Space Law: Overview

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Lyall
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
State Practice ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
The Many ◽  
Space Activities

Space law is composed of disparate elements of ordinary national laws and general international law. It has been created by the agreement of states as to the international law that should govern important technical and technological developments of the later 20th and the 21st century. That agreement is expressed in five general treaties; other treaty-level measures including as to the use of radio, declarations of principle, recommendations on the conduct of space activities, and by state practice. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), serviced by the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), plays a significant role in the development of the many aspects of space law, as do intergovernmental and nongovernmental agreements together with informal arrangements between space-active bodies.

India’s Quest for a National Space Law and the Missing Piece of Possessory Rights

2021 ◽  
pp. 097492842110477
Author(s):  
Athar ud din
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
National Space ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Emerging Powers ◽  
Space Activities

As the commercial use of outer space becomes feasible, the nature of possessory rights will potentially emerge as the central focus of future space-related activities. The existing international law relating to outer space does not address in detail the nature of possessory rights in outer space and is subject to multiple interpretations. Alarmingly, the recently adopted space policies and legislations by some States have taken a definitive position regarding commercial use of natural resources in outer space. In light of India’s increasing involvement in outer space, it circulated the Draft Space Activities Bill, 2017, to formulate a national space law. However, the nature of possessory rights in outer space is not addressed in detail in the Draft Space Activities Bill. This study states that on account of recent developments happening elsewhere, it is extremely important for emerging powers like India to take a position on broader issues like the nature of possessory rights in outer space (which includes celestial bodies as well as resources contained therein). Not addressing the issue of possessory rights in outer space could have profound implications at both domestic as well as international levels.

Space Law and Hazardous Space Debris

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Mejía-Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
State Practice ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Manned Space ◽  
Space Activities ◽  
Debris Mitigation

International space law is a branch of public international law. Norms of treaty law and customary law provide a foundation for the behavior of the subjects of international law performing space activities. Five multilateral space treaties are in effect, which are complemented by important recommendations of international organizations such as United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolutions and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regulations. The Inter-Agency Space Debris Mitigation Coordination Committee (IADC), a non-governmental body composed of several space agencies (for instance, the European Space Agency, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, the Russian Federal Space Agency), issued its Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines in 2002. The IADC defines “space debris” as “all man-made space objects including fragments and elements thereof, in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere, that are non-functional” (IADC, 2002, Revision 1, 2007, 3.1. Space Debris). Although the term “space debris” was not included in any space treaty, the drafters of the space treaties considered space objects as “hazardous” because “component parts of a space object as well as its launch vehicles and parts thereof” detach in course of normal launching operations, because space objects can fragment during an attempted launch, and because space objects that re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and survive friction have the potential to cause damage. In addition, radioactive and chemical substances on board space objects may represent a hazard to populations and the environment on the Earth. Besides the threats to aircraft in flight and to persons and property on the surface of the Earth, space debris in orbit is increasing alarmingly and poses a threat to manned space missions and non-manned space objects. While the Convention on International Liability for Damages Caused by Space Objects (Liability Convention, 1972) considers the threats of space objects during launch, in outer space, and when entering the Earth’s atmosphere, there have been efforts to minimize the generation of space debris in orbit, outside the framework of the space treaties. The IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines are a comprehensive list of recommendations to launching states, owners, and operators of space objects. They are increasingly recognized by states through the creation of codes of conduct, national legislation, recommendations of international organizations, and state practice. Furthermore, non-governmental institutions, like the International Organization for Standardization, are providing more detailed technical instructions for the implementation of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, which are a breakthrough for the application of the guidelines by states of different economic and technical standing. Even though states are reluctant to accept new obligations through treaties, recommendations and state practice are becoming powerful instruments to avert the dangers of hazardous space debris that may create damage on the Earth or in orbit. Space debris also is becoming one of the drivers for the initiatives of the United Nations on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities to promote the existing mitigation guidelines and to formulate new guidelines for clearing outer space of debris.

