G. Haskell - Böcker

This volume should appeal to those who wish to appreciate the breadth of space activities relevant to preserving the environment and to improving life on Earth for all humanity. A wide range of topics, including global concerns, Earth remote sensing, telecommunications and other space applications are examined from organizational, financial, technical and philosophical perspectives. A selection of papers which were presented at the first Annual Symposium organized by the International Space University is published here.

Space is no longer the special, protected domain that it was in the past. Because of the importance of its practical applications, it is becoming integrated into the mainstream of economic activity. Technology push is giving way to the assessment of market opportunities and demand pull. Funding from the public sector is declining while interest in private financing is steadily growing. The value-added and service industries are increasing in importance. New technologies will be developed in a context of privatization, de-regulation and globalization. An international and interdisciplinary symposium was organized by the International Space University to bring together a diverse group of people, technical and non-technical, engaged in the creation of new approaches to space applications, in order to share experiences and to exchange ideas on the way forward.

Recent developments in telecommunications have led to new developments in teleservices, particularly tele-health and tele-education, for the benefit of those living in either the developed world or the less developed world. The benefits accrue to individuals and also to society at large. An international and interdisciplinary Symposium was organized by the International Space University to bring together technical and non-technical people to consider the future applications of space techniques to tele-services. The Proceedings of this Symposium are essential reading for all who need to appreciate the broad range of issues involved in this developing area.

Addressing issues of ISS utilization and operations from all perspectives, especially the commercial viewpoint, as well as for scientific research and technological development, and education in the widest sense of the word this text should be of interest to those working in industry, academia and government, particularly in public-private partnerships.

G. Haskell, Symposium Programme Committee Chair, Vice President, Administration and Programme Development, International Space University e-mail: Haskell@isu.isunet.edu M. Rycroft, Faculty Member, International Space University e-mail: Rycroft@isu.isunet.edu The theme of the fourth annual symposium arranged by the International Space University (ISU) was "International Space Station: The Next Space Marketplace". The Symposium covered this topic from the uniqu- interdisciplinary, international and intercultural - perspectives of ISU. It focussed on significant issues related to policy, innovative management, commerce, regulation, education and outreach rather than concentrating on engineering and scientific issues. Although admirable progress has already been made in defining the utilisation of the International Space Station (ISS) in its early operational phases, what does the future hold? What important new applications will arise? What commercial opportunities may emerge? And how will the political, legal and financial hurdles be overcome, not to mention the technical challenges? The aim of the Symposium was to discuss such questions and draw out new ways of using the Space Station in the future. Among the 120 attendees were members of the fourth Master of Space Studies class, young professionals and postgraduate students who are developing the Symposium's theme in their Team Project. Their comprehensive overview of the subject is presented as an Annex here. Their final report on the Team Project will be completed at the end of July 1999, and published separately.

Recent developments in telecommunications have led to new developments in tele-services, particularly tele-health and tele-education, for the benefit of those living in either the developed world or the less developed world. The benefits accrue to individuals and also to society at large. An international and interdisciplinary Symposium was organized by the International Space University to bring together technical and non-technical people to consider the future applications of space techniques to tele-services. The Proceedings of this Symposium are essential reading for all who need to appreciate the broad range of issues involved in this developing area.