Topic: Private Sector Access to Outer Space
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: John Vander Vliet
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belgium position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
For most of the time space flight has existed, it has been the exclusive property of national governments. Numerous expeditions have been launched in history with the purpose of advancing the government's objectives. Recently, with private companies having the ability and means to create their own space-related technology, the issue of private sector access has come into light. One leader in the field is Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX. NASA itself is increasingly willing to work with non-government entities, being quoted as saying, “But at every stage that we’re involved, there’s room for commercial partnerships,”. Allowing access to private citizens and the groups associated along with them will benefit economies with the sale and purchases of equipment of space launching materials, schools with the new knowledge learned from deeper space exploration, and the technological field of space science with the advances that will be made. However, something to consider is that something so new would lack proper regulations and safety. With space technology a component in Belgium’s economy, private sector access will allow a strengthening of the economy.
Belgium encourages more private entities to explore space. As an active member of the European Space Agency, Belgium is for private access as well as space research with the creation of Arianespace back in March of 1980. Acting as a launch service provider, Arianespace shows the support Belgium has for private access with their position as a commercial provider. With space exploration increasingly more available and profitable for both society and companies, Belgium recognizes that commercialization of space products is available to negotiation between the government and the private sector. Additionally, spreading information globally via satellites and communication showcases the potential of opening up space to private citizens. With some 40 Belgian companies, including SABCA and Thales Alenia Space, Belgium is active in the space travel industry by providing goods and services. Thus, space access is a hot topic.
In the years to come, Belgium hopes that private sector access to space will become the standard. The only demand Belgium makes is of laws to be made that set clear regulations and safety standards upon private companies when dealing with space technology. An example would be a five year limit on the private sector to be more aware of the technology before undergoing actions. With that in mind, Belgium is pro-privatization and hopes that these companies can exist peacefully side by side along with the government program, ie the European Space Agency. Rich prospects of benefiting economies and spreading of access to all citizens are too much to ignore.
