The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Figure 1: Boundaries of the Arctic Council Working Groups

Arctic boundaries

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For the purposes of this study, a precise definition is not important. Rather, our work has been guided by the definitions of the Arctic policies of the national, regional, international, and private organizations interested in the Arctic.

by the colour coding of the policy area (low, medium, or high). Then, Figure 3 maps the contribution that each type of space system can make to each policy area (low, medium, or high).

The colour coding of the policy areas and space systems is carried through the subsequent sections:

2. SUMMARY The following sections summarize the contribution that the six classes of space technologies (communications, weather and climate, navigation, earth observation, surveillance, and science) can make to the five key policy areas (safety, environment, sustainable economic development, sovereignty, and indigenous and social development) and their related sub- issues. First, Figure 2 maps the different Arctic policies that were reviewed in this study against the policy areas that they address. The relative interest in each policy area, as indicated by the frequency with which it is mentioned in a policy, is indicated

High priority policy or relevance of space system

Medium priority policy or relevance of space system

Low priority policy or relevance of space system

The final section of the chapter reviews the status of the space system classes. 2.1 Safety 2.1.1 Marine Transportation The primary safety risks for marine transportation in the Arctic are from sea ice, icebergs and ice islands. Not surprisingly, given the

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 8