China's Space Station Will Be Open to Science from All UN Nations

[LongTomH]

China's Space Station Will Be Open to Science from All UN Nations:

China is working with the United Nations to help arrange scientific experiments aboard that country's space station.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and China's Manned Space Agency have invited applications from UN member states to conduct experiments on China's space station (CSS).

In 2016, the two signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to develop the space capabilities of UN member states via opportunities to use the station, which China expects to be operational by 2022.

The "announcement of opportunity" and application instructions for this initiative were released at a ceremony hosted by UNOOSA and the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna on Monday (May 28).

According to a UN press release, "the UNOOSA-CMSA initiative aims to:

• promote international cooperation in human spaceflight and activities related to space exploration;
  
• provide flight experiment and space application opportunities on-board the CSS for United Nations member states;
  
• promote capacity-building activities by making use of human spaceflight technologies, including facilities and resources from China's human spaceflight program; and
  
• promote increased awareness among United Nations Member States of the benefits of utilizing human space technology and its applications."

Hey, remember when we used to be the world leader in space?