International Conferences on Planetary Exploration and Space Law Open in Bangalore

The Astronautical Society of India (ASI), in association with International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), is organizing a twin-event - IAA Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on "Advances in Planetary Exploration" and the IISL Space Law Conference - 2005 on "Bringing Space Benefits to the Asian region" at Bangalore during June 26-29, 2005. The Conference is sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Antrix Corporation.

The two international events, which will be attended by about 225 delegates, including about 75 from abroad (USA, China, Japan, Canada, France, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and others), assumes significance in the context of India a playing a significant role in the international arena on space related issues as well as important scientific missions like Chandrayaan-1 and ASTROSAT that the country has taken up recently. Further, this meet is also a forerunner to the forthcoming 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) - which India will host in New-Delhi during September 23-27, 2007.

Mr G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO will inaugurate the twin-meet at 9:15 am on Monday, June 27, 2005 at Hotel Artia on Palace Road. Director General of European Space Agency, Mr R Jean Jacques Dordain will be the Guest of Honour. President of IISL Mr N Jasentullyana and Former President of IAA Dr Michael Yarymovych will deliver opening addresses. The twin-meet, will for the first time, bring together two cadres of space professionals - scientists - who will address Planetary Exploration issues and the legal professionals - who would address policy and legal frameworks of space. The meet will be held in parallel session with a joint opening and closing plenary sessions.

The International Space Law Conference 2005 is 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 will address 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.

The 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. The 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.

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

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : June 24, 2005