Space Traffic Management: A Vacuum in Need of Law
- Paper number
IAC-08.E3.2.3
- Author
Dr. Paul Dempsey, McGill University, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Michael Mineiro, McGill University, Canada
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The development of sub-orbital flight, in particular the inauguration of Virgin-Galactic's regularly scheduled tourist flights, will require a further development of the international legal regime applicable to commercial space transportation. Ultimately, we need an integrated system of laws and regulations to govern sub-orbital and orbital international transportation. An appropriate stop-gap measure may be the adoption of an ICAO annex applicable to sub-orbital and orbital flights which "cross" air-space and inhibit characteristics of an aircraft. At the least, basic safety and navigational standards should be included in a proposed ICAO annex. Three issues/questions tangentially relate to the larger issue of commercial transportation: 1) Is it time for a new "Chicago Convention"; a legal regime which grants immunity or limited liability for commercial space transportation activity during this phase of initial development in the industry? 2) Is the lack of national appropriation or sovereignty in outer space an inhibitor to commercial space growth and possibly a paradigm for the "tragedy of the commons" in outer space? 3) What steps should be taken to unify and standardize, effectively removing conflicts and inconsistencies, in the current regime applicable to commercial space transport?
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E3.2.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.