SPACE LAW
Evolution of Space Law – first period
The development of space law has so far taken place in three periods, with
some overlap between them:
First period : 1962 – late 1990s:
→ The adoption by the UN General Assembly in 1962 of the Declaration of
Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses
of Outer Space leading to the Outer Space treaty (1967).
The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts (1968); the Liability Convention
(1972); the Registration Convention (1976) and the Moon Agreement (1984).
The UN General Assembly has adopted in addition a number of declarations
and principles governing space-related activities.
The last one adopted in 1996.
Second period late 1990s - 2018: National Space Laws.
The space treaties put obligations on the States parties to the treaties: e.g.,
They shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space;
The activities of nongovernmental entities in outer space, including the Moon
and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing
supervision by the appropriate State;
Each State that launches or procures the launching of an object into outer
space is internationally liable for damage to another State or to its natural or
juridical persons by such object
With the expansion of space activities and in particular the increasing
involvement of the private sector, States started to adopt national legislation
to fulfil their treaty obligations and demonstrate their commitment to
responsible space behaviour on the international stage.
1
,→ National space laws provide a legal framework for regulating and
overseeing space activities conducted by individuals, organizations, and
governments within their jurisdiction.
→ These laws establish licensing requirements, operational standards, and
safety regulations to ensure the responsible use of outer space and the
protection of national interests
Third period 2010 – Present: Bottom-up
→ Until around 2010, space law was mainly a top-down approach with the
exception in the field of telecommunications.
→ In recent years, the commercial space sector has experienced
unprecedented growth, driven by advances in satellite technology and the
emergence of new small and medium-sized space industries.
→ This growth has led to a "bottom-up" or "industry-driven" development of
space law.
→ This trend reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the space sector,
where industry developments drive changes in the legal framework to
accommodate new technologies, business models and market demands.
Chapter 1 Concise history of space activities
History- from fiction to reality
Jules Verne’s (1828 – 1905) books “From the Earth to the Moon”
→ published in 1865 and “Around the Moon” published in 1869 inspired many
youngsters to pursue space research
“Around the Moon
2
,"Humanity will not remain on the Earth forever, but in the pursuit of light and
space will at first timidly penetrate beyond the limits of the atmosphere, and
then will conquer all the space around the Sun."
→ Tsiolkovskiy (1857 – 1935) -in a letter dated August 12,1911.
Plane v. rocket
• Germany develops during world war two first the Vergeltungswaffe 1 (V1)
and thereafter the Vergeltungswaffe 2 (V2)
3
, • The V1 is not a rocket contrary to the V2.
Reality
→ The Soviet Union launches on 4 October 1957 the first artificial satellite
known as « Sputnik ».
It is composed of a spherical construction with a diameter of 58 cm provided
with four antennas.
Exponential growth of space activities (1957-1972)
1957 10 04 → USSR launch of Sputnik 1 first artificial satellite
1957 11 03 → USSR Sputnik 2 with a dog (Laika) on board.
1958 01 31 → first US satellite, explorer 1
1958 12 18 → US first experimental broadcasting by satellite SCORE
1959 09 12 → USSR spacecraft Luna 2 was launched to the Moon and
impacted on it on 13 September 1959.
1960 04 01 → US experimental meteorological satellite
1960 08 12 → US ECHO-I satellite - first telephone conversation.
1961 04 12 → USSR launch of Vostok 1 aboard Yuri Gagarin, first man orbiting
the Earth.
1962 07 10 → US Telstar I - first intercontinental television transmission
1958 a Christmas message, the U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Transmitted by SCORE
• "This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of
scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite traveling in
outer space. My message is a simple one: Through this unique means I convey
to you and all mankind, America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill
toward men everywhere.
4
Evolution of Space Law – first period
The development of space law has so far taken place in three periods, with
some overlap between them:
First period : 1962 – late 1990s:
→ The adoption by the UN General Assembly in 1962 of the Declaration of
Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses
of Outer Space leading to the Outer Space treaty (1967).
The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts (1968); the Liability Convention
(1972); the Registration Convention (1976) and the Moon Agreement (1984).
The UN General Assembly has adopted in addition a number of declarations
and principles governing space-related activities.
The last one adopted in 1996.
Second period late 1990s - 2018: National Space Laws.
The space treaties put obligations on the States parties to the treaties: e.g.,
They shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space;
The activities of nongovernmental entities in outer space, including the Moon
and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing
supervision by the appropriate State;
Each State that launches or procures the launching of an object into outer
space is internationally liable for damage to another State or to its natural or
juridical persons by such object
With the expansion of space activities and in particular the increasing
involvement of the private sector, States started to adopt national legislation
to fulfil their treaty obligations and demonstrate their commitment to
responsible space behaviour on the international stage.
1
,→ National space laws provide a legal framework for regulating and
overseeing space activities conducted by individuals, organizations, and
governments within their jurisdiction.
→ These laws establish licensing requirements, operational standards, and
safety regulations to ensure the responsible use of outer space and the
protection of national interests
Third period 2010 – Present: Bottom-up
→ Until around 2010, space law was mainly a top-down approach with the
exception in the field of telecommunications.
→ In recent years, the commercial space sector has experienced
unprecedented growth, driven by advances in satellite technology and the
emergence of new small and medium-sized space industries.
→ This growth has led to a "bottom-up" or "industry-driven" development of
space law.
→ This trend reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the space sector,
where industry developments drive changes in the legal framework to
accommodate new technologies, business models and market demands.
Chapter 1 Concise history of space activities
History- from fiction to reality
Jules Verne’s (1828 – 1905) books “From the Earth to the Moon”
→ published in 1865 and “Around the Moon” published in 1869 inspired many
youngsters to pursue space research
“Around the Moon
2
,"Humanity will not remain on the Earth forever, but in the pursuit of light and
space will at first timidly penetrate beyond the limits of the atmosphere, and
then will conquer all the space around the Sun."
→ Tsiolkovskiy (1857 – 1935) -in a letter dated August 12,1911.
Plane v. rocket
• Germany develops during world war two first the Vergeltungswaffe 1 (V1)
and thereafter the Vergeltungswaffe 2 (V2)
3
, • The V1 is not a rocket contrary to the V2.
Reality
→ The Soviet Union launches on 4 October 1957 the first artificial satellite
known as « Sputnik ».
It is composed of a spherical construction with a diameter of 58 cm provided
with four antennas.
Exponential growth of space activities (1957-1972)
1957 10 04 → USSR launch of Sputnik 1 first artificial satellite
1957 11 03 → USSR Sputnik 2 with a dog (Laika) on board.
1958 01 31 → first US satellite, explorer 1
1958 12 18 → US first experimental broadcasting by satellite SCORE
1959 09 12 → USSR spacecraft Luna 2 was launched to the Moon and
impacted on it on 13 September 1959.
1960 04 01 → US experimental meteorological satellite
1960 08 12 → US ECHO-I satellite - first telephone conversation.
1961 04 12 → USSR launch of Vostok 1 aboard Yuri Gagarin, first man orbiting
the Earth.
1962 07 10 → US Telstar I - first intercontinental television transmission
1958 a Christmas message, the U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Transmitted by SCORE
• "This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of
scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite traveling in
outer space. My message is a simple one: Through this unique means I convey
to you and all mankind, America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill
toward men everywhere.
4
