Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth From Outer Space

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 72 International co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space, published in 1986.

Who cites this mandate in the budget?

1 entity

Entity	(Sub-)Programme	Title	Total mandates cited	Expenditure
	Programme 5	Peaceful uses of outer space	38

Historical expenditure covers the complete programme or subprogramme, not this mandate. For an overview of all UN entities and programmes, see UN entities and programmes.

Who cites this mandate in the budget?

1 entity

Entity	(Sub-)Programme	Title	Total mandates cited	Expenditure
	Programme 5	Peaceful uses of outer space	38	—

Historical expenditure covers the complete programme or subprogramme, not this mandate. For an overview of all UN entities and programmes, see UN entities and programmes.

What subjects does this mandate have?

2 subjects

Principles Remote Sensing

What’s in this document?

1 operative paragraph

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Adopts the principies relating to remote sensing of the Earth from space set forth in the annex to the present resolution.

IV.

ANNEX

Principies Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space

For the purposes of thesc principies with respect lo remole sensing activities:

(a) The lerm ··remole sensing'" means the sensing ofthe Earth's surface from space by making use of the properties of electromagnetic waves emitted, reflected or diff"racted by the sensed objects, for the purpose of improving natural resources management, land use and the protection of the environment;

(b) The term "primary data'" means those raw data lhal are acquired by remole sensors borne by a space object and thal are transmitted or delivered to the ground from space by telemetry in the form of electromagnetic signals, by photographic film, magnetic tape or any other means;

(e) The lerm "processed data" means the products resulting from the processing of lhe primary data, needed in order to make such data usa ble:

(e/)

The term "analysed informatíon" means the information resulting from the interpretation of processed data, inputs of data and knowledge from other sourccs;

(e) The term "remole sensing activities" means the operatíon of remote sensing space systems, primary data collection and storage stations, and activities in processing, inlerpreting and disseminating the processed data.

Principie II Remole sensing activities shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of ali countries, irrespective of their degree of economic, social or scientific and technological development, and taking into particular consideration the needs of the developing countries.

Pri nciple I II Remole sensing activities shall be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter ofthe United Nations, the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities ofStates in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,24 and the relevan! instruments ofthe lnternational Telecommunication Union

Principie IV Remole sensing aclivities shall be conducted in accordance with the principies contained in article I of the Treaty on Principies Goveming the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which, in particular provides that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of ali countries, irrespective oftheir degree of economic or scientific development, and stipulates the principie of freedom of exploration and use of outer space on a basis of equality. These activities shall be conducted on the basis of respect for the principie of full and permanent sovereignty of ali States and peoples over their own wealth and natural resources, with due regard to the rights and interests, in accordance with international law, of other States and entities under their jurisdiction. Such activities shall not be conducted in a manner detrimental to the legitimate rights and interests of the sensed State.

Principie V States carrying out remole sensing aclivities shall promote international co-operation in these activities. To this end, they shall make available to other Stales opportunities for participation therein. Such participation shall be based in each case on equitable and mutually acceptable terms.

Principie VI In order to maximize the availability of benefits from remote sensing activities, States are encouraged through agreements or other arrangements to provide for the establishment and operation of data collecting and storage stations and processing and interpretation facilities, in particular within the framework of regional agreements or arrangements wherever feasible.

Principie Vil States participating in remote sensing activities shall make available technical assistance to other intercsted States 011 mutually agreed term,

Principie Vl Il The United Nations and the relevan! agencies within the Umted Nations system shall promote international co-operation, including technical assistance and co-ordination in the area of remole sensing.

Pri nciple IX In accordance with article IV of the Convention on RegiMration of Objects Launched into Outer Spacc25 and article XI of the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, a State carrying out a programme of remole sensing shall inform the Secretary- General of the United Nations. lt shall, moreover, make available any other relevan! information to the greatest extent feasible and practicahlr

24 Resolution 2222 (XXI), annex.

25 Resolution 323'i (XXIX), annex to any other State, particularly any developing country that ts atfected by the programme, at 1ts request.

Principie X Remole sensing shall promote thc protection ofthe Earth's natural environment.

To this end, States participating in remole sensing activities that have identified information in their possession that is capable of averting any phenomenon harmful to the Earth's natural environment shall disclose such information to States concerned

Pri nciple XI Remole sensing shall promote the protection of mankind from natural disasters.

To this end, States participating in remole sensing activities that havc identified processed data and analysed information in their possession that may be useful to States atfected by natural disasters, or likely to be atfected by impending natural disasters, shall transmit such data and information to States concerned as promptly as possible.

Principie XII As soon as the primary data and the processed data concerning the territory under its jurisdiction are produced, the sensed Sta te shall have access to them on a non-discriminatory basis and on reasonable cost terms The sensed State shall also have access to the available analysed information concerning the territory under its jurisdiction in the possession of any State participating in remole sensing activities on the same hasis and terms, taking particularly into account the nccds and interests of the developing countries.

Principie XIII To promote and intensify international co-operation, especially with regard to the needs of developing countries, a State carrying out remole sensing of the Earth from outer space shall, u pon request, enter into consultations with a State whose territory is sensed in order to make available opportunities for participation and enhance thc mutual benefits to he derived therefrom.

Principie XIV In compliance w1th article VI of the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, States opcrating remote sensing satellites shall bear international responsibility for their activitie, and assure that such activities are conducted in accordance with these principies and the norms of international law, irrespective of whether such activities are carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities or through international organizations to which such States are parties. This principie i, without prejudicc to the applicahility or the norms of international law on State responsibility for remole sensing ac· tivities.

Principie XV Any dispute re,ultmg from the application ofthese pnnciples shall he

resolved through !he establíshed procedures for the peaceful settletnenl of disputes.

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