58 Countries Nominate Delegates to the CANEUS Shared Small Satellites Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

58 Countries Nominate Delegates to the CANEUS Shared Small Satellites Initiative

Montreal, Quebec (August 6, 2010) - Representatives from more than 80 countries and international organizations worldwide are expected to meet in Tuscany, Italy for three days from October 20 to 22, 2010, to create a concept for space-based communications infrastructure owned and operated by a multi-national cooperative.

To-date, 58 countries representing the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia regions have confirmed their participation by nominating delegates to this global initiative, and the number continues to increase weekly as more countries, particularly those from the developing world recognize the advantages of a shared space-based satellite program.

The Time is Right for Coordinated Small Satellite Efforts

Small satellite technology has reached maturity and more countries see the need for satellite-based technology in many fields. Up until now, it has not been possible to establish a sufficiently affordable and transparent capability to allow ALL nations to participate in a global cooperative framework of MBR situational awareness.

Over 75 members of an International organizing committee representing the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and other international agencies are making the priority to ensure global participation in formulating and implementing the Shared Small Satellites concept using a fractional ownership model. The goal is to achieve a low-cost, internationally shared space-based data collection and distribution backbone with exceptionally low barriers to entry for participating nations and high mutual benefits in the fields of safety, security, and governance for all involved.

The CANEUS Shared Small Satellites Conference in Italy will be the largest international Small Satellites for CSSP meeting bringing together end-users, satellite developers, policy-makers, and funding organizations from both developing and developed countries.

UN COPUOS, APEC, NATO, IALA, IAA, EC, MOWCA-Africa, to name a few, will play a major role in defining the issues that face the safety and security of all involved countries, which will be addressed by the CANEUS Shared Small Satellites Concept.

“Shared Small Satellites concept using a fractional ownership model: The goal is to achieve a low-cost, internationally shared space-based data collection and distribution backbone with exceptionally low barriers to entry for participating nations and high mutual benefits in the fields of safety, security, and governance for all involved.”

Long-lasting Impact

While there is still work to be done, the CANEUS Shared Small Satellites initiative will demonstrate that the international community is ready to work together to address collective issues of safety, security and prosperity.

"Recently, many countries have voiced their desire for space based global cooperation. We recognize that the journey from Concept to Implementation will be measured in more than just the number of delegates, but will instead be measured in the progress to be made in delivering the commitment," added the CSSP International Organizing Committee Co-Chair Milind Pimprikar.

"Through these commitments, we hope that this Shared Small Satellites initiative will mark not only an historical milestone, but rather, a new beginning."

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