Lunar Exploration - The Road Ahead
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.1.06
- Author
Dr. Rajeev Lochan, Indian Space Research Organisation, India
- Coauthor
Mr. V. Gopala Krishnan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The renewed global interests in lunar exploration in the recent past open up many new vistas for technological advancements. In this second phase of exploration, the space fairing nations including those in Asia Pacific Region, seek more prominent roles than seen before. The paper begins with a survey of the lunar missions of the past and the very recent past. The ability of these missions to address the important fundamental questions about moon is examined in the context of the international legal regime for outer space including moon and other celestial bodies. It is argued that the present legal regime has enabled everything that a space scientist could ask for. It is inferred that the Moon Treaty is an enabling regime rather than a prohibitive one as is widely perceived. A critical examination of the Moon Treaty suggests that the authors of the treaty nursed lingering doubts about its long term applicability due to rapidly changing technological scenario. A provision is therefore made in the treaty itself for its review with a kind of emphasis not seen in the earlier space treaties. The provisions of the treaty which are considered to be controversial and contentious are re-examined. This paper persuasively argues that these provisions are not as bad as they are perceived to be. The present paper makes a case for an urgent review by all concerned with a view to re-engineer the treaty as envisaged by the authors of the original treaty. Taking cue from the recent trends in the international law, the guiding principles are enunciated for the enhancements of the treaty. The paper suggests that a first step towards this would be to strengthen the regime with wider acceptance in terms of renewed pursuit towards ratifications and accessions. In view of the impending technological onslaught on the moon for commercial exploitations, there is an urgent need to rework the treaty lest the legal regime becomes irrelevant. The paper concludes with a plea - ’Let us Re-Engineer the Moon Treaty - Together, Quickly’.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E6.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.