Solicitation for Federal Register Notice 11940: Seeking Private Sector Advisors for the United States Delegation to the 60th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC)

Background

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1959 to review international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, study space-related activities that could be undertaken by the United Nations, encourage space research programs, and study legal issues arising from the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

The 60th session of the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) will serve as a multilateral forum for 102 COPUOS members to discuss important issues concerning outer space. The United States delegation, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and comprised of representatives from multiple federal agencies, will participate in the discussions and represent U.S. interests. 

Items on the COPUOS STSC agenda set out in UN document A/AC.105/C.1/L.405 include:

• Long-term sustainability of outer space activities;
• Space debris;
• Space weather;
• Nuclear power sources;
• Space technology for sustainable socioeconomic development;
• Space and global health;
• Near-Earth objects;
• Disaster management support;
• Global navigation Satellite Systems;
• Remote sensing;
• Geostationary orbit; and
• Dark and quiet skies.

Request

In alignment with the Department of State’s notice on “Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events on Spaceflight Safety, Sustainability, and Emerging Markets in Outer Space ” of December 20, 2022 (87 FR 77911 ), the U.S. Department of State is seeking qualified individuals to participate as private sector advisors on the U.S. delegation to the 60th session of COPUOS STSC.  Interested individuals should:

• Have experience working in the space sector;
• Currently work for a U.S. company, non-governmental organization, or academic institution that focuses on space issues; and
• Have expertise and relevant experience in at least one of the topics listed above.

If selected, an individual will participate on the U.S. delegation throughout the COPUOS STSC session. Private sector advisors may be invited to attend delegation meetings, provide informed viewpoints to the delegation on relevant topics, and attend relevant sessions or other informal meetings of the 60th COPUOS STSC.

Logistics

• The 60th session of the COPUOS STSC is scheduled to meet February 6 to 17, 2023 in hybrid format with an in-person component at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.
• There will be two, two-hour sessions of the plenary each weekday. Attendance at the plenary sessions is at the participant’s discretion.
• Participants will not receive compensation for their time or travel expenses, if applicable.
• Consistent with current policy, participants may not be registered lobbyists, as defined by 2 USC § 1601 et. seq.
• Participation is subject to the provisions of Public Notice 665: Participation of Private Sector Representatives on U.S. Delegations (44 FR 17846 ).
• The overall number of selections will be determined by U.S. policy priorities for the 60th session of the STSC and is not expected to exceed 3 to 4 private sector advisors.
• There may be additional opportunities to participate in side events and workshops during the meeting.

How to Participate

To express interest in participating as a private sector advisor on the U.S. delegation, please submit the following material by January 16, 2023:

• A brief description of your organization (max 300 words);
• An explanation of why you would like to participate on the delegation to the 60th session of the COPUOS STSC and how your experience and expertise are relevant to the work of COPUOS (max 500 words); and
• A curriculum vitae.

Please e-mail the above materials to gugliettart@state.gov.

The expressions of interest will be reviewed and individuals will be informed if they are invited to participate on the delegation by January 20, 2023.

Additional Opportunity: Deliver a Technical Presentation During the COPUOS STSC

Request

The U.S. delegation is also seeking expressions of interest to deliver a technical presentation on the role of the private sector in one of the following topics:

• The effects of satellites on astronomy; or
• Advances in in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM).

If selected, the presentation will be:

• Limited to 12 minutes in length;
• Delivered in person or virtually during the “Technical Presentations” slot of the plenary. Preference can be given to the afternoon sessions for virtual presentations; and
• Approved by the head of the U.S. delegation in advance of the presentation.

If you wish to be considered for a technical presentation, please e-mail the following information – in addition to the material listed above for private sector advisors – to gugliettart@state.gov with the words “Technical Presentation” in the subject line of your e-mail:

• A brief description of the focus of your proposed presentation and how it addresses topics under discussion at the 60th session of the COPUOS STSC (max 300 words)

Original source can be found here.