The multicriteria approach for cost and specification optimization in space operations

The multicriteria approach, by its formalised and operational character, is a methodology well adapted to take into account simultaneously costs and other criteria (time scales, political criteria) from the beginning of the design phase.     

The Space Policy Summit

A Space Policy Summit of high-level individuals from government, industry and international organizations was held in Houston, TX immediately before the World Space Congress in October 2002. It provided a forum for the discussion of long-term space policy issues in the fields of commercial space exploitation, public good applications and space exploration. This report presents the background to the decision to hold such a summit, and discusses selected issues and recommendations.     

The commercial development of space: is an international regulatory framework needed?

The commercial space sector to date has failed to develop comprehensive regulations--"rules of the road"--for its international activities. Within the next 5 years, conflicts with respect to international trade in satellite sales and launch services could emerge, highlighting the need for such a regulatory framework. If the commercial space sector is to continue to develop, it is important to begin discussions now, before these conflicts become significant, on the elements of an appropriate international regulatory framework. The existing framework for space activities was developed when government, not commercial, space activities were dominant, or was adapted from regulations in other sectors such as terrestrial telecommunications.