Krzysztof Dmowski @xaphanpl

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 19

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

Here is a run-down on Dark & Quiet Skies activities at the recent UN COPUOS Science & Technology Subcommittee meeting from @iau_cps: https://cps.iau.org/news/un-meeting-features-satellite-impact-on-astronomy/

"The discussion included remarks on the need to find balanced solutions, the urgent need for nations to support research on mitigations, considerations on the cultural heritage of the night sky, and the importance of space sustainability discussions within international bodies."

cps.iau.orgUN Meeting Features Satellite Impact on Astronomy - CPSIAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS)

#Astronomy #Space #UnitedNations

Continued thread

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 13

Feb 13

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

Meanwhile, although I never imagined I would agree with the government of #Iran about much, here we are. "Another critical consequence of the unchecked expansion of mega-constellations is light pollution."

The Islamic Republic's statement in the same COPUOS STSC session is on: https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/stsc/2025/Statements/15_Iran.rev.pdf

Madam Chair,

The Islamic Republic of Iran firmly believes that the commercial interests of private companies should not dictate the regulatory framework for space activities. The deployment of large constellations is creating a complex network in LEO, leading to significant technical, legal, security, safety, economic, and cultural challenges for many nations. Among the most pressing concerns are the violation of national sovereignty and the obstruction of fair and equitable access to space.

Another critical consequence of the unchecked expansion of mega-constellations is light pollution. Despite ongoing appeals from astronomers for reductions in the number and brightness of these satellites, no satisfactory measures have been taken. Reports indicate that astronomical observations have already been impacted by the increased light pollution caused by large constellations. Additionally, radio signals reflected and emitted from these satellites have disrupted radio astronomy, transforming once-dark and quiet skies into polluted and bright environments. It is therefore imperative to regulate the radiation and signals of large constellations to prevent unauthorized service provision in other countries.

#UnitedNations #COPUOS #SpacePolicy

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 13

Feb 13

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

Kudos to @iau_org for including a mention of obtrusive space advertising in its statement during this week's meeting of the Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

PDF: https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/stsc/2025/Statements/15_IAU.pdf

In addition, the IAU notes that there is no means of mitigating the potential harm to astronomy of obtrusive space advertising. It represents the ultimate light trespass because its purpose is to be visible as widely as possible on the surface of the Earth. The IAU urges COPUOS national delegations to consider a prohibition on this technology that creates the risk of unwanted messaging and disruption of the dark night sky.

Thank you for your kind attention

#UnitedNations #COPUOS #SpacePolicy

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 10

Feb 10

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

A statement by the "Group of Friends" (six national delegations and six NGOs) on Dark and Quiet Skies presented at the ongoing Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Scientific and Technical Subcommittee is now publicly available.

PDF: https://www.unoosa.org/res/oosadoc/data/documents/2025/aac_105c_12025crp/aac_105c_12025crp_22_0_html/AC105_C1_2025_CRP22E.pdf

Conference Room Paper on the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies for science and society

Many companies and space agencies are building and launching space objects in low Earth orbits (LEO). Their purpose varies from providing communications services, remote sensing services, or low-latency broadband internet access. all beneficial applications of space technology and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). such as bridging the digital divide. However, the rapid growth of large satellite constellations poses challenges for astronomical research from streaks of reflected sunlight for optical telescopes to increased power potentially swamping faint astronomical signals for radio telescopes. The growth in number of satellites also impacts amateur astronomers, and the general connection between humanity and the night sky, including for Indigenous communities.

Given the unique nature of this topic, no single nation or entity can drive meaningful change without the coordinated action and cooperation of governments, satellite owner-operators or manufacturers, and astronomers from around the world. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is well suited to address the challenge to optical and infrared astronomy and has the appropriate mandate, technical expertise, and processes necessary to achieve results under the five-year Agenda ltem.

