Introduction to International Space Law

1
Introduction to International Space Law

• Week One (1)
• www.mansat.org

2
What is Space Law?

• Body of Law applicable to and governing space
  related activities UNOOSA.
• International Treaties
• Five (5) Major UN Treaties
• Regulations of International Bodies
  Organizations
• ITU, WTO, EU
• Intergovernmental Agreements
• ISS Memorandums of Understanding (M.O.U.s).
• National Laws

3
What is Law?

• Anywhere There Are Humans and Property There Is
  Law.
• Law is Dynamic.
• Law Regulates Behavior Allows Behavior.
• Nation States Use Law to Regulate Activities of
  Citizens, Self, and Bodies Corporate.
• Nations use International Law via Treaty and
  Agreement to Regulate the Behavior of other
  Nations
• War Crimes, World Trade Organization, etc.

4
Why Space Law?

• Origins in Cold War.
• Fear of Conflict Arising From Activities in Outer
  Space.
• Fear of Being Left BehindLiterally.
• UN Selected as Body for Generation of Space Law.
• To Prevent Conflict.
• To Redress Grievances.
• To Allow Activity.

5
The UN Space Law

• United Nations is Responsible for the Generation
  of Space Law.
• United Nations Committee On the Peaceful Uses of
  Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).
• UNCOPUOS Secretariat United Nations of Outer
  Space Affairs, Vienna.
• Five (5) Major UN Treaties Govern All Space Law,
  both National International.
• Also Declarations Principles.

6
UN Space Law II

• Five (5) Major Space Treaties
• Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of
  States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space,
  including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
• Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return
  of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched
  into Outer Space.
• Convention on International Liability for Damage
  Caused by Space Objects.
• Convention on Registration of Objects Launched
  into Outer Space.
• Agreement Governing the Activities of States on
  the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

7
UN Space Law III

• Declarations Principles
• Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the
  Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses
  of Outer Space. 
• The Principles Governing the Use by States of
  Artificial Earth Satellites for International
  Direct Television Broadcasting.
• The Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the
  Earth from Outer Space. 
• The Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear
  Power Sources in Outer Space. 
• The Declaration on International Cooperation in
  the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the
  Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking
  into Particular Account the Needs of Developing
  Countries.

8
UN Treaties National Law

• UN Treaties Dictate Terms of All National Space
  Laws and Regulations

9
Past Present

• All UN Treaties Written During Cold War
• All Written to Regulate National Activities in
  Outer Space.
• Not Written With Commercial Needs requirements
  In Mind.
• Conflict Tension in Space Law.
• Need For Revision?