Statement from COSPAR about the Anti-Satellite Test conducted on 15 November 2021

The recent destruction of a satellite in low-Earth orbit is shedding light again on the matter of our stewardship of the space environment, which should be responsible, sustainable and agreed to internationally.  It is a founding and abiding principle of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) that space should be a global commons, open without […]

COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection Open Session: 20 October 2021

PPP open session - 20 October 2021:  The COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection will discuss recent findings concerning planetary protection of missions to Venus and Mars. The first part of the webinar, starting at 1pm CEST will be open to registered participants, who will be able to ask questions through the Q&A functionality. The second part will be reserved to PPP members.  If you would like to participate as a regular, view-only attendee, please use the registration link hereafter. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_59YY6WQdTUOkVZ82h4DNmg

Advances in Space Research (ASR) Most Cited Articles - Free to Read

Top 5 Most Cited Articles in Advances in Space Research free to read in 2021 | Published 2019-2020

1. A review of the disc instability model for dwarf novae, soft X-ray transients and related objects
2. Flood susceptibility mapping by ensemble evidential belief function and binomial logistic regression model on river basin of eastern India
3. Small satellites for space science: A COSPAR scientific roadmap
4. GipsyX/RTGx, a new tool set for space geodetic operations and research
5. Simulating the impact of climate change on soil erosion in sub-tropical monsoon dominated watershed based on RUSLE, SCS runoff and MIROC5 climatic model

COSPAR updates its Planetary Protection Policy for missions to the Moon’s surface

• Press release
• Updated policy

Addressing the Climate Crisis

The climate of Earth is changing, imperiled by the relentless emission of greenhouse gases from our advancing civilization. The Arctic sea ice cover is disappearing, creating land and sea conditions never experienced in human history. Sea levels are rising, imperiling coastal communities where much of humanity resides. Precipitation patterns are changing, resulting in long periods of drought, imperiling our sources of food and reducing habitable locations. In an essay, The Climate Crisis. A Time of Peril.  A Time to Act., COSPAR President Len Fisk calls upon all nations to address the climate crisis, with urgency, deliberately, and with guidance provided by science, for our sake and that of all future generations.  The essay is published here, in the August issue of Space Research Today (SRT), A Forum for Discussion, and in the latest COSPAR News, Issue 9, with the expectation that it will result in discussion and comments.

New COSPAR Panel on Social Sciences and Humanities (PSSH)

Read the press release here.

Advances in Space Research - Editor's Choice Articles Free to Read

Selected articles free to read until 1 June 2022

Watch the Video - Keeping our World(s) Pristine - The Role of COSPAR's Panel on Planetary Protection

See the new video about the work of COSPAR's Panel on Planetary Protection.

International Science Council (ISC) Announces New Awards Program

COSPAR's mother organization, the International Science Council (ISC), is pleased to announce the creation of its new awards program.  Deadline for submission of nominations for the ISC Awards Programme 2021 has been extended to 8 March 2021.

COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (PPP)

• The next PPP Meeting will take place virtually on 15 February 2021. The meeting will be composed of an open session to which all interested parties are invited.
• Open Zoom meeting of the COSPAR Planetary Protection Panel on Monday 15 February 2021, 13.00-17.00 (CET) – register before 13 February by sending your name, affiliation, and e-mail address for connection to Panel Vice-Chair Niklas Hedman.