Implications of the WRC-15 meeting on space.
The latest meeting of the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15), closed on November 27. The WRC-15 set out the basic principles for allocating international communications spectra for the next four years, affecting telecommunications operators in 193 member states. It also responded to growing demands for satellite-based airliner flight tracking. However, a number of uncertainties affecting some aspects of space-based communications, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control systems, were not resolved.
The ITU-led international regime will come under increasing pressure from commercial interests.
It will also face challenges from political interests dissatisfied with the status quo.
As a result the ITU system will struggle to maintain consensus on space-related issues.
