Difference between revisions of "Space Defense Initiative"

Latest revision as of 16:58, 3 September 2006

The Space Defense Initiative resolution reached the United Nations floor in April 2004, but failed to achieve a majority vote. A number of nations, including Groot Gouda objected to the resolution on the grounds that the construction of an asteroid killer was an expensive proposition and not the only way to address the risk of collision of a near earth object. During the draft proposal stage, Mikitivity suggested a number of amendements to the proposal in order to weaken the language of the resolution in an attempt to garner more support for what that government felt was an important issue. Several months after the Space Defense Initiative failed, Mikitivity submitted the Tracking Near Earth Objects resolution which was adopted by a supermajority.

Resolution text

Description:
RECOGNIZING, the calamitous consequences of an asteroid striking the Earth;

RECALLING, Asteroid 2004 FH, the 100 foot in diameter asteroid which, on 19 March 2004, passed perilously close to Earth;

RECOGNIZING, that the gravity of the harm of such an event justifies measured responsive action;

REAFFIRMING, the duty and obligation of the governments of all nations to defend its peoples;

REAFFIRMING, this council's resolution of 12 November 2002, "Fight the Axis of Evil," calling for an increase in defense spending;

REAFFIRMING, this council's resolution of 6 October 2003, "International Space Initiative", calling for international cooperation in the development and advancement of space based technology;

THE UNITED NATIONS, IN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED,

RESOLVES to undertake the research and development of an orbital defense platform designed to defend Earth from threatening interstellar objects;

URGES the development of proper equipment for said platform, possibly including, but not limited to, long range reconnaissance scanners, tractor beams and energy based cannons;

URGES but does not compel all nations to participate in this endeavor;

URGES each participating nation to contribute its maximum allowance in good faith;

RESOLVES that in order to prevent the orbital defense platform from improper application, each use and deployment of the platform be approved by full consensus of all participating nations;

DECIDES to remain seized of the matter

Votes For: 6,780

Votes Against: 9,988

Voting Ended (Failed): Thur Apr 15 2004

Additional materials

• Space Defense Initiative UN Floor Debate
• Tracking Near Earth Objects
• UN Timeline
• United Nations