Terms of reference for the Space Heritage Task Force
WAC recognises that the material culture and places associated
with space exploration are significant at individual, local, organisational,
national and international levels. As space industries and eventual space
colonisation develop in the 21st century, it is necessary to consider
what and how elements of this cultural heritage should be preserved for
the benefit of present and future generations.
The material culture of space exploration extends from
the surface of the Earth to beyond the Solar System. In astronomy and
rocketry its beginnings date from well before the Second World War. Sites,
places and objects related to space exploration include research and development
sites; launch facilities and tracking stations on Earth; satellites and
so-called space junk in orbit round Earth; spacecraft and space debris
in orbit around other bodies in the Solar System; landing and crash sites
on the Moon, Mars, Venus, a small selection of asteroids and soon some
of the moons of the outer planets, as well as both space and Earth-based
telescopes and associated equipment and infrastructure.
As a basis for effective management, the significance of
the material culture of space exploration must be understood. The Task
Force will:
- Identify themes
relating to space exploration with specific reference to the impact of
space exploration on non-spacefaring nations, developing countries and
Indigenous peoples;
- Investigate ways
of assessing significance at individual, local, organisational, national
and international levels.
Some sites, places and objects may have significance far
beyond the local or national level. The Task Force will:
- Identify examples
of such places, sites and objects that have exceptional cultural heritage
value and whose preservation will benefit all humankind;
- Investigate avenues
for preservation within existing structures, for example, the World Heritage
Convention;
- Propose a set of
cultural, historical, social and scientific criteria for preserving space
heritage places of exceptional cultural heritage value.
The cooperation of international space agencies, national
space agencies, the aerospace industry and the principal astronomical
and astronautical associations is an essential part in ensuring the appropriate
management of the cultural heritage of space exploration. The Task Force
will:
- Identify relevant
international and national organisations;
- Lobby relevant
international and national bodies to ensure participation in preservation
efforts;
- Explore avenues
for raising sufficient funds for the preservation and where feasible conservation
of at least a selection of space heritage places, sites and objects deemed
of greater or exceptional significance.
The Space Heritage Task Force will present an interim report
at the next WAC Inter-Congress conference.
A.C. Gorman and J.B. Campbell, November 2003
For more information, please email Alice
Gorman or John Campbell
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