Outerspace law

1. Space Law?
 Body of law applicable to and governing space related activities
meant to regulate relations between states to determine their rights
and duties resulting from all activities directed towards outer space
 Space law is an area of the law that encompasses national and
international law governing activities in outer space.
Space law addresses following matters:
 Preservation of the space and earth environment
 Liability for damages caused by space objects
 The settlement of disputes
 The sharing of information about potential dangers in outer space
 The use of space related technology and international cooperation.

2. Principles of International Space Law
 International law applies to outer space
 Space is free for use by all countries
 Space will be used for peaceful purposes
 Space objects must be registered with the UN
 The freedom of exploration and use of outer space by all
states without discrimination

3. Five Major International Treaties :
• The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other
Celestial Bodies, 1967.
• The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of
Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, 1968.
• The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by
Space Objects, 1972.
• The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space,
1975.
• The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and
Other Celestial Bodies, 1979.

4. Limited Test Ban Treaty 1963
 Prohibits nuclear tests or explosions in space, underwater, and atmosphere
 US, UK, and USSR original parties
 125 countries have signed since 1963
 Notably, France and PRC still have not signed
 Early development Beginning in 1957, nations began discussing systems to ensure
the peaceful use of outer space. Bilateral discussions between the United States and
USSR in 1958 resulted in the presentation of issues to the UN for debate.
 In 1959, the UN created the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(COPUOS).
Historical Background

5. Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts 1968
 Elaborates principles stated in Article V of Outer Space Treaty of 1967
 Astronauts are peaceful envoys of mankind and must be returned safely and
promptly
 Recover spacecraft if possible, launching state must pay for recovery
Outer Space Treaty 1967
 Broad, general principles, non-binding
 Established freedom of access to space
 Nations can’t “claim” space or planets
 Establishes basic liability for damage caused by manmade space objects
 Space is for peaceful purposes only
 No space-based weapons of mass destruction
 Over 100 countries have signed to include all space capable nations

6. Liability Convention 1972
 Created effective rules and procedures governing liability of space objects
(Outer Space Treaty, Articles VI and VII)
 Convention provides that a launching State shall be absolutely liable to
pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on the surface of
the Earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space.
 Claims through diplomatic channels
 Cosmos 954/Skylab good examples
Liability Convention, Article VII:
“The provisions of this Convention shall not apply to damage caused by a
space object of a launching State to:
(a) nationals of that launching State;
(b) foreign nationals during such time as they are participating in the operation
of that space object from the time of its launching or at any stage thereafter
until its descent, or during such time as they are in the immediate vicinity of a
planned launching or recovery area as the result of an invitation by that
launching State.”

7. Registration Convention 1975
 Requires central registry of space objects with UN to further strengthen
liability convention of 1972
 Each state shall provide, as soon as possible: Launching state,
designator number, date and location of launch, basic orbital parameters
and deorbit information
Moon Treaty 1979
 Declares Moon and its natural resources to be common heritage of all mankind,
and all countries benefit from exploration, exploitation of moon
 Wealth redistribution scheme
 Only 4 countries have signed, Only two space powers have signed treaty (India
and France),other 18 countries are party to it.

8.  Why Space law is important?
 The development and/or strengthening of international
agreements, laws, regulations, and codes related to space
activities is essential to a sustainable space future.
Concerns:
States have considered development of anti-satellite weapons, and Anti Satellite tests
have been conducted by the Soviet Union, the United States, and China. Because
all space systems, whether civil or military, are subject to the threat of damage from
orbital debris, States need to consider what international laws, agreements, or codes
may be needed to protect all space systems.

9. Thank you
Any Questions ???