State Liability for Outer Space Activities in accordance with the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage caused by Space Objects. By Bruce A. Hurwitz. Utrecht Studies in Air and Space Law, No. 11. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff, 1992. 245 pp.  61

1994 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 428-429
Author(s):  
F. Lyall
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
State Liability ◽  
International Liability ◽  
Space Activities

International Liability for Commercial Space Activities and Related Issues of Debris

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Morozova ◽  
Alena Laurenava
Keyword(s):  
Space Debris ◽  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Air Space ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
International Liability ◽  
Space Activities

Space activities are technically sophisticated, challenging, and high risk endeavors. Notwithstanding precautionary measures that are taken by commercial operators, damage may be caused during space objects’ launching, passing through air space, in-orbit maneuvering and operating, and de-orbiting. The rules and procedures aimed at ensuring the prompt payment of a full and equitable compensation for such damage constitute the international liability regime, which is of crucial importance in space law. The first reference to international liability for damage caused by space objects and their component parts on the Earth, in air space, or in outer space, can be traced back to the very beginning of the space era. In 1963, just few years after the first ever artificial satellite was launched, international liability was declared by the UN General Assembly as one of the legal principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space. It was later made legally binding by inclusion in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and received further development in the 1972 Liability Convention. The latter is generally referred to as lex specialis when the interrelation between the two international treaties is described and introduces several provisions that treat liability for damage caused in specific circumstances somewhat differently. International space law imputes liability on states that launch or procure launchings of space objects and states from whose territory or facility space objects are launched. This does not, however, exclude liability for damage caused by space objects, which are operated by private entities. Still, international liability for accidents involving commercial operators stays with the so-called “launching states,” as this term is defined by the Liability Convention for the same states that are listed in the Outer Space Treaty as internationally liable. Insurance is well known to settle liability issues, including those arising from commercial launches, however, it is not always mandatory. Frequently, space-related accidents involve non-functional space objects and their component parts, which are usually referred to as space debris. This may include spent rocket stages and defunct satellites, as well as fragments from their disintegration. Since the non-functional state of a space object does not change its legal status, the relevant provisions of international space law that are applicable to space objects continue to apply to what is called “space debris.” This means, in particular, that launching states are internationally liable for damage caused by space debris, including cases where such debris was generated by private spacecraft. The probability of liability becomes even higher when it comes to active space debris removal. Such space activities, which are extensively developed by private companies, are inextricably linked to potential damage. Yet, practical problems arise with identification of space debris and, consequently, an efficient implementation of the liability regime.

The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects

1973 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 137-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Foster
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Draft Convention ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
International Liability ◽  
Space Activities

On September 10, 1971, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space adopted and decided to submit to the General Assembly for consideration and final adoption a draft Convention on International Liability for Damage caused by Space Objects. Approval of the Convention was recommended by the First Committee of the General Assembly on November 11, 1971; and on November 29, 1971 it was endorsed by the General Assembly. The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects marks the culmination of a decade of debate and negotiation of the problem of liability for damage arising from outer space activities.

Understanding International Space Law and the Liability Mechanism for Commercial Outer Space Activities—Unravelling the Sources

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-578
Author(s):  
Biswanath Gupta ◽  
Raju KD
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
International Space ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Space Law ◽  
The Status ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
State Liability ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Space Activities

The status and liability of non-governmental entities for commercial use of outer space activities on behalf of space launching states are not very clear under the existing space law regimes. Non-governmental entities are those who carry private space activities such as commercial launching, supplying different equipment or parts to space agencies and manufacturing spacecraft and satellite. The possible litigation relating to the commercial activities are mainly the financial consequence of damage caused and also the technical complications that private entities face in case of supply of defaulted parts to the space agencies. According to Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty 1967 and Articles II and III of Liability Convention 1972, launching country is liable for any activities in outer space. Even in the case of non-governmental activities, the launching state is liable. Therefore, in the event of any commercial activity from any sovereign states, the state is liable for any accidents and consequential damages. This article focusses on specific issues such as liability for commercial outer space activities of nongovernmental entities in the existing international space law regimes. It explores the applicable principle of space law and international law in outer space activities. The work also focusses on the impact on space liability regime as well as on the legal efficiency of the links between private entities and state liability. This exercise is important in the background of the increasing number of private spacecrafts scheduled for launching in the future.