Formation of a modern international legal concept for the exploration and use of outer space

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kapustin ◽  
V. Avhadeev ◽  
A. Golovina ◽  
A. Kashirkina ◽  
E. Kienko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Legal Concept ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Activities

The exploration and use of outer space, which began in the mid-twentieth century, led to the formation of international space law, designed to regulate the relations of States in this relatively new sphere of human activity. The undulating nature of the development of this branch of international law, for objective reasons, has led to the complication of international legal regulation of space activities. The dynamics of scientific and technological progress and the development of technologies in the space sphere exacerbates competition between space powers and international organizations, creates new challenges for international cooperation in space exploration and requires innovative legal solutions. The doctrine of international law is faced with the task of generalizing new problems and processes and developing conceptual models for the further development of international space law. The dynamics of the conceptual perception of international space law is traced, new theoretical approaches to the concept of the international legal status of outer space and individual regimes and concepts of its use in modern conditions are proposed. Taking into account the trends in the institutionalization of international space activities and the impact of economic integration processes on international cooperation in space, primarily in the Euro-Asian region, the role of international organizations in the international legal regulation of space activities and the harmonization of national legislation is analyzed. In addition, certain aspects of future space exploration are considered as a legal forecast. For researchers, teachers, postgraduates and students, civil servants and practicing lawyers, as well as for anyone interested in the problems of modern international law.

scholarly journals Outer Space Law in Retrospect

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 4661-4671
Author(s):  
Tunku Intan Mainura
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
International Space ◽  
National Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Activities

The purpose of this article is to analyse the literature concerning legal framework for outer space activities by states. Review was conducted on the elements of national space law, including literature critiquing particular strengths or weaknesses of existing laws and literature, on the obligations placed on States under international law and on why writers make particular recommendations as to the content of legislation. The article will summarise the key elements one would anticipate finding in the outer space regulatory framework and which will form the structure of the analytical framework when considering how States implement international space law in practice.

International Space Law and Satellite Telecommunications

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Morozova ◽  
Yaroslav Vasyanin
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
International Telecommunication Union ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
Space Activities

International space law is a branch of international law that regulates the conduct of space activities. Its core instruments include five space-specific international treaties, which were adopted under the auspices of the United Nations. The first and the underlying one—the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty)—establishes that outer space is free for exploration and use by all states. Such fundamental freedom is exercised by a number of space applications that have become an integral part of modern human life and global economy. Among such applications, satellite telecommunications is the most widespread, essential, and advanced. Indeed, since 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite merely capable of continuous beeping during its 21-day trip around the globe, space technologies have progressed in leaps and bounds. Cutting-edge satellite telecommunications methods ensure instant delivery of huge amounts of data, relay of real-time voice and video, broadcasting of radio and television, and Internet access worldwide. By transmitting signals over any distance telecommunications satellites connect locations everywhere on Earth. A telecommunications satellite’s lifetime, starting from the launch and ending at de-orbiting, is governed by international space law. The latter considers satellites as “space objects” and regulates liability, registration, jurisdiction and control, debris mitigation, and touches upon ownership. Therefore, the first large group of international law rules applicable to satellite telecommunications includes provisions of three out of five UN space treaties, specifically, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, and the 1976 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, as well as several UN General Assembly resolutions. To carry out a communication function, satellites need to be placed in a certain orbit and to use radio-frequency spectrum, both limited natural resources. Access to these highly demanded resources, which are not subject to national appropriation and require rational, efficient, and economical uses in an interference-free environment, is managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies. The ITU’s core regulatory documents are its Constitution, Convention, and the Radio Regulations, which collectively make up another group of international law rules relevant to satellite telecommunications. Both groups of international law rules constitute the international legal regime of satellite telecommunications and face the challenge of keeping pace with technology advancement and market evolution, as well as with a growing number of states and non-state actors carrying on space activities. These tangible changes need to be addressed in the regulatory framework that cannot but serve as a driver for further development of satellite telecommunications.

