Topic: Private Sector Access to Outer Space
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Woojin Chung
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Colombia position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Colombia believes that all states should have equal access to outer space for purposes of scientific research, technological economic advancement, and global monitoring of the Earth. We believe that before approaching the topic of space tourism, we must first factor in the safety, costs, regulations, and economic benefits from private sector access to outer space.
Colombia’s main priority regarding outer space as of now is to confront humanitarian issues through scientific advancements in technology. Launching satellites into outer space for the purpose of bettering technology in detecting and aiding in environmental and humanitarian disasters (and responses to them) along with access to space resources and the development of new space technology for future use is our main purpose for supporting access to space. To do so, many limiting factors would affect the possibility of space travel.
Besides financing space travel, concerns of safety are worth discussing here. Measures involving the development of space shuttles, especially in developing countries, should be taken to ensure safe means of travel. International regulations on outer space travel should also be established to prevent miscommunication between countries and create a sustainable code of conduct for participating countries. All participating states should be held accountable for the safety of astronauts if it comes within their power. In outer space, nations should cooperate in a peaceful and open manner to not just themselves, but other countries.
Colombia insists that access to space does not lead to militarization of space as that is counter-productive and potentially dangerous. Peaceful occupation of space should be mandatory for all participating nations, again to ensure secure travel in space.
While Colombia’s space program is not as advanced in terms of technology as many other countries, with international participation of a unified space program or at least rules of conduct, we believe that the problem of cost and safety can be resolved and that scientific progress can be logged at an exponential rate through access to outer space.
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web.
"Outer Space Benefits Must Not Be Allowed to Widen Global Gap between Economic, Social Inequality, Fourth Committee Told, Concluding Debate on Item | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web.
"PREVENTION OF OUTER SPACE ARMS RACE, MEDITERRANEAN SECURITY AMONG ISSUES, AS DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE APPROVES SEVEN MORE TEXTS | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web.