SPACE-CENTRIC CONCEPT TO ANSWER TOMORROW SPACE CHALLENGE: A SMALL STEP FOR FUTURE SPACE LAW

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-202
Author(s):  
Taufik Rachmat Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Concept Space ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Space Programs ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Protection Area ◽  
Space Activities ◽  
Private Sector Involvement

Space activities have shown significant progress since they begin in the late '50s. Under current development, the U.S. with Artemis program and Luxembourg with its space mining program will enhance their outer space involvement. Most of those programs will elevate private sector involvement. Furthermore, the future space program will mainly intersect with the space environment as the primary consideration. It remains high-risk activities that could have catastrophic results if not regulated immediately. However, the current existing space law began obsolete because it was composed more than 50 years ago and too geocentric by putting the earth as the primary protection area. Consequently, existing space law could not govern future space programs properly, including protecting the space environment defense, Etc. Afterward, this paper will introduce the space-centric concept. Space-centric concepts create to answer future space challenges from legal perspectives. This concept emphasizes how future regulation and policy should cover all space objects equally, recalling outer space is vulnerable to such activities by humans, and how the best way to mitigate unforeseeable calamity on outer space.

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.

Israel and the Law of Outer Space

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-466
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Hurwitz
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
The Moon ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Practical Effect ◽  
The Law ◽  
International Liability

With the launching of Israel's first satellite, Offeq–1, on September 19, 1988, Israel's commitments in international space law came into practical effect. Specifically, Israel is bound through ratification to the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies; the 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched Into Outer Space; and the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. Two additional treaties, the 1975 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched Into Outer Space, and the 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, have yet to be signed or ratified by Israel.

Outer space law

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-35
Author(s):  
Boris Krivokapich
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
Narrow Sense ◽  
Legal Rules ◽  
National Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Legal Position ◽  
Space Activities

Given that sudden breakthroughs in conquering the cosmos are expected, some basic questions about the law governing relations in respect to outer space and in it can be expected to be triggered, starting already with the issue how one has to call that law and what is its real content. The first part of the paper deals with the naming of this branch of law and concludes that for the time being the term outer space law is the best and widely accepted. In the second part, the author states that many scientific papers and even official documents, do not define outer space law at all. There are even opinions that the outer space is a phenomenon which cannot be defined at all, suggesting that it is not possible to define a cosmic right either. The author considers that a distinction should be made between national space law of states and international space law (space law in the narrow sense a branch of international law containing legal rules governing relations in respect to the space and in the space, and in particular the regime of that space and celestial bodies it contains, exploration and exploitation of the space, the regime of navigation in the space, the legal position of the astronauts and space objects, international legal liability for damage caused by space activities, etc.). When so is clearly stated, one can also speak of space law in a broad sense, which, in addition to the norms of space law in the narrow sense, would include norms that are part of soft law, agreements and legal customs between states and non-state entities, and even at some point so-called. metalaw (law that may one day govern relations between humanity and creatures of other worlds).

Space Debris Mitigation as an International Law Obligation

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-335
Author(s):  
Lawrence Li
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Responsibility ◽  
International Liability ◽  
International Instruments ◽  
Space Activities ◽  
Proper Interpretation ◽  
Debris Mitigation

Human space activities have grown rapidly in recent decades, but the international legal framework, comprising of the five space treaties, has largely remained unchanged since the 1980s. One of the consequences is that international responsibility and liability for space debris, which is a major hazard to space activities, have also remained uncertain for years. Nonetheless, States have responded to these problems by implementing national voluntary measures. More importantly, two major non-binding international instruments have been laid down by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, respectively. This article argues that, in light of recent States practice established under these international instruments, and a proper interpretation of the space treaties, it has been recognised by the international community that States are obliged to mitigate the generation of space debris, a failure of which will lead to international liability.

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