UN Plans TO Launch Its First Space Mission In 2021

The United Nations (UN) will reportedly launch its first space mission on Sierra Nevada Corporations's Dream Chaser space plane in 2021. The aim of the mission is to give a chance to developing nations, with no space programs of their own, to fly payloads in microgravity and access space.

Though the mission is focused on giving developing countries the first chance, it will also be open to all the member states of UN. The payloads will be chosen by United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in 2018, and subsequently launched into low Earth orbit, i.e. approximately 1,200 miles above our planet, in 2021.  

"One of UNOOSA's main responsibilities is to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space," said Simonetta Di Pippo, UNOOSA Director. "I am proud to say that one of the ways UNOOSA will achieve this, in cooperation with our partner Sierra Nevada Corporation, is by dedicating an entire microgravity mission to United Nations Member States, many of which do not have the infrastructure or financial backing to have a standalone space program."

The Dream Chaser, measuring 30 feet in length, is a reusable spacecraft with small wings that was designed to make smooth landings on the runway. Sierra Nevada Corporation, the company behind the Dream Chaser, was awarded a contract from NASA, as well as SpaceX and Orbital ATK recently to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) from 2019 to 2024.

At present, UNOOSA is looking for sponsors to fund the mission. As per a report, the countries that will send payloads with the Dream Chaser will have to bear some of the costs, depending on how much they can afford.  The UN mission is embarking on the mission with the ultimate goal of making space an important environment for carrying out science experiments, especially for nations that have the means but not the money to take on such projects.