A STUDY ON OUTER SPACE REGULATORY LAW AND THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
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Abstract
While the title of this article might reminisce one of the memorable phrase from the famous 20th Century comic - Asterix, the gravitas of the same with respect to international policy in the modern world can’t be ignored. Space, as a subject of study, has been at the epicentre of scholarly attention for many centuries but never has it been used in such capacity as it is today.
What can space be used for or what is it being used for currently? The answer to this seemingly simple question has a complex manifold answer. As per the Outer Space Treaty (1967)1, space is to be used for purposes beneficial to all countries and it shall be open to all for purposes of exploration. This means uses such as the installation of satellite technology, scientific research and potentially space tourism and resource extraction are permitted by the treaty and even encouraged. However, the treaty explicitly outlaws the weaponisation of space with respect to the Earth’s orbit, the Moon and other celestial bodies, and the appropriation of territory on celestial bodies and claiming national sovereignty on the same. Yet, if a nation launches an object into space, it retains legal jurisdiction on the same and is liable for any damages caused by it.
It is in this context of legal ambiguity and uncertainty this study is set. It aims to explore the key treaties and conventions that currently govern international space law, raise pertinent issues and loopholes that currently prevail and discuss the role of the international community in the coming years.
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