International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities: Analysis from an Institutional Perspective

Paper number

IAC-15,E7,IP,24,x29220

Author

Mrs. Anastasia Voronina, University of Nebraska, College of Law, United States

Year

2015

Abstract

The International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities developed by the European Union (“Code”) is one of the most recent developments in international space law. It is intended to summarize ‘rules of the road’ for outer space activities in the form of a ‘soft law’ instrument.
While a lot has been said about the nature of the proposed document, about the suggested guidelines’ and principles’ effectiveness, less attention was paid to the mechanism of cooperation advanced by the Code. Although the Code provides a comparatively perfunctory outline of the proposed mechanism of cooperation, the fact that a ‘soft law’ instrument provides one is a notable development in international space cooperation. 
The present paper is aimed at reviewing the mechanism of cooperation endorsed by the Code of Conduct, examining proposed ways and means of international cooperation, and analyzing how that affects its operation. Conclusions are offered about the nature of the envisioned mechanism of cooperation, its distinctive features are identified, and determination is made about the overall effectiveness of the established mechanism of cooperation. It is suggested that the Code of Conduct established a ‘hybrid’ mechanism of cooperation combining features of an international conference and international organization. Finally, it is argued that the ‘hybrid’ nature of mechanisms of international cooperation is specific to international space cooperation due to the growing exploitation of outer space and the need to use its resources in an efficient and sustainable way.

Abstract document

IAC-15,E7,IP,24,x29220.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,E7,IP,24,x29220.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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