ARTICLE 1 OUTER SPACE TREATY ET AL: A HICCUP OR MOTIVATION FOR COMMERCIALISATION OF SPACE BASED SOLAR POWER ENERGY FOR EARTH?
- Paper number
IAC-08.E8.4.10
- Author
Ms. Angeline Asangire Oprong, University of Bremen, Germany
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Since its inception, the purpose of space activity has moved from exploration to application, from purely military use to dual use. The privatisation and commercialisation of space given the current space law framework remains extremely complex and different from that of research and government activities. Commercial applications like telecommunications, remote sensing and space tourism have received a lot of attention. Space based Solar Power Energy for Earth (SSPEE) has been in consideration since the late 1960's, during the oil crisis of the 1970's and today seriously fuelled by the growing environmental concerns and the climate change. Countries have been developing technology to enable the development of future SSPEE systems. Japan has already unveiled a roadmap for the commercialisation of SSPEE in 2030. All the aforesaid activities do not exist in abstract. Article I Outer Space Treaty states that, “the exploration and use of outer space... shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.” This provision, due to its general character, is open to a plethora of interpretations if invoked by countries to enforce their rights and privileges. This paper examines the intricacies in existing international legal framework appertaining to the utilisation and commercialisation of SSPEE by virtue of implications of interpretation of Article 1 of the Outer Space Treaty et al. Further, it analyses whether the principle of ‘use of space for the benefit of mankind’ envisaged in the general space to which man’s exploration is buttressed is a driver for its pursuit or whether it posses as impediment to the commercialisation of the benefits derived form SSPEE. In its conclusion the paper will explore the possible way ahead or other recommendations identified.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)