Professional Documents
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Submitted by:
Harsh Yadav
The start of the space race between the two cold war rivals United states and the Soviet Union
in the 20th Century added a new dimension to both law as well as science. The frontier of space
research and discoveries intertwined the connection between law and science. However, just
like science being an important aspect of human evolution so is the regulation of such activities
through the hands of law, as one can use and abuse these aspects. One key notion of space
exploration and how far we have come since we first landed on the moon brings forth the
question of commercialization of space through private means such as space tourism as it is a
big step towards fulfilment of human dreams to be independent from our home planet. There
are several aspects which need to be brought in light in terms of legal issues that seek solution
in relation to regulation of commercial activities in space. The legal issues pertain to the
regulation of aerospace vehicles used by private or public entities for commercial purposes
and also require a legal framework for entrepreneurs and private organization in order to
promote and develop such a sector of commercial activity. It needs to be analyzed in order to
see the effect of existing laws as well as provide a base for other interested entities to enter
such a domain. There is another legal aspect which needs to be taken a closer look at and that
is of liability aspect commercial activities in space. The current study analyzes the legal aspect
of commercial space activities and the basis of liability issues involved in conducting these
activities such as space tourism.
Key Words:
Commercialization of Space, Space Tourism, Aerospace Vehicles, Liability under Space
Commercial Activities
1. INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………..4
3. SPACE TOURISM……………………………………………………….10
4. ISSUE OF LIABILITY…………………………………………………...13
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………17
The Human Kinds first ever flight which was initiated by the Wright Brothers as the general
population believes is often debateable. To most it is Shivkar Bapuji Talpade who paved the
path for Human flight through his first unmanned airplane in 1895 much before the Wright
Brothers. The Context here does not focus on ‘who’ initiated the first flight but it rather focuses
on the aspect that humans have always dreamt of reaching the stars. Later, in the advancing
years of technology we have reached a spectacle where we made a return journey from the
cosmos such as the successful “launch” of SpaceShipOne from its mother plane White Knight
in October 2004, followed by its second return journey in seven days to an altitude of over 100
kilometres above sea level, demonstrated that the technology for short-term human suborbital
flight has arrived.1
These steps seized the imagination of the mass population and gave many people an objective
in life and that was of space exploration, which gave rise to a new breed of industry and
companies of similar ventures. Richard Branson and Elon musk are a few examples, through
the establishment of virgin galactic and SpaceX. They wanted to carry passengers into space
for the ticket cost of almost US $ 250,000 a seat. It was not just a dream, people in reality
signed up for this scheme.
There are entrepreneurs who are even more ambitious, which involves their dream for orbital
travel, space hotels and other various forms of so called ‘galactic Tourism’. In all of this they
only see it as a new form of business model and way to be the first in this new industrial sector.
This without a doubt has added a new prospect to commercialization of space. It has all changed
from imagination to possibility through the advancement of technology on this modern era.
The new breed of Aerospace vehicles makes these ventures possible. However, these come
with new challenges and one can only look at it in the eyes of new emerging legal issues in air
and Space law. It gives rise to the issue of Liability.
The Current study will look at aspects of Space Tourism and also take into consideration the
legal issues of liability involved with such commercial activities in outer space.
1Steven Freeland, ‘Up, Up and … Back: The Emergence of Space Tourism and Its Impact on the International
Law of Outer Space’ [2005] CJIL 6
Fabio Tronchetti, “Ensuring Security in outer space by legal means: A Feasible goal?”,
AJASL, Volume 23, 2011, pp. 24- 44
This article talks about the safety and security of space objects and takes several initiatives
addressing the issue of space security and prevention of weaponization in space. It looks
towards the proposal of new treaties for ensuring security as a mean of transparency and a
confidence building measure for individuals and countries in relation to their space assets.
Steven Freeland and Anja Nakarada Pecujlic, “How do you Like Your Regulation - Hard
or Soft? the Antarctic Treaty and the Outer Space Treaty Compared”, NLSI, Volume 11,
2018, pp. 15-34
This article compares the Antarctic Treaty and the outer Space Treaty on a very revised scale.
It takes a deep look at the cold war between the Americans and the Soviet-union and also shows
the evolution and development of these treaties on a more conclusive scale.
Sethu Nandakumar Menon, “Space Tourism and Aerospace Vehicle: Re-tracing the
Boundary between Air Space and Outer Spaces”, IDEST, Volume 3, 2009, pp. 23-40
This paper first analyses the legal issues relating to the demarcation of air space and outer space
and the most appropriate regulation that is needed for aerospace vehicle. Thereupon, the issue
of aerospace transportation is analysed in relation to air law and space law. Different aspects
of aerospace vehicle transportation is analysed to see the effect of the existing laws.
Steven Freeland, “The Emergence of Space Tourism and Its Impact on the International
Law of Outer Space”, CJIL, Volume 6 No. 1, 2005, pp. 16-38
Dr. S. Bhatt, “Law and Space Research”, ICAO, Volume 2, 1999, pp. 28-63
This article reflects on the theme of law and science by analysing their synthesis, and then
would analyse the implications of space research on law. The major purpose of this article is
to give a general understanding of development of space law and to bring forward the link
between space law and science.
