The United Nations is planning to launch its first space mission in 2021, in the hope of helping developing countries without a space program. Specifically, the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) will be teaming up with the Sierra Nevada Corporation. The UNOOSA aims to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. The Sierra Nevada Corporation is making the Dream Chaser, which is a reusable spacecraft that can return to Earth and land at a regular airport. The United Nations plans to use this space program to “reach out to communities and to countries and to young people around the world who may never have had the opportunity to do something in space.”
The first test mission for the space mission will be to launch the Dream Chaser for a 14-day flight in low Earth orbit. The Dream Chaser itself is roughly the size of a regional jet and the corporation plans to make it with 20-25 laboratory stations for various countries to do experiments in microgravity. Experiments on the Dream Chaser may include testing the growth of cereal crops in microgravity or carrying out studies dealing with energy, microbiology or medicine. The space program may be aimed towards developing countries, but any United Nations member state can apply to participate in the program. Also, since the Dream Chaser is a vehicle that can land at any airport, people from around the world may be able to see what the Dream Chaser is like.
The Dream Chaser can also be used to transport cargo or disposal services for the International Space Station under one of NASA’s commercial resupply contracts. Additionally, since the International Space Station is low enough in the Earth’s orbit, the Dream Chaser can be crewed or uncrewed when it reaches the ISS. The UN member states may also have the opportunity to apply to do experiments on the International Space Station or on China’s planned space station as well.
Funding for the spacecraft still remains a significant necessity. The spacecraft will be built and funded under other programs. Plus, each country providing an experiment will pay a fee, and the program aims to get the experimental fee down to a manageable number so that everyone has a chance to participate in the United Nations’ space program. The UN is trying to find sponsors to cover the cost of funding as well. NASA estimates the space flight to be $1.7 million to build and another $450 million per mission.
I believe that the United Nations space program is a new opportunity for all UN member states. Developing countries who are member states may be able to do scientific experiments and perform space missions that they could have never done before. It gives them a chance to learn what other developed countries are doing in science and technology. By these developing countries learning new technologies, scientific ways and space exploration, they may be able to significantly shape our future for the better.
