PRIVATIZED SPACE CORPS VS NATIONAL SPACE AGENCIES
The Space Race between the United States and Soviet Union reached its dramatic climax when the first man set foot on the Moon. In the decades since, several new countries have joined the fray by developing their own space agencies. However, since the dawn of the new millennium, a new force has steadily emerged as a major player in humanity’s quest to conquer the stars: private space corporations. In this Joint-Crisis Committee set in the very near future, delegates will be divided into two factions representing government space agencies and private space companies. This committee will focus around the issue of the ever increasing presence of privatized space exploration.
The corporate players will focus on expanding their reach both on the ground and to the stars. On the other side, the government space agencies and regulatory bodies must contend with both their reliance on private space companies and their competition with one another. Delegates must carefully navigate this geopolitical game to ensure that their country or company is not left behind in this second Space Race.
In this crisis committee, the only limit is your imagination. While you may find cooperation in the short term, how long will it take for your interests to diverge once again? Good luck Delegates, and we’ll see you starside.
Galen Richardson is a sophomore studying Government and Politics and is enrolled in the Justice and Legal Thought College Park Scholars Program. He has been in Model UN since seventh grade and has previously served as a Crisis Director during UMUNC VI. For UMUNC VII, Galen will serve as the Lead Crisis Director for the Joint Crisis Committee, overseeing the backroom operations of both committees. Outside of UMUNC, Galen serves as the Senate President of the Maryland Student Legislature and as a Senator in the UMD Senate. In this JCC, Galen is very interested in seeing how each delegate chooses to approach the expansive topics of space exploration and privatization.
National Space Agencies
Simi Manthini is a junior pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Philosophy. Originally from Poolesville, Maryland, she's been with the Model UN team since freshman year. Last year, she was UMUNC's Undersecretary General of Logistics and acted as the joint crisis director for the JCC, so she's excited to be chairing the committee this year! Outside of UMUNC, Simi is a member of the Association for Women in Computing and works as a software engineering intern. Outside of extracurriculars, she enjoys baking, knitting, and roaming around DC. For the Space Race JCC, Simi is excited to see how delegates transform the skies with new legislation and technology.
Ava Rollino is a freshman majoring in Government and Politics. She is from New Jersey and has been competing in Model UN since high school. On campus, she is a part of the Honors Global Challenges and Solutions Community as well as the Residence Hall Association. In her free time, she loves to hang out with friends, go to DC, and watch football. For this JCC committee, Ava is very excited to see what everyone will bring to the table with debate and solutions!
Paul Fischi is a freshman, studying Government and Politics. He is from Syracuse, New York, and is in his fifth year of Model UN. This is his first year at UMUNC, and he's excited to bring his own brand of style to crisis updates and skits as a crisis director! Outside of committee, he is an avid runner and carb loader who enjoys composing music. Otherwise, you'll find him on capital commutes, and checking out the pre-law programs. Paul can't wait to see how delegates respond to updates in committee!
Privatized Space Corps
Jiya Patel is a freshman, studying Philosophy, Politics, & Economics. She is from Crofton, Maryland, and has been competing in Model UN since high school and is excited to continue her journey at UMD! She is excited to serve as Moderator for the Joint Crisis Committee for UMUNC VII. Outside of Model UN, Jiya is a member of Maryland Student Legislature and assists communities through the Justice & Legal Thought Scholars. Outside of UMUNC, you can find Jiya trying new cafes and hanging out with her friends. For this JCC, she is thrilled to see the creative solutions that delegates will come up with regarding the crisis of a new Space Race!
Tanvi Sripathi is a freshman studying Astronomy and Physics, with a minor in Computer Science. She is from Northern Virginia and has been in Model UN since high school. She is excited to serve as a Crisis Director for UMUNC VII. Tanvi is a member of the AstroTerps community, the Terrapin Trail Club, along with the Society of Physics Students. With the Second Space Race on the precipice, she hopes to see delegates shoot for the stars and push forward humanity's scientific and technological capabilities to heights we have never seen before. This is the final frontier, and the possibilities - and profits - are sure to be endless.