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Outer Space Institute Statement on the Duty to Assist Persons in Distress

OSI Fellow and Research Coordinator Beatriz Paiva Soeiro spoke on the subject of Duty to Assist Persons in Distress at the 65th Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space COPUOS Legal Subcommittee meeting on April 16th, 2026, urging a broad interpretation of relevant treaty provisions as private space travel continues to expand.

Listen to Beatriz’ statement at this link, beginning at 44:27
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1v/k1vqk00u0y

The CRASH Clock: A Key Environmental Indicator for assessing operational stress on orbit

On Feb 11th, 2026, OSI Co-Chair Aaron Boley delivered a technical presentation to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to introduce the CRASH Clock, a living resource to illustrate the expected time until a potential collision in low Earth orbit should all spacecraft maneuvers stop. More information on the CRASH clock can be found on the OSI website, here.

Aaron’s full presentation can be watched at this link, beginning at 2:14:35
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1ymvnvcxk

Outer Space Institute

Outer Space Institute
The University of British Columbia
225-6224 Agricultural Rd.
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Canada

coord@outerspaceinstitute.ca

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