NATIONAL SPACE LEGISLATION FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES – LESSONS FROM EUROPE

Paper number

IAC-15,E7,5,8,x30736

Author

Mr. KUMAR ABHIJEET, Institute of Air and Space Law, University of Cologne, Germany

Year

2015

Abstract

Today outer space has a vast potential of solving the social problems on Earth and is upcoming lucrative business for private participants. With the advancement in technology many developing nations are entering into space activities. To reap the commercial benefits of outer space many states have promoted or desiring to allow private players participation. The Outer Space Treaty demands the respective state to continuously authorize and supervise their national activities, failure of which may make them liable. Though private participation is desirable but it has to be in accordance with rule of law and international obligations. Since the motivation to go into space is commercial aspects, it is the interest of developing nations to lay down their respective national space legislation.
In Europe the countries are  active in space  through European Space Agency. Perhaps they have realized liabilities may be imputed to them for space activities and accordingly the respective nations have adopted their national space legislation. This paper shall explore the basis for national space legislation and determine the minimum legislative agenda.  It shall study the national space legislation of space faring nations in Europe and will draw lessons from them which can be suited for developing countries. The reason for choosing Europe is that national space legislation have been recently drafted suited as per the need of current time. The researcher has a hypothesis that European space legislation are progressive in nature which can significantly inspire developing nations. Countries like India and China are in the process of drafting their respective national space legislation and European legislation can be a path shower.

Abstract document

IAC-15,E7,5,8,x30736.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,E7,5,8,x30736.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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