verification mechanism in international space law

Paper number

IAC-08.E8.2.12

Author

Ms. Yuri Takaya-Umehara, Japan

Year

2008

Abstract

Article IV of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty has been referred to as a core provision for ensuring peaceful uses of outer space; by imposing legal restrictions on the placement of nuclear weapons or any kinds of weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth, as well as on military uses of the Moon and other celestial bodies. With advancements in space technologies which are of the dual-use nature, from reconnaissance for intelligence-gathering to integration of ground-/space-based segments for information-centric war, Article IV needs to function with other provisions related to verification mechanism for the compliance of space treaties, in particular, the 1975 Registration Convention. 

Proposals for building satellite-based monitoring systems under international cooperation had been made in the past, in particular by Canada and France; however, the issue which needed to be first solved was not in technical but political aspect due to increasing strategic value of space activities. In the present, military-orientated endeavours by advanced states are dedicated to defining “defensive” uses of outer space and to broaden the scope of “self-defense” for ensuring national/regional security.

In this paper, considering those legal implications which allow States to pursue military uses of outer space, with or without using the force, the role and function of verification mechanism under international law would be clarified and designed to monitor military operations in outer space effectively and transparently, in accordance with the goal of the Charter of the United Nations.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E8.2.12.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E8.2.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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