Legal Framework For The Use Of Nuclear Power Sources In A Permanent Lunar Base
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.3.14
- Author
Ms. Cynthia Jimenez Monroy, The Netherlands
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Case study: Long term mission on the Moon. Power supply is required for the following functions: life support, general maintenance of the base, transportation (rovers), communications on the lunar surface, and with the Earth. In addition, the scenario of In-Situ Resources Utilization (ISRU) would need high power requirements for the ISRU processes. Power supply options for the lunar base include solar and nuclear systems. According with the level and reliability requirements of a lunar base the use of nuclear power sources (NPS) is a viable solution. However, the use of NPS is not universally accepted by all States. One way to facilitate consensus among the States is through the legal certainty. The current regulation of activities using NPS for space exploration missions lead us to a number of important key questions to be addressed. What is the current legal framework? Are there clear legal limits? Is there any technical framework for the safe use of space NPS? Who is the authority responsible to verify the safe use of space NPS? The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has set the basis of regulation of activities in question, with the five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space, as well as with the Principles Relevant to the Use of NPS in Outer Space. In addition, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS is developing under a multi-year workplan, a safety framework for space NPS. This technical framework can be developed into a legal document in the future. Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is dealing with nuclear safety issues of NPS. There is a document prepared by IAEA entitled “Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Re-entry of a Nuclear Powered Satellite”. This can serve as an example of international efforts on this issue. In this connection, the Planetary Protection Policy, developed by experts from the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), should also be noted. The present article analyzes the current regulation for space NPS to identify the weak areas. The analysis will focus on the criteria for the safe use of a nuclear reactor on the Moon and the States’ obligation of information sharing. The conclusions of this study will be presented as recommendations according with international law, space law, environmental law and nuclear security documents. One of the main expected conclusions is that a binding document on the use of space NPS would be useful.
- Abstract document