1. Terms of Reference for the Near-Earth Object Threat Mitigation
Space Missions Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG)
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

2. Discussions within UN COPUOS

3. Draft ToR for the SMPAG have been prepared during several meetings of the AT-14
The ToR should be discussed/iterated (and hopefully completed) during this meeting
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

4. Content of ToR for SMPAG
Purpose
Rationale
Scope
Membership
Organizational structure
Tasks and members of the Steering Committee
Meetings
Release of SMPAG data, Findings, and Reports
Terms and Conditions
Points 1-4 have already been iterated in more detail in previous meetings.
All points are still open for discussion.
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

5. Content of ToR for SMPAG
Purpose
To prepare for and respond to a NEO threat through:
Exchange of information
Development of options for collaborative research and missions
Conducting planning for asteroid mitigation campaigns
Build consensus among members on recommendations for planetary defense measures
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

6. Content of ToR for SMPAG
2. Rationale
The threat of an asteroid or comet impact is a real and global issue demanding an international response
To address such a hazard requires acting cooperatively by the global community
SMPAG is a forum to:
exchange relevant information,
assess techniques and options,
prepare responses,
develop technical consensus on possible actions
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

7. Content of ToR for SMPAG
3. Scope
13 points listed (a. – m.). Four broad areas:
Reference missions, scenarios, technology, and decision criteria/thresholds
Communications
Legal and policy issues
Event oriented operations
Cooperative activities through arrangements among member states
Data and information exchange normally without restrictions
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

8. Content of ToR for SMPAG
4. Membership
Space Agencies or governmental or inter-governmental entities that coordinate and fund space activities
Members are countries or national or international space organizations which can contribute to a space based NEO mitigation campaign
New members can join if all existing members agree
Experts from other organization can be included in delegations
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

9. Content of ToR for SMPAG
5. Organizational structure
A Steering Committee
Ad-hoc working groups (TBC)
TBD
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

10. Content of ToR for SMPAG
6. Tasks and members of the Steering Committee
Chairmanship of the Steering Committee (SC) will rotate at 2 year intervals
Chair will be nominated by members and confirmed by majority vote of the SC
Representatives from the IAWN shall be ex-officio members of the SC
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

11. Content of ToR for SMPAG
7. Meetings
Meetings will be hosted by and rotate between members
The schedule of SMPAG meetings will be established by the SC. Interval shall not be longer than 1 year.
Host of each meeting will act as chair for the meeting
General meeting expenses will be born by the host member
Each member will cover travel costs of its representatives
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

12. Content of ToR for SMPAG
8. Release of SMPAG Data, findings, and Reports
Data, findings and reports of special interest will be released to the public with the approval of the Steering Committee.
Releases could be via the SMPAG web site, journal papers, conferences, news media or other means.
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany

13. Content of ToR for SMPAG
9. Terms and Conditions
The ToR can be modified or terminated by consensus of the members.
The ToR demonstrate the mutual interest to exchange information on the NEO threat mitigation and develop recommended responses.
The ToR do not establish any obligation or legal requirement to do so.
Any member can decide to withdraw its membership at any time.
Each member shall provide its own funding for its activities.
1st SMPAG meeting 6/7 Feb , ESA/ESOC, Germany