In response to the UN General Assembly Resolution (45/72 of 11th December, 1990) endorsing the recommendations of UNISPACE-82, the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UN-OOSA) prepared a project document (A/AC.105/534) envisaging the establishment of Centers for Space Science and Technology Education in the developing countries. In 1994, a UN team conducted an evaluation mission of six countries in Asia-Pacific region. Based on the report of the evaluation mission, UN-OOSA notified India as the host country for establishment of Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP). The Centre was established in India on November 1, 1995 under an agreement signed initially by 10 member countries of the region. The Centre is hosted by the Government of India with Department of Space (DOS), as the nodal agency. DOS has made available appropriate facility and expertise to the Centre through the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), at Dehradun, Space Applications Centre (SAC), at Ahmedabad and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), at Ahmedabad.
- Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System,
- Satellite Communications,
- Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate,
- Space and Atmospheric Science,
- Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
It is expected that these programme will result in the development and growth of capacities that will enable the member countries to enhance its knowledge, understanding, and practical experience in those aspects of space science and technology that have the potential for a greater impact on its economic and social development, including the preservation of its environment. Towards this the Centre will strive to be an education and research institution, capable of high attainments in the development and transmission of knowledge in all relevant fields of space science and technology.
A set of standard curricula developed by the United Nations is adapted for the educational programmes. The Centre is affiliated to the United Nations and its educational programmes are recognized by Andhra University, India.