"The Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (EG SSA) was initiated under the Science and Technical subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) last July by the United Arab Emirates, which is serving as the chair. While the group has held two virtual "intercessionals" to kick start the discussions, the subcommittee's annual session Feb. 2-13 represents the first time group members have met in person."
"In a written statement Feb. 6, Ryan Guglietta, the US State Department representative to the meeting, welcomed the EG SSA, calling it "an unprecedented opportunity for Member States to convene their government and private sector technical experts to have substantive discussions on how to improve spaceflight safety." "We are optimistic that the group can deliver practical, tangible outcomes that help all actors in space communicate better and avoid collisions," he added."
Skyrocketing space traffic is increasing the risks of accidental collisions and misunderstandings that could lead to military conflicts. A new UN Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (EG SSA), initiated under the Science and Technical subcommittee of COPUOS in July by the United Arab Emirates as chair, is meeting in Vienna to develop practical information-sharing measures among nations. The group held two virtual intercessionals; the Feb. 2–13 subcommittee session is the first in-person meeting. Ryan Guglietta welcomed the EG SSA as an unprecedented opportunity for Member States to convene government and private-sector technical experts to improve spaceflight safety. The US delegation is led by NASA and the State Department and seeks broader engagement, including with China.
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