Fabio Leonardi, “The Sky is Not the Limit: A Review of U.S. Space Transportation Law
from a WTO Perspective”, IJIEL, Volume 1, 2011, pp. 4-40
This paper analyzes the compatibility of the Commercial Space Launch Act, as part of the US
regulatory regime applicable to space transportation, with the law of the World Trade
organization through a discussion of the U.S. legislative efforts in the field of space-related
activities and in light of the WTO Members' obligations as to measures affecting trade in
services.
Dr. Sandeepa Bhat B and Dr. P. Ishwara Bhat, “Legal Framework of State Responsibility
and Liability for Private Space Activities”, KLJ, 2005, pp. 132-150
The article focuses on the justifiability of holding the States responsible or liable for the
activities to which they have no direct connection. It also looks into the scope of the modern
notions of State responsibility and liability in the treaties relating to outer space.
Commercial Space tourism has grasped widespread imagination of several individuals and in
this modern era, the current technology has helped us overcome a lot of these challenges which
were first a barrier to space exploration. Commercial space tourism will soon from a fantasy
will become a possibility which raises several issues due to the complexity and limitation of
the legal regime of outer space. Outer space falling under the pretence of res communis,
meaning a common heritage of mankind again raises wider ethical problems of space tourism.
The research paper is based on doctrinal analysis and the data collected is from primary and
secondary sources. Primary sources include legal sources such as regulatory laws. Secondary
sources include journals, books, articles, opinions and blogs.
1.6. HYPOTHESIS
There is a lack of Regulation which is to govern the future and upcoming legal challenges
involving the determination of legal status of space tourists as well as countering the issues of
liability involving space tourism.
2 UNCOPUOS was established by the United Nations General Assembly shortly after the advent of the "space
age" brought on by the successful launch of Sputnik 1
3 Outer space Treaty 1967
4
Rescue Agreement 1968
5 Lability Convention 1972
6 Registration Agreement 1975
7 Moon agreement 1979
8
Tanja L. Masson-Zwaan, ‘The Martin Marietta Case: Or How to Safeguard Commercial Space Activities’
[1993] ASL
9
Chicago Convention 1944
10
Louis de Gouyon Matignon, ‘Space tourism legal aspect’ ( 5th March 2019)
<https://www.spacelegalissues.com/space-law-space-tourism-legal-aspects/> accessed on 9 May 2020
11 Zeldine Niamh O'Brien, ‘Liability for Injury, Loss or Damage to the Space Tourist’ [2004]
12
Outer Space Treaty 1967, art II
13
Northern sea continental Shelf cases (Germany v Denmark; Germany v Netherlands) 1969 ICJ 3, 230
10
11
15
The United States Congress and Senate, ‘Final Frontier Now Open--But Visa Still Required’ (5 February
2002) <SpaceDaily.com> accessed last on 11th may 2020
16
Stephan Hobe, ‘legal aspect of space tourism’ [2007] NLR 6
12
Paul Recer and Broward IUston, ‘More Shuttles Are Likely to Be Lost, Safety Panel Tells NASA’ [2003]
17
SMH
13
18 Steven Freeland, ‘There's a Satellite in my Backyard/-Mir and the Convention on International Liability for
Damage Caused by Space Objects’ [2001] CJIL
19 Liability Convention 1972, Art II
14
20 Ibid 1
21 Rome Convention 1952
22 Liability convention 1972, article VII
15
16
PRIMARY SOURCES
Legislations
Outer space Treaty 1967
Rescue Agreement 1968
Lability Convention 1972
Registration Agreement 1978
Moon agreement 1979
Rome Convention 1952
Chicago convention 1944
Cases
Germany v Denmark (1969) 230 ICJ 3
SECONDARY SOURCES
Journal Articles
Fabio Tronchetti, Ensuring Security in outer space by legal means: A Feasible goal, (AJASL
2011)
Watcharachai Jirajindakul & Lalin Kovudhikulrungsri, The Legal Loopholes in Space law: The
Case of Shin Corporation of Thailand, (IJIEL 2010)
Steven Freeland and Anja Nakarada Pecujlic, How do you Like Your Regulation - Hard or
Soft? the Antarctic Treaty and the Outer Space Treaty Compared, (NLSI 2018)
Sethu Nandakumar Menon, Space Tourism and Aerospace Vehicle: Re-tracing the Boundary
between Air Space and Outer Spaces, (IDEST 2009)
Steven Freeland, The Emergence of Space Tourism and Its Impact on the International Law of
Outer Space, (CJIL 2005)
Dr. S. Bhatt, Law and Space Research, (ICAO 1999)
Fabio Leonardi, The Sky is Not the Limit: A Review of U.S. Space Transportation Law from a
WTO Perspective, (IJIEL 2011)
Dr. Sandeepa Bhat B and Dr. P. Ishwara Bhat, Legal Framework of State Responsibility and
Liability for Private Space Activities, (KLJ 2005)
Steven Freeland, There's a Satellite in my Backyard/-Mir and the Convention on
International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, (CJIL 2001)
17
18