Leveraging Space Diplomacy For Humanitarian Outcomes
In the evolving landscape of space diplomacy, a paradigm shift is underway. The focus is no longer solely on abstract agreements, but on tangible outcomes that benefit people on the ground. The humanitarian use of space, particularly in providing health and emergency services, is a critical area where this shift is taking place.
To safeguard this use of space, responsibility must be shared among national governments, international organizations, and industry players. Governments should take the lead in protecting satellites that provide vital services from counter-space threats. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and multilateral coalitions like the International Charter or CEOS can coordinate rapid access to commercial satellites during crises.
Industry coalitions can help keep Earth observation data open, interoperable, and actionable for health purposes. Governments, NGOs, and private firms are also co-financing pilot projects that bring space-enabled services to last-mile communities. These efforts are yielding promising results. For instance, the Health Wagon mobile clinic in rural Appalachia has successfully incorporated Starlink satellite broadband to establish dependable telehealth capabilities.
This has enabled the clinic to access electronic medical records, forward retinal imaging for analysis, and conduct real-time remote consultations. A similar initiative in Guyana has established 53 operational telemedicine stations, with plans to expand to approximately ← →
To make sure this humanitarian use of space is protected and expanded, responsibility must be shared.
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