The Legal Dimensions of Cyber-conflict with regard to Large Satellite Infrastructures and Constellations
- Paper number
IAC-16,E7,4,11,x35526
- Coauthor
Prof. Larry Martinez, International Institute of Space Law (IISL), United States
- Year
2016
- Abstract
This paper examines challenges to established legal precedents for mitigating cyber-interference and cyber-conflict issues posed by the deployment of large satellite infrastructures and constellations in low-earth orbits. Based on the 1960s Outer Space Treaty, the existing satellite legal framework was developed to address the needs of a system consisting primarily of individual governmental and civilian satellites in geostationary, polar, or sun-synchronous orbits, which supported data networks buffered from terrestrial telecommunications disruptions by means of highly secure earth stations. Starting in the 1990s, launches of large constellations of navigation and low-earth orbit communications satellites presaged a shift to new forms of satellite-based space communication networks directly integrated into terrestrial Internet networks servicing billions of smartphones and computers. This integration makes satellite-based Internet networks and all who rely on them increasing vulnerable to direct disruption by individual private hackers and/or massive state-sponsored cyber-warfare assaults. This paper argues for the development of a new cyber-conflict code of conduct providing “rules of the road” both on earth and in space. The EU Code of Conduct is evaluated as a possible template for this new legal regime encompassing cyber-conflict in space.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-16,E7,4,11,x35526.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.