Space Law

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans von der Dunk
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
International Law ◽  
Satellite Remote Sensing ◽  
Dispute Settlement ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Satellite Communications ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Activities

Space law is best defined as the law dealing in a substantial manner with human activities in outer space. Traditionally conceived as a branch of general public international law, space law was originally taken to refer in particular to a handful of United Nations–originating treaties of general scope, UN resolutions, and special multilateral or bilateral agreements specifically addressing space activities (such as establishing international space organizations or the framework for the international space station). Due to the indispensability of the use of radio frequencies for all space activities, certain aspects of international telecommunications law, developed in the context of the International Telecommunication Union, were also considered part of space law. Finally, in view of the political and military overtones of many space activities, major arms control agreements came to be considered part of space law. In the early days of space law, there was only a marginal body of customary international law that applied to it, and no jurisprudence. Over time, increasing technological developments gave rise to commercialization, and ultimately privatization, in many areas of space activities. Thus, on the one hand, other legal regimes became part of space law as they started to impact (certain) space activities, such as copyright law as a tool to protect investments in satellite remote sensing, international trade law to handle commercial satellite services being offered around the globe, or international financing law when it came to handling risks in satellite projects. On the other hand, the incursion of private entities into many areas of space activities resulted in a growth of national law and regulation (and in the specific European context, both European Union and European Space Agency law and regulation) in order to make sure such private activities would be appropriately subjected to, as well as accommodated by, the applicable international rules. Consequently, this article will address space law at international, national, and European levels, as well as address the major areas of space activities, including the military uses of outer space, launching, satellite communications, satellite remote sensing (including disaster monitoring), satellite navigation, space station operations, space debris and its mitigation, space resource utilization, space project financing, private human spaceflight (also known as space tourism), and dispute settlement issues regarding space activities.

scholarly journals PRINCIPLE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN MODERN INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW

2021 ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
O. A. POPOVA
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
International Law ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Outer Space Treaty

The article considers the principle of international cooperation within the framework ofmodern international space law. The author comes to the conclusion that the principle is a principle of general international law, but it has some features in international space law due to the specifi c of this branch. Such features include the implementation of international cooperation in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Outer Space Treaty; for the bene fi t and in the interests of all countries taking into special consideration the needs of the developing countries (In particular, obligation of the States to consider on a basis of equality any requests by other States Parties to the Outer Space Treaty to be aff orded an opportunity to observe the fl ight of space objects launched by those States and to inform the international community of their activities in outer space); on an equitable and mutually acceptable basis, using the most eff ective and appropriate modes of cooperation; in the fi eld of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The broad participation of the private sector in international space cooperation is also an important feature.

scholarly journals THE ARTEMIS ACCORDS: EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION IN INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Rossana Deplano
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Adaptive Governance ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
Human Exploration ◽  
Space Activities

Abstract Adopted in October 2020, the Artemis Accords are a set of 13 provisions establishing a principled framework for the sustainable human exploration of the Moon and the other celestial bodies, including the exploitation of their natural resources. This article examines the extent to which the Artemis Accords comply with international law and international standards. It argues that, while rooted on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords introduce a significant innovation in international space law by replacing the anticipatory approach to the regulation of outer space activities with the staged principle of adaptive governance.

The Development of Space Law: Applying the Principles of Space Law and Interpreting ‘Peaceful Purposes’ in the Outer Space Treaty 1967

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Fradhana Putra Disantara
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
Peaceful Purpose ◽  
Space Activities

This study analyzes the relevance of the proportionality, non-intervention, and unnecessary suffering principle's in the outer space perspective; and analyzes the 'peaceful purposes' at Outer Space Treaty 1967. This legal research uses primary and secondary legal materials to obtain an appropriate analysis of legal issues. This research states that the principles of international law must be applied in space activities by outer space actors. Furthermore, the ambiguity of the phrase 'peaceful purpose' in the Outer Space Treaty gives rise to different interpretations by each state. For this reason, a convention on outer space is needed to affirm the orientation of 'peace' in space activities. In the title, you focus on peaceful purposes meaning, but in this abstract, you extend it to the broader focus.

UNCOPUOS and ILA National Space Legislation Based on the Space Treaties

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The Body ◽  
Legal Text ◽  
International Space ◽  
National Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Principles And Standards ◽  
Model Law

This chapter begins with an introduction to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and the national space legislation based on the space treaties. This chapter describes the contents, research results, and perspective on the Model Law of National Space Legislation proposed by the UNCOPUOS and ILA. Especially, the author presents and comments on the contents of the legal text “Rules for Suborbital Activities Draft” proposed by the ILA Space Law Committee's Rapporteur. Outer space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and international law governing activities in outer space. Outer space law can be described as the body of law applicable to and governing space-related activities. The term “space law” is most often associated with the rules, principles and standards of international law appearing in the United Nation's five international space treaties.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document