Title: The United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space
1The United Nations Register of Objects Launched
into Outer Space
2Historical Overview General Assembly resolution
1721 B (XVI)
- In fact there are two separate, yet complementary
registers on objects launched into outer space.
- First register established in 1961 in accordance
with GA resolution 1721 B (XVI) of 20 December
1961.
- Still used to disseminate information received
from Member States who are not party to the
Registration Convention.
- The most recent submission was from Nigeria in
2004. (A/AC.105/INF.411)
- As of 1 January 2005, OOSA has issued 411
documents under GA resolution 1721 B (XVI)
containing registration data on nearly 6,000
space objects. - Voluntary registration information has been
provided by Algeria, Brazil, Israel, Italy,
Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, and the
Philippines. - This presentation will focus on the Register
established under the Registration Convention.
3Registration Convention
- Adopted by the UN General Assembly 12 November
1974 (resolution 3235 (XXIX)),
- Opened for signature on 14 January 1975, entered
into force on 15 September 1976,
- Supersedes General Assembly resolution 1721 (XVI)
B of 20 December 1961.
- As of 1 January 2005, there were 45 ratifications
and 4 signatures
- Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Burundi
(Signature only), Canada, Chile, China, Cuba,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (S),
Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Mexico,
Mongolia, Netherlands, Nicaragua (S), Niger,
Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Republic of
Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Seychelles, Singapore (S), Slovakia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of
America, Uruguay, Yugoslavia. - Most recent ratification by Greece in May 2003.
- Two international organizations have declared
their acceptance of rights and obligations
- European Space Agency (ESA) and
- European Organization for the Exploitation of
Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
- As of 1 January 2005, OOSA has issued 462
documents containing registration data on over
7,000 space objects.
- The most recent registration document published
was from Germany in December 2004
(ST/SG/SER.E/462).
4Function of the United Nations Register on
Objects Launched into Outer Space
- The main function of the Register is to
- make provision for the national registration by
launching States of objects launched into outer
space
- serve as a central register of objects launched
into outer space
- provide for State parties additional means and
procedures to assist in the identification of
space objects
5Few facts about the UN Register
- Article III of the Registration Convention
requires
- The Secretary General shall maintain a Register
in which information furnished in accordance with
article IV shall be recorded"
- There should be full and open access to the
information in this Register".
- The Register established at the Office for Outer
Space Affairs (OOSA) on behalf of the Secretary
General.
- first document ST/SG/SER.E/1 issued on 14 April
1977.
- contains information on space objects launched by
the United States of America as of 31 December
1976.
- As of 1 January 2005, OOSA has issued 462
documents containing registration data on over
7,050 space objects under the Registration
Convention. - In addition, the Office continues to maintain,
and transmit to COPUOS, registration information
furnished by member States on a voluntary basis
in accordance with GA resolution 1721 (XVI) B of
20 December 1961. - Such information appears in document series
A/AC.105/INF.1-411. Most recent notification by
Nigeria (A/AC.105/INF.411) in August 2004.
- All registration information is maintained by the
Office in printed and electronic form and is
updated on a regular basis.
- Total number of space objects in the electronic
Registers at 1 January 2005 is 12,100.
Figure includes duplicate registrations and
functional and non-functional objects. - About 6,000 are still orbiting around the Earth.
6Box-score of objects registered in accordance
with the Registration Convention and GA
resolution 1721B (as of 1 January 2005)
7Complementary Nature of the two UN Registers
- After the entry into force of the Registration
Convention, States began providing information on
space objects from that period
- However, in some cases States can provide
additional information (ie. decay date) of a
space object registered under GA resolution 1721
B (XVI) - Some States have re-registered all their space
objects under the Registration Convention. Most
recent example France (ST/SG/SER.E/445)
- In such cases, the space objects are removed from
the resolution-established Register and placed in
the Convention Register. A notation that the
object was formerly registered in the Resolution
Register is made. - Information provided by Member States under GA
resolution 1721 B (XVI) since 1976 are similar to
that provided by States in accordance with the
Registration Convention
Non-functional objects 56
Functional objects 44
8Application of Article I of the Registration
Convention
- Definition of space object
- "The term "space object" includes component parts
of a space object as well as its launch vehicle
and parts thereof
- Practice
- Practices of parties providing information can be
broken down into three classes
- The first class is where parties provide
information on all space objects, including
non-functional objects and objects that are
generated during and after launch. This includes
objects generated through impacts, explosions,
etc. - The second class provide information on
functional objects and non-functional objects
(such as third-stages) that are produced during
or just after launch. They do not include
information on objects created after the launch
phase. - The third class provide information on functional
objects only. This practice is observed by most
other parties to the Convention.
