The new European Union space policy in order to maintain Europe’s position among space leaders

This paper analyzes the current EU space strategy and confronts it with existing global challenges in the space sector. The ultimate aim of this research is to recommend a well-adjusted space policy for the European Commission to ensure effective and sustainable exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all EU member-states. In order to draft the most efficient space policy, the uniqueness of Europe’s space sector is studied. This paper argues that the EU space policy has to focus on guaranteeing European autonomy in access and use of outer space. The author extensively analyzes the challenges and opportunities related to dynamic development of private space sector’s activities. Emphasis is made on the significance of symbiotic cooperation between the public institutions and private companies regarding mutual benefits. The paper concludes that it is the right time for the European Union to build a bold and prospective space policy.

Problems of assessment of social and economic impacts from space technologies development (European experience)

This papers analyses problems related to monitoring and evaluating social and economic impacts arising from the development of space economy, especially space technologies. Using the best practices of the European Space Agency, various approaches to creating evaluation systems are considered. Special attention is paid to the Copernicus Program, mainly to the ways of identifying, measuring, and assessing the benefits for the economy and society resulting from its implementation. This research systematizes the main types of benefits that can be monitored. The author shows that interdisciplinary approaches are essential for solving theoretical and practical problems related to obtaining reliable data for decision makers in space technologies investments. Moreover, the formation of analytical skills in identifying social impacts is necessary for experts who realize the assessment procedures.

The sustainable use of the outer space: complications and legal challenges to the peaceful uses and benefit of humanity

All over the world, application of space technologies is considered as vital tools for ensuring development in the social, economic and environmental areas. The major spacefaring nations grow their economies, science, technology and security using space. Predominantly, events for economic growth through space exploration are capturing the attention in the international arena. The steady increase in space activities indicates that space law and policies have become significant for a large number of countries. However, the expanding circle of spacefaring nations, commercialization by the public, private entities and privation of political willingness of influential countries also denote the new concern to the peaceful use of space, maintaining space safety, security and sustainability. The existing legal protection towards the peaceful and sustainable uses of space is not well-organized and competent. Particularly, the issues of commercialization of space not been fully agreed upon. The goal of this paper is to examine the shortcomings of present regimes and legal challenges to the sustainable use of space, identifying that there is an urgent necessity for effective and more comprehensive regime not just at the international level, but also at the national level.

A method for estimating the thermal regime of solar panels when performing angular turns of the Earth observation satellite

The results of modeling the thermal operation of solar panels (PSB) of the Earth observation satellite (EOS) when moving in a circular orbit are presented. Modeling of the thermal regime is carried out for two groups of photovoltaic converters (FEP). FEPs are conventionally divided into groups, depending on the strength of the influence of different heat fluxes characteristic of the movement of the satellite in a circular orbit. Analytical expressions for the heat balance equation of the PSBs and the results of numerical calculations at the end of the active life (SAC) are given. In this work, methods of deduction, induction, analysis, modeling, formalization, experiment, as well as statistical method, system and structural-functional method were used. The presented model for calculating the temperature of the solar panel of the Earth observation satellite is a set of mathematical expressions that allow calculating temperature of any FEP within a particular solar panel and make adjustments to the plan of exploitation.

Impact of needs of space economy development on the legal regulation (a case study of the Luxembourg initiative SpaceResources.lu)

This article presents the results obtained within the framework of the research program for novelties of modern space law that arise in connection with the needs of the space economy development. Based on the analysis of the effects of the Luxembourg initiative SpaceResources.lu (February 2016 to December 2019), the author investigates possible consequences for the system of international space law. There is a growing global interest in replicating the experience of Luxembourg for creating "legal offshore" to stimulate new types of space activities. The facts demonstrate that implementation of the initiative SpaceResources.lu, supported by the tools of "soft power," "soft law", investments, and other technologies, helps expand the "window of discourse" in matters of space resources private use. This process can cause a sudden change in the rules of the competitive game in the global space market. It is necessary to monitor this kind of "disruptive" political and legal innovations, since rapid changes in the global space economy and international law directly affect the interests of the Russian Federation.