DOCSLIB.ORG

International Protection of Astronauts and Space Objects

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
International Protection of Astronauts and Space Objects DePaul Law Review Volume 20 Issue 3 1971 Article 2 International Protection of Astronauts and Space Objects Stephen Gorove Follow this and additional works at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/law-review Recommended Citation Stephen Gorove, International Protection of Astronauts and Space Objects , 20 DePaul L. Rev. 597 (1971) Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/law-review/vol20/iss3/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Law at Via Sapientiae. It has been accepted for inclusion in DePaul Law Review by an authorized editor of Via Sapientiae. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF ASTRONAUTS AND SPACE OBJECTS* STEPHEN GOROVE* * HE SIGNIFICANCE OF providing international protection and as- sistance to astronauts and space objects has been brought into sharp, practical focus during the recent abortive mission of Apollo 13. In the light of what might have happened in case the space- craft and its crew had landed in an unintended area, or had de- scended under more distressing circumstances, the provisions of the Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (hereinafter referred to as Agreement) assume particular importance.' * PROESSoR GOROVE has drawn on previously published material in THE INTER- NATiONAL LAWYER, to which he expresses his appreciation. ** PROFESSOR GOROVE received his J.D. at the University of Budapest, and J.S.D. and Ph.D. at Yale University. He is the author of LAw AND POLITICS OF DANuBE: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY and move than seventy articles. He is also the Director of the United States Membership of the International Institute of Space Law and Chairman of the Graduate Program of the School of Law and Professor of Law, University of Mississippi. 1. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has been interested for a number of years in negotiating an international agreement on assistance to and return of astronauts and space vehicles. Substantial progress in the negotiations was made in the 1964 session of the Committee's Legal Sub- committee when preliminary agreement was reached on several provisions. In the summer of 1967, the Legal Subcommittee took the matter under further intensive consideration in Geneva. Draft proposals were put forward by the United States (U.N. Doc. A/AC. 105/C.2/L.9), the Soviet Union (U.N. Doc. A/AC. 105/ C.2/L.18) and jointly by Australia and Canada (U.N. Doc. A/AC. 105/C.2/L.20). Final agreement was not reached, however, until after some informal discussions and further special meetings of the Subcommittee during the subsequent session of the United Nations in New York. On December 16, 1967, the full Committee de- cided to submit the agreement to the General Assembly which unanimously ap- proved it in its Resolution 2345 (XXII) on December 19, 1967. The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (hereinafter referred to as Agreement) was signed on April 22, 1968 and entered into force for the United States on December 3, 1968 ([1968] 19 U.S.T. 7570, T.I.A.S. No. 6599). For further historical details and background data, see especially Reports of the Legal Subcommittee on the Work of its Third and Sixth Sessions to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, U.N. Docs. A/AC. 105/21 (1964); A/AC. 105/37 (1967); see also Interna- 597 DE PAUL LAW REVIEW [Vol. XX:597 The Agreement has been hailed as a momentous accomplishment in the development of space law, second only to the Outer Space Treaty (hereinafter referred to as the Treaty).2 It sets forth for the first time in concrete form some of the broad principles embodied in the general language of the Treaty.' The purpose of our inquiry tional Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, U.N. Doc. A/6804 (1967) and U.N. Doc. A/6804/Add. 1 (1967). Consult also Staff of Senate Comm. on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., Report on Agreement on the Rescue of Astro- nauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space: Analysis and Background Data (Comm. Print 1968); S. Ex. Rep. No. 15, 90th Cong., 2d Sess. (1968). 2. The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Explora- tion and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies was signed on January 27, 1967, and entered into force October 10, 1967. ([1967] 18 U.S.T. 2410, T.I.A.S. No. 6347, reprinted in 61 AM. J. INV'L L. 644). For discus- sions of the Treaty, see Adams, The Outer Space Treaty: An Interpretation in Light of the No-Sovereignty Provision, 9 HARV. INT'L L.J. 140 (1968); Dembling & Arons, The Evolution of the Outer Space Treaty, 33 J. AIR. L. & COM. 419 (1967); Gorove, The Outer Space Treaty, 23 BULL. ATOMIC SCIENTISTs 44 (1967); Gorove, Interpret- ing Article 11 of the Outer Space Treaty, 37 FORDHAM L. REV. 349 (1969); Vlasic, The Space Treaty: A Preliminary Evaluation, 55 CALIF. L. REV. 507 (1967). 