Present situation of objects registered, 56 are
non-functional (rocket stages, shrouds, etc.)
Non-functional objects 56
Functional objects 44
9Application of Article II of the Registration
Convention
- State of Registry
- "State of registry" means a launching State on
whose registry a space object is carried.
(Article I, (c))
- Where there are two or more launching States in
respect of any such space object, they shall
jointly determine which one of them shall
register the object (Article II. para. 2) - Practice
- Some space objects are registered by more than
one State
- Argentina USA SAC-B (1996-061A), SAC-C
(2000-075B)
- India USA Insat 1A and its launcher (1982-031A
and B, 1983-089C), Insat 1D (1990-051A)
- ESA EUMETSAT MSG-1 (2002-040B) Russian
Federation USA Reflektor (2001-056E)
- Some space objects are registered by one State in
accordance with the Convention, and another
States under GA resolution 1721B (XVI)
- Registration of space objects is sometimes
overlooked where more than one State is involved
- ISS module Zarya has not been registered
- Approximately 7 of functional objects have not
been registered under Registration Convention or
GA res. 1721B.
10Application of Article II of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- Change of Ownership
- Increasingly common, especially for GSO
satellites.
- Usually not reported to the United Nations
- Registration Convention has no specific
provision for this.
- Some States do not consider themselves State of
registry for space objects acquired in orbit by
commercial entities incorporated within their
territory - Examples UK and Inmarsat satellites
(ST/SG/SER.E/417/Rev.1) and, The Netherlands and
New Skies Satellites space objects (A/AC.105/806
824)
11Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention
- Information should be "furnished as soon as
practicable".
- Therefore, there is no time limit for submission
- Registration can take between weeks to years.
- Average time two to three months
- Practice
- Some parties (especially those who operate launch
vehicles for their own use or for customers)
provide information on a bi-monthly or quarterly
basis. - Other parties provide information on a less
frequent basis. This practice can range from
immediately after the launch to information on
all objects launched during the previous year. - The United Nations has also received information
on space objects prior to their launch. In these
cases, the Office keeps the information on file
and after launch confirms the information before
issue as a registration document.
12Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- Information provided Basic overview
- Information to be furnished to the United Nations
by parties to the Registration Convention
(Article IV para.2)
- (a) name of launching State or States
- (b) an appropriate designator of the space
object or its registration number
- (c) date and territory or location of launch
- (d) basic orbital parameters, including
- (i) nodal period
- (ii) inclination
- (iii) apogee
- (iv) perigee
- (e) general function of the space object.
- Article IV, para.3 requires each State of
registry shall notify the Secretary-General of
the United Nations, to the greatest extent
feasible and as soon as practicable, of space
objects concerning which it has previously
transmitted information, and which have been but
no longer are in earth orbit
13Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 1. Appropriate designator of the space object or
its registration number
- Practice
- All parties provide common names for their space
objects (recent development in States
registration practices)
- Some parties use the COSPAR international
designator nominally assigned by the World Wide
Agency on Satellite Information on behalf of
COSPAR. - Some parties provide designators based on entries
in their national registry. In these cases, the
common name is also provided.
- Some parties also use a designator assigned in a
catalogue maintained by the United States of
Americas Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), a
catalogue based on observational/radar data
formerly maintained by USSPACECOM and made
available through the NASA Orbital Information
Group. - Issues
- In some cases, the description of requested
information is too vague, resulting in different
interpretations.
- Different way of spelling can create problems in
identifying objects.
- Use of generic names also create problems
identifying a particular object.
14Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 2. Date of the launch
- Practice
- Some parties use Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) also
called Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC).
- Some parties use local time at the place of
launch.
- Issues
- Some difficulty in identifying space objects
based on local time of launch.
- Identifying a space object when the time
registered may be /- 1 day out.
- 3. Territory or location of launch
- Practice
- Some parties provide location and territory of
launch, especially if the object is launched from
the territory of another State.
- Other parties do not provide information on the
location and territory of launch when a space
object is launched from another State.
15Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 4. Basic orbital parameters
- Information required (Article IV, para.2)
- Nodal period the time to complete one orbit
- Inclination the angle made by the objects orbit
relative to the Earths equator
- Apogee the greatest distance of the space
objects orbit from the Earths surface
- Perigee the closest distance of the space
objects orbit to the Earths surface
- General observations
- There are no standardised units (ie, km, minutes,
degrees) for reporting the orbital parameters.
- The parameters technically refer to objects
orbiting the Earth, apogee/perigee refer to the
Earth.
