International Conferences on Planetary Exploration and Space Law Held in Bangalore

A twin-event — IAA Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on “Advances in Planetary Exploration” and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) Space Law Conference - 2005 on “Bringing Space Benefits to the Asian region” was held at Bangalore during June 26-29, 2005. ISRO and Antrix Corporation sponsored the conference which was organised by Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in association with International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and IISL.

The International Space Law Conference 2005 was the third in a series of regional space law conferences, initiated in 2001 by the IISL. These regional IISL Conferences bring space law and policy specialists on to a common forum to discuss legal and policy topics of particular interest to those regions. The meeting addressed the scenario of international space law and the regional perspectives of national space policies, broadcasting, remote sensing and geographical information, disaster management and other areas.

“Advances in Planetary Sciences” was one of a series of regional workshops that are periodically organised in different regions by IAA. The meet at Bangalore addressed the scientific, technological and future perspectives of planetary exploration by different nations. Of special interest was the discussion on “Interest in the Moon” by India, USA, China, Japan and Europe. The sessions covered the challenges and results of outreach to Mars, Jupiter, the past SOHO mission and also extra-solar objects.

Mr G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO addressing the delegates

 

A section of the delegates

 

IAA, founded in 1960, has 1200 members and is the world’s premier professional body of space and astronautics experts. The Academy focuses on exploring and discussing cutting-edge issues in space research and technology and the ongoing exploration of the solar system. IISL is the premier professional body of legal experts that addresses legal and policy issues related to space and articulates the perspectives of space activities and their legal implications through special Space Law meets. ASI is the premier national professional body of space and astronautics experts that brings focus on space technology and applications.

A presentation in progress

Mr G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO inaugurated the twin-meet on June 27, 2005.
Director General of European Space Agency, Mr R Jean Jacques Dordain was the
Guest of Honour. President of IISL, Mr N Jasunthliana and former President of IAA,
Dr Michael Yarymovych delivered opening addresses. For the first time, the twin-meet
brought together two cadres of space professionals – scientists who address Planetary Exploration issues and the legal professionals who address policy and legal frameworks of space. The meet was held in parallel sessions with a joint opening and closing plenary sessions.

Question time: A delegate seeking clarification on a subject

The two international events were attended by 250 delegates from India and about
75 from USA, China, Japan, Canada, France, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and others. The conference was significant in the context of India playing a significant role in the international arena on space related issues as well as in the context of important scientific missions like Chandrayaan-1 and ASTROSAT taken up by
ISRO recently.