3. Two articles of the Treaty deal with broad principles relating astronauts and space objects. Under the first one (Art. V), for instance, astronauts are to be regarded as "envoys of mankind," an undefined phrase carrying a strong connota- tion reminiscent of diplomatic envoys, their protective privileges and immunities. Under the second one (Art. VIII), spacecraft personnel and space objects while in outer space or on a celestial body are to remain under the jurisdiction and control of the state on whose registry the object launched into outer space is carried. [1967] 18 U.S.T. 2410, T.I.A.S. No. 6347. The two articles read as follows: "States Parties to the Treaty shall regard astronauts as envoys of mankind in outer space and shall render to them all possible assistance in the event of accident, distress, or emergency landing on the territory of another State Party or on the high seas. When astronauts make such a landing, they shall be safely and promptly returned to the State of registry of their space vehicle. "In carrying on activities in outer space and on celestial bodies, the astronauts of one State Party shall render all possible assistance to the astronauts of other States Parties. "States Parties to the Treaty shall immediately inform the other States Parties to the Treaty or the Secretary-General of the United Nations of any phenomena they discover in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, which could constitute a danger to the life or health of astronauts." (art. V) "A State Party to the Treaty on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over any personnel thereof, while in outer space or on a celestial body. Ownership of ob- jects launched into outer space, including objects landed or constructed on a celestial body, and of their component parts, is not affected by their presence in outer space or on a celestial body or by their return to the Earth. Such objects or component parts found beyond the limits of the State Party to the Treaty on whose 1971] INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF ASTRONAUTS 599 is to analyze and interpret the Agreement's provisions insofar as they relate to the international protection of astronauts and space objects.4 The particular scope and allocation of authority and the relevant competences are spelled out in Articles 1-4 of the Agree- ment which deal with astronauts5 and in Article 5 of the Agreement which covers space objects.6 registry they are carried shall be returned to that State Party, which shall, upon request, furnish identifying data prior to their return." (art. VIII) 4. See, e.g., Dembling & Arons, The Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astro- nauts and Space Objects, 9 WM. & MARY L. REV. 630 (1968); Gorove, Legal Problems of the Rescue and Return of Astronauts, 3 INT'L LAWYER 898 (1969); Gorove, The Recovery and Return of Objects Launched Into Outer Space: A Legal Analysis and Interpretation, 4 INT'L LAWYER 980 (1970); Hall, Rescue and Return of Astronauts on Earth and in Outer Space," 63 AM. J. INT'L L. 197 (1969); see also the papers included in the PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11TH COLLOQUIUM ON THE LAW OF OUTER SPACE 85-142 (1969). 5. Articles 1-4 of the Agreement, [1968] 19 U.S.T. 7570, T.I.A.S. No. 6599, read as follows: "Each Contracting Party which receives information or discovers that the personnel of a spacecraft have suffered accident or are experiencing condi- tions of distress or have made an emergency or unintended landing in territory un- der its jurisdiction or on the high seas or in any other place not under the juris- diction of any State shall immediately: (a) Notify the launching authority or, if it cannot identify and immediately communicate with the launching authority, imme- diately make a public announcement by all appropriate means of communication at its disposal; (b) Notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who should disseminate the information without delay by all appropriate means of communi- cation at his disposal." (art. 1) "If, owing to accident, distress, emergency or unintended landing, the personnel of a spacecraft land in territory under the jurisdiction of a Contracting Party, it shall immediately take all possible steps to rescue them and render them all necessary assistance.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Americans and the Moon Treaty Nancy L