- The orbital parameters do not convey information
for objects in geostationary Earth orbit. Space
objects in this orbit, by definition, have very
similar orbital parameters. - The unique basic parameter for an object in GSO
would be its location relative to the Equator,
normally stated as longitude degrees East or
West. - In the majority of cases, GSO positions are
registered with the ITU and are in the public
domain.
- Of the 23 Parties that register space objects in
GSO, 8 do not provide GSO locations
16Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 4. Basic orbital parameters (continued)
- Practice
- Some States provide initial orbit, others
intermediate (parking) orbit and still others the
final operational orbit.
- Units used for orbital parameters (km, minutes,
degrees) can vary
- Data on apogee, perigee - usually provided are
heights above the Earth surface, but sometimes
distance from the centre of the Earth (difference
of 6,378 km!). Orbital data is sometimes also
provided on objects beyond Earths orbit, such as
interplanetary probes - Some parties provide the location in GSO.
- Issues
- Orbital data may not always reflect a space
objects operational orbit (ie., objects that are
in GSO may be registered with a transfer orbit)
- Different units (ie. km/miles/AU, minutes/days)
are used for reporting the orbital parameters.
17Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 5. General function
- Practice
- Some States provide generic functions with
minimal information content
- Other parties provided detailed information
including frequency plans, etc.
18Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 6. Provision of additional information
- Article IV, para.2 states that each State of
registry may, from time to time, provide the
Secretary-General of the United Nations with
additional information concerning a space object
carried on its registry - Practice
- Used to provide additional information on space
objects in orbit
- Used to provide information when a satellite
ceases function. Used also to report the
impending reentry of space objects
- Used in conjunction with NPS principles to
provide emergency information concerning the
possible decay of satellites
- Issues
- Not always used by Parties. Could be used for
space objects moved to graveyard orbits, etc.
19Application of Article IV of the Registration
Convention (continued)
- 7. Reentry of space objects
- Article IV, para.3 requires parties to notify the
Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the
greatest extent feasible and as soon as
practicable, of space objects concerning which it
has previously transmitted information, and which
have been but no longer are in Earth orbit. - Practice
- Some States provide actual date of reentry on a
specific basis
- Other parties provide information on a monthly
basis (ie, an object ceased to exist by the end
of the month).
- Issue
- Non-specific dates of decay can hamper the
ability to identify a space object that has
returned to Earth.
20Application of Article VII of the Registration
Convention
- Applicability to international organisations
- Article VII, "Reference to States shall be deemed
to apply to any international intergovernmental
organization which conducts space activities if
the organization declares its acceptance of the
rights and obligations ... and if a majority of
the States members of the organization are States
parties to this Convention and to the Outer
Space Treaty - Practice
- Two intergovernmental organisations have declared
acceptance to the Registration Convention
- European Space Agency (ESA) and
- European Organization for the Exploitation of
Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
- Satellites operated by EUTELSAT are registered by
France.
- Issues
- Some space objects presently being operated by
intergovernmental organizations are still
unregistered.
21Non-registration of space objects
- Of the approx 5,730 functional space objects
launched, 390 have not been registered.
- 82 of these objects were launched after 1976.
- Of the 39 Member States that have
launched/operated space objects, 7 do not provide
information to the UN
- Issues
- Presence of multiple parties may result in
non-registration
- Some space objects operated by present and former
intergovernmental organizations have not been
registered
- Intelsat satellites
- Inmarsat satellites (UK does not consider itself
State of registry)
- Some space objects that comprise low-Earth orbit
communications constellations have not been
registered
- Globalstar approx. 50 not registered
- Iridium approx. 20 not registered
- Interpretation that Registration Convention
applies only to objects launched after becoming
Party
- Space station modules
22Conclusions
- The United Nations Register of Objects Launched
into Outer Space is the sole source of
information provided by governments and
international organisation on all types of space
objects. - All States involved in the launching or operation
of space objects should be party to the
Registration Convention
- Where a space objects launch and operation
involves several States, parties should remember
to determine who is the State of Registry
- Disparity exists in the format and content of
information provided between parties registering
space objects. This can cause difficulties in
positively identifying a space object based on
information provided. - Harmonisation of information provided would
assist the function of the Register
- Use COSPAR International Designator
- Use GMT/UTC
- Use kilometers, minutes and degrees as standard
units
- Final operational orbit of a space object
- Additional information that would be useful to
facilitate the maintenance of the Register
- GSO location
- Date of decay/re-entry based on GMT/UTC
- Web-link to official information on space object
- Notification when a space object is no longer
functional/moved to graveyard orbit