the aim of developing technical know-how, engineering processes and infrastructure in the area of space exploration and, promotes international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The Space Exploration 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 Space Exploration 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 Space Exploration Track was inaugurated in 2021, with the opening of the ISONscope hands-on opportunity which provides telescopes to developing countries. This track aims at broadening the engagement in space exploration and developing associated capacity through technology and communication. Based on the experience accumulated from the development of the Hypergravity and Microgravity Track and the Satellite Development Track, UNOOSA is working to expand the activities under this track in each of its components. To this aim, UNOOSA is seeking partnerships to offer space exploration opportunities that may range from the use of analogues and simulation chambers, to telescope donation or to offer hosted or piggyback opportunities for space exploration payloads.

The following are opportunities under the Satellite Development Track

• ISONscope: Telescope provision opportunity by the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics- Russian Academy of Science

Education Component

Common Education Resources

Webinars

• 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"

Space Exploration Education Resources

Webinars

• ISONscope Announcement of Awardees Event
  Click here for the video of 10 December 2021
  
• ISONscope Announcement of Opportunity Webinar
  Click here for the video of 27 January 2021
  - Introduction of Opportunity by UNOOSA ( pdf and video 0:52-10:12)
  - Introduction of ISONScope by Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics ( pdf and video 10:35-20:40)
  - Detailed explanation of Announcement of Opportunity and Application Form ( pdf and video 20:40-1:14:14)
• ISONscope Questions and Answers Webinar
  Click here for the video of 25 March 2021
  - Introduction of Access to Space for All Initiative and Opportunity by UNOOSA ( pdf and video 2:35-14:02 )
  - Introduction of ISONscope by Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics ( pdf and video 14:52-22:18 )

Training and Workshops

• 22-24 October 2021: 28th Workshop on Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits: "Space Exploration - A source of inspiration, innovation and discovery"

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 Development Tools

• Sweet Home 3D Architectural design software to develop site location
• Trajectory Browser Search engine, a visualizer and mission summaries for designing trajectories to planets and small-bodies

Operations Tools

• INDI Astronomical Control Protocol Software to control astronomical equipment
• INDI starter A user interface to run INDI server

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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