A workshop on human space technology will be held in Beijing, China, in September 2013, which is being initiated by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and will be hosted by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The workshop is part of the Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI) under the framework of the United Nations Program on Space Applications to promote global human space technology cooperation.

HSTI was established by UNOOSA in 2010 under the framework of the United Nations Program on Space Applications, aiming at promoting international cooperation on human space flight and space exploration-related activities, creating awareness among countries on the benefits of utilizing human space technology and its applications. And the Workshop will also aim to contribute to establishing institutional capacity in microgravity education and research. UNOOSA organized the first Expert Meeting on Human Space Technology in November 2011 in Malaysia. The planned Workshop in Beijing is the further extension of the United Nations’ Malaysia Expert Meeting. It will mainly focus on:

Exchanging the information on the latest developments and future plans of human space flight and space exploration

Creating the awareness on the benefits of human space technology and its applications

Promoting the capacity on microgravity research and education

Identifying the potential opportunities for new space-faring and emerging countries to participate in space exploration-related efforts.

The Workshop will also discuss the potential cooperation opportunities in the context of HSTI activities to promote human space technology and its applications to benefit the humankind.

The Workshop will attract senior experts, professionals and decision-making planners from the governmental departments, academic community and industry around the world. The updates and achievements on human space technology, relevant science research activities and education activities will be exchanged during the meeting. The Workshop will also promote the capacity in microgravity science and enhance international cooperation on human space exploration.