UNISPACE50

Screen video capture

Talents of women in space vital ‘to imagine the future’

17 August 2018
UN Gender Focus

UNISPACE+50, the fourth conference of the United Nations on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, was held in Geneva from the 18th to the 21st of June.  The need for more women and girls to take part in STEM studies - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - was foremost on the minds of many participants, as Fatima E Mendez has been finding out, in our latest UN Gender Focus podcast, from UN News.

Audio -
24'30"
UN News/Runa A

UN-backed programme helps Kenya become a space nation

29 June 2018
Interviews

In May, Kenya became a space nation with the launch of its first, very own, cube satellite, designated “1KUNS-PF” – which stands for “First Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight”.

UN News spoke with John Njoroge Kimani, the Lead Scientist and Coordinator at the Kenya Space Agency about its new satellite, and what it means for the country.

Audio -
5'22"
UNIS Vienna

Use space technology to build a better world for all, urges UN chief

20 June 2018
SDGs

Not only has space exploration captured the world’s imagination, it can also help humankind address existential challenges back on earth, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, in his message to the UN’s key forum on space affairs.

UN News/Vibhu Mishra

From low-earth orbit, ‘envoys’ of humanity join UN space forum

20 June 2018
SDGs

Floating in near zero-gravity, 400 kilometres above the Pacific Ocean and flying at over 28,000 kilometres per hour, the six crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) joined the key United Nations forum on outer space affairs via video link on Wednesday, to discuss the importance of working together.

UN News/Vibhu Mishra

Miniaturized satellite fleet helps sustainable development on Earth: UN space forum hears

19 June 2018
Interviews

Progress towards more than half of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being made thanks in part to a fleet of miniaturized satellites that have been launched into space, according to the founders of a company which takes a daily snapshot of the Earth’s surface.

Robbie Schingler, co-founder of the company Planet, told UN News at this week’s UN Outer Space Affairs’ (UNOOSA) UNISPACE 50 Symposium in Vienna, that his company can help reach at least 12 of the 2030 SDGs, with its imaging technology.

Audio -
10'49"
UNIS Vienna

If we can build the International Space Station, ‘we can do anything’ – UN Champion for Space

19 June 2018
SDGs

The sight of Earth, from hundreds of kilometers away in open space while you are tethered only to the International Space Station, is “absolutely amazing”, said Scott Kelly, the UN Champion for Space and former US astronaut, stressing that the world we live on “is our only planet.”

NASA/Bill Ingalls

Space science ‘superpowers’ can light the way to success for girls in ‘STEM’ fields, hears UN forum

19 June 2018
Women

On its opening day, a major United Nations forum on the peaceful uses of outer space, was issued a clear challenge to break through the so-called “glass ceiling” that prevents women and girls from achieving their full potential; especially in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Scott Kelly/NASA

Space science now a ‘fundamental pillar’ of 21st century human development: top UN space official

18 June 2018
SDGs

After “relentless” progress in space technology, the focus for the international community must now shift to ensuring that the benefits of space science are available to everyone, everywhere, a senior United Nations official told a major conference on Monday.

Scott Kelly/NASA

UN forum to explore use of outer space to improve lives, protect planet

16 June 2018
SDGs

Marking 50 years since the world first came together to discuss the peaceful uses of outer space, government leaders, policy makers, civil society representatives and space experts will gather at a United Nations forum in Vienna from Monday to explore the future course of global space cooperation for the benefit of humankind.