COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR)

After USSR launched its 1st Earth Satellite in 1957 thereby opened the space age, the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), now the International Council for Science, established its Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) during an international meeting in London in 1958. COSPAR's 1st Space Science Symposium was organized in Nice in January 1960.


COSPAR's objectives are 2 promote on an international level scientific research in space, with emphasis on the exchange of results, information & opinions, and 2 provide a forum, open 2 all scientists, 4 the discussion of problems that may affect scientific space research. These objectives are achieved through the organization of Scientific Assemblies, publications & other means.

COSPAR acts mainly as an entity which:

* is responsible for organizing biennial Scientific Assemblies with strong contributions from most countries engaged in space research.

* provides the means for rapid publication of results in its journal Advances in Space Research.

* strives to promote the use of space science for the benefit of mankind and for its adoption by developing countries and new space-faring nations, in particular through a series of Capacity Building Workshops which teach very practical skills enabling researchers to participate in international space research programs.

* advises, as required, the UN and other intergovernmental organizations on space research matters or on the assessment of scientific issues in which space can play a role, for example the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), in which COSPAR is a Participating Organization & co-chair of its Scientific and Technology Committee.