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UNIS/OS/226 |
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VIENNA, 7 February (UN Information Service) – Two symposia are to take place during the thirty-eighth session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), Conference Room III. A symposium on Terrestrial Hazards from Outer Space Objects and Phenomena will provide a broad overview of the hazards that a variety of outer space objects and phenomena present to the Earth. During two afternoon sessions on 12 and 13 February 2001 speakers from two international space research organizations: the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), will address both natural hazards and hazards created by human activity, and will review the current status of international efforts to control them. Topics will include collision hazards from near Earth objects and environmental effects of human space activities. An industry symposium on Emerging Applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems will be held on 19 February 2001. Speakers from around the world, from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Western Europe, as well as South and North America will focus on the emerging applications of global navigation satellite systems, in particular, to address the needs of developing countries in improving the productivity of national and regional infrastructures in areas such as: transportation; oil and gas networks; precision agriculture; telecommunications; and disaster preparedness and relief. There will be panel discussions by speakers with interactions with the audience. Presentations will also be made by leading experts during the two-week session of the Subcommittee from 12 to 23 February. Topics will include how space technology can be used to mitigate the affects of natural disasters. An exhibit of displays and demonstrations of Global Navigation Satellite Services and products during and after the symposium is being planned. * * * * * |
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