SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING-NATIONS - AN ASSESSMENT

Space technology can make an immense contribution to solving the probl ems of the world as a whole, and the developing nations in particular. This report summarizes the use of satellites by developing countries in the fields of communications, remote sensing, disaster management a nd space science. India and China, in particular, have built up impres sive capabilities in several of these areas, but the great majority of developing countries still do not have access to this technology. The author addresses a number of proposals to the international community for bringing the satellite revolution to the developing world.