REGIONAL EFFORTS TO ADVANCE SPACE SUSTAIN ABILITY: SPOTLIGHT ON LATIN AMERICA

摘要

With significant momentum in the expansion of government, industry, and academic space activities in the region, Latin America (Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean) presents a case study of how regional dynamics can shape attitudes towards space sustainability and its role in activities under development. This paper will build on past research to identify common themes, existing or planned activities, and related issues by drawing on the findings of a workshop implemented by the Secure World Foundation and its partners in April 2015. The "Regional Workshop on the Long-term Sustainability of Space Activities" engaged international space policy experts, and representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) countries members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). The workshop served as a platform to advance space sustainability discussions in the region and to identify opportunities for collaboration in this area. In addition to reporting on the findings of this workshop, this paper draws from relevant articles, official statements, and available transcripts of events relevant to the subject to suggest areas of future work, particularly as space sustainability efforts reach critical decision points.