Introduction to International Space Law

1
Introduction to International Space Law

• Week Twelve (12)
• Egregious Uses of Outer Space (?) Space Law
• www.mansat.org

2
Egregious Uses of Outer Space?

• Egregious Uses of Outer Space?
• Websters Blatant or Outstandingly Bad
• Term Coined and Used by U.S. State Department
• State Department (Diplomatic Channels) has
  received a number of complaints on the use of
  space in regards to the following
• Space Burial
• Space Solar Power
• Space Tourism
• Planetary Defence
• Who Decides what is Egregious?

3
Space Burial Egregious?

• Launching into Space of Ashes.
• Launch as secondary payload.
• Celestis Inc.
• Also now Team Encounter.
• Complaint that is Egregious as causes Space
  Debris
• Not Covered in Outer Space Treaties.
• Is it Egregious or just a knee jerk reaction to
  something new?

4
Space Burial II

• Process
• Ashes Taken in special container
• Loaded into canister and attached as secondary
  payload to Second Stage Engine.
• Not Separate Detaching Payload Not A Flying
  Coffin.

5
Space Burial III

• Booster usually set to return to Earth in less
  than one year.
• Existing Booster on Existing Flight Flying
  Piggyback).
• Creating new Space Debris?
• Egregious?

6
Space Solar Power (SSP)

• Large Satellites Placed or Constructed in orbit
  to collect Solar Power and Beam Power back to
  Earth.
• Alternative to Fossil Fuels, etc.
• Some Nations see as Weapons in Space
• Beaming of power.
• Others see a danger to power / energy monopolies.
• Complaints to State Dept. that Space Solar Power
  is an Egregious use of Outer Space.

7
SSP Concerns

• Beaming of Power via Wireless Transmissions
• Will inadvertently cook or Irradiate populace
  India
• How will they target energy to power stations?
• Environmental Safety Concerns?
• Could this be a weapon?
• What orbits will they use?
• LEO or GEO?

8
SSP Concerns II

• Is SSP Covered by Outer Space Treaties?
• Would Solar Power from Space be
• Appropriation of a Natural Resource?
• Use of GEO? Ownership of GEO?
• Geostationary Orbit ITU for Wireless beaming
  of power
• Old Developed versus Developing World Issues
• Energy Monopoly for Developed World?
• An Egregious use of Outer Space?

9
Space Tourism?

• Is Space Tourism an Egregious use of Outer Space?
• Complaints to US State Department concerning
  Space Tourism.
• Another knee jerk reaction?

10
Space Tourism Legal Issues

• Astronaut versus Tourist
• Lack of Definition in Outer Space Treaties.
• Liability Concerns
• Which Nation Liable?
• Who would be Launch State?
• Who flies? Terrorist Nations?
• Safety Issues
• Cost Issue?

11
Space Tourism Legal Issues II

• How to get to Space?
• Soyuz? Russian Liability Established.
• Shuttle? US Liability Established.
• Set Legal Precedent?
• X-Prize contestants?

12
Space Tourism Legal Issues III

• Example of X-Prize
• 22 Teams from Six Nations
• 14 US, 3 UK, 2 Canadian, 1 Russian, 1 Romanian
• Where will they Launch From?
• Liability
• Range Safety Insurance
• Commercial Insurance for Passengers?
• Winning Vehicle to US or Russia for Launch?
• Facilities and record established
• Liability License Issues

13
Space Tourism Legal Issues IV

• Egregious Use of Space a Question of Cost?
• Insurance Markets ready for required Capacity?
• US Government ready for Cost Implications?
• Cost of Shuttle Launch approximately 300 million
• Seven Astronauts approx 42 million for average
  10 days
• Space Tourist approx 20 million for average of
  10 days

14
Planetary Defense

• Planetary Defense as an Egregious use of Outer
  Space?
• Again, State Department issues.
• Planetary Defense Defense against NEOs and
  Comets, etc.
• Earth Impactors.

15
Planetary Defense Legal Issues

• How to Defend Against NEOs and Comets, etc?
• Weapons Platforms stationed ready in Outer Space.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction in Outer Space?
• What Weapons?
• Where?
• Who Controls the Trigger?
• Pointed Up or Down?

16
Colonization

• Colonization of new worlds seen as Egregious
• Some Nations actually protested US Landings on
  Moon.
• Appropriation of Territory.
• Use of Resources (even in-situ propellant).
• Pollution of Environment.
• Egregious?