Project 2001: recommendations of the working group on national space legislation

摘要

Art. VI Outer Space Treaty (OST '67) requires State Parties to authorise and continuously supervise space activities of non-governmental entities. Because of Art. VII OST '67 and the Liability Convention (LC '72) State Parties bear financial risks even if damages are not directly caused by them. Both evoke the fundamental necessity to establish national space legislation if non-governmental entities conduct space activities. Such national space legislation - considering not only these two articles but the whole body of international space law -should consist of a core of five "building blocks": (1) the authorisation and (2) the supervision of space activities, (3) the registration of space objects, (4) indemnification regulation and (5) additional regulation. On the basis of these "building blocks", further discussion on this matter may take place i.a. within the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS or within the ESA International Relations Committee, but it is also suggested that States harmonise existing space laws and space laws currently being prepared according to these "building blocks".