#Space #OuterSpace #COPUOS

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 3

Feb 3

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

EU Statement at the 62nd Session of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 3 February 2025: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/vienna-international-organisations/eu-statement-62nd-session-scientific-and-technical-sub-committee-united-nations-committee-peaceful_en

"The EU and its Member States strongly support the rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its core, and a multilateral approach to international affairs."

Includes an appeal to "the universalisation of the Outer Space Treaty for the preservation of a secure, safe, stable and sustainable outer space environment."

All activities of States in exploration and use of outer space must be conducted in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty, and we encourage all States to ratify it and fully implement ts provisions. We underline the importance of the niversalisation of the Outer Space Treaty for the preservation of a secure, safe, stable and sustainable outer space environment. Together, States need to uphold this Treaty and other key instruments within the United Nations framework, to develop further transparency and confidence-building measures, and foster responsible behaviour in the peaceful and free exploration of outer space.

#Space #SpaceSustainability #SpaceEnvironment

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Feb 3

Feb 3

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

Obtrusive space advertising will impact the visual appearance of the night sky, interfere with ground-based astronomy, and it may have currently unknown environmental effects. But there's still a chance to get out ahead of (and even prevent) this problem.

Read more: http://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/space-advertising-the-next-frontier

: NASA

#Space #SpacePolicy #SpaceAdvertising

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Jan 28

Jan 28

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

"The American Astronomical Society has called for a global ban on intrusive space advertising through international treaties or laws. It also asked the US delegation to the #UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer #Space to initiate the process." (via @ust_magazine)

https://universemagazine.com/en/astronomers-beg-not-to-show-ads-from-space/

#COPUOS #SpaceAdvertising #SpacePolicy

Continued thread

**Spaceflight** @spaceflight@spacey.space · Nov 30, 2024

Nov 30, 2024

Spaceflight @spaceflight@spacey.space

#Africa now has 22 nations represented on the #UnitedNations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (#COPUOS) https://spaceinafrica.com/2024/11/05/djibouti-joins-united-nations-committee-on-the-peaceful-uses-of-outer-space

Space in Africa · Nov 5, 2024Djibouti Joins United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space - Space in AfricaDjibouti has become the latest African nation to join the COPUOS following the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

#Djibouti #Spaceport

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

Issued today. "There is a need for international coordination to foster transparency, clarity and consistency of relevant policies and regulations, ... to effectively address and promote the safety and #sustainability of #space activities."

https://www.unportugal.ptspace.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lisbon_Declaration_on_Outer_Space.pdf

Title page of the document “Lisbon Declaration on Outer Space”, which includes the logos of the Unites Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Portuguese Space Agency

#SpacePolicy #SpaceSustainability #UNOOSA

Replied in thread

**Spaceflight** @spaceflight@spacey.space · Apr 1, 2024

Apr 1, 2024

Spaceflight @spaceflight@spacey.space

#SpaceAgencies and private companies are planning bases, scientific experiments and mining operations on the #moon . Whatever the #ArtemisAccords decide, Russia and China are not about to sign up.
A second effort at lunar governance is emerging at #Copuos*. Its new working group is mulling rules on the extraction of natural resources from celestial bodies https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/mar/25/bases-experiments-mining-the-race-to-protect-the-surface-of-the-moon

* https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html

The Guardian · Mar 25, 2024Bases, experiments, mining: the race to protect the surface of the moonBy Ian Sample

#ISRU #MoonMining #SpaceRegulation

**Dr. John Barentine FRAS** @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social · Jun 20, 2023

Jun 20, 2023

Dr. John Barentine FRAS @JohnBarentine@astrodon.social

"The issue of the protection of dark and quiet skies from large satellite constellation interference featured prominently at the 66th meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) which took place in Vienna in early June, although no consensus was reached."

https://cps.iau.org/news/dark-and-quiet-skies-feature-prominently-at-un-meeting/

cps.iau.org Dark and Quiet Skies Feature Prominently at UN Meeting - CPS IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS)

#Satellites #Megaconstellations #Space

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