Export Control of Space Items in Europe: Legal and Political Constrains
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.1.09
- Author
Dr. Antonella Bini, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The United States satellite and space components industry is struggling with the necessity to adjust the national export control system to focus on 21st Century security threats and commercial trends. The U.S. export control regime does not appear to be doing what it was intended to do: protect U.S. national security interests in the context of defence trade activity. Indeed, the U.S. industry has been severely impacted, mainly by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The result is that the US market share in the commercial satellite-manufacturing sector has declined and this downturn has given an edge to European manufacturers. This perspective gives a unique opportunity to Europe to increase the relevance of European firms in the global marketplace of commercial space on condition of a coherent export control policy supported by an effective legal framework. Unfortunately, the current situation in Europe is one of disharmony due to the composite institutional organisation of the European Union. The EU system provides little more than political and economic expedience and compromise cloaked as a positive aspect of further overall EU integration. This paper identifies the effectiveness of the existing system and ponders the chance to mediate the existing political lacks through employing organisational theory and legal instruments that are almost absent. Notably, the need to establish a Common/Harmonised EU Export-Control Regime, and to create legally binding instruments for the free movements of items between the EU Member States as well as more specific regulations dedicated to space items, will be highlighted.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E6.1.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.