    Journal of Air Law and Commerce Volume 46 | Issue 3 Article 6 1981 Americans and the Moon Treaty Nancy L. Griffin Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.smu.edu/jalc Recommended Citation Nancy L. Griffin, Americans and the Moon Treaty, 46 J. Air L. & Com. 729 (1981) https://scholar.smu.edu/jalc/vol46/iss3/6 This Comment is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at SMU Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Air Law and Commerce by an authorized administrator of SMU Scholar. For more information, please visit http://digitalrepository.smu.edu. Comments AMERICANS AND THE MOON TREATY NANCY L. GRIFFIN O N JULY 20, 1969, the United States successfully completed a technological space maneuver to place man on the moon for the first time.' Man's physical presence on the lunar surface represented such significant progress that the existing international law governing activities in outer space was no longer adequate to deal with the consequent legal questions.' The United States had taken a major step toward making the future occupation and ex- ploitation of the moon a reality. This event created a particular 1 TIME, July 25, 1969, at 10. SIn 1969, the international law governing states' activities in outer space consisted of United Nations General Assembly resolutions and two treaties: the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, 18 U.S.T. 2410, T.I.A.S. No. 6347, 610 U.N.T.S. 206, and the Rescue and Return Agreement of 1969, 19 U.S.T. 7570, T.IA.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Emergence of Space Law
    THE EMERGENCE OF SPACE LAW Steve Doyle* I. INTRODUCTION Space law exists today as a widely regarded, separate field of jurisprudence; however, it has many overlapping features involving other fields, including international law, contract law, tort law, and administrative law, among others.1 Development of space law concepts began early in the twentieth century and blossomed during the second half of the century into its present state. It is not yet widely taught in law schools, but space law is gradually being accorded more space in law school curricula. Substantial notional law and concepts of space law emerged prior to the first orbiting of a man made satellite named Sputnik in 1957. During the next decade (1958-1967), an intense effort was made to bring law into compliance with the realities of expanding spaceflight activities. During the 1960s, numerous national and international regulatory laws emerged to deal with satellite launches and space radio uses and to ensure greater international awareness and governmental presence in the oversight of ongoing activities in space. Just as gradually developed bodies of maritime law emerged to regulate the operation of global shipping, aeronautical law emerged to regulate the expansion of global civil aviation, and telecommunication law emerged to regulate the global uses of radio and wire communication systems, a new body of law is emerging to regulate the activities of nations in astronautics. We know that new body of law as Space Law. * Stephen E. Doyle is Honorary Director, International Institute of Space Law, Paris. Mr. Doyle worked fifteen years in federal civil service (1966-1981), fifteen years in the aerospace industry (1981-1996), and fifteen years in the power production industry (1996-2012).
    [Show full text]
  • View Conducted by Its Standing Review Board (SRB)
    Science Committee Report Dr. Wes Huntress, Chair 1 Science Committee Members Wes Huntress, Chair Byron Tapley, (Vice Chair) University of Texas-Austin, Chair of Earth Science Alan Boss, Carnegie Institution, Chair of Astrophysics Ron Greeley, Arizona State University, Chair of Planetary Science Gene Levy, Rice University , Chair of Planetary Protection Roy Torbert, University of New Hampshire, Chair of Heliophysics Jack Burns, University of Colorado Noel Hinners, Independent Consultant *Judith Lean, Naval Research Laboratory Michael Turner, University of Chicago Charlie Kennel, Chair of Space Studies Board (ex officio member) * = resigned July 16, 2010 2 Agenda • Science Results • Programmatic Status • Findings & Recommendations 3 Unusual Thermosphere Collapse • Deep drop in Thermospheric (50 – 400 km) density • Deeper than expected from solar cycle & CO2 4 Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) unlocking the secrets of Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs) Form 50 miles above surface in polar summer vs ~ 6 miles for “norm79al” clouds. NLCs getting brighter; occurring more often. Why? Linked to global change? AIM NLC Image June 27, 2009 - AIM measured the relationship between cloud properties and temperature - Quantified for the first time, the dramatic response to small changes, 10 deg C, in temperature - T sensitivity critical for study of global change effects on mesosphere Response to Gulf Oil Spill UAVSAR 23 June 2010 MODIS 31 May 2010 ASTER 24 May 2010 Visible Visible/IR false color Satellite instruments: continually monitoring the extent of
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring How the Outer Space Treaty Will Impact American Commerce and Settlement in Space
    S. HRG. 115–219 REOPENING THE AMERICAN FRONTIER: EXPLORING HOW THE OUTER SPACE TREATY WILL IMPACT AMERICAN COMMERCE AND SETTLEMENT IN SPACE HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE, SCIENCE, AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION MAY 23, 2017 Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ( Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 29–998 PDF WASHINGTON : 2018 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate Nov 24 2008 10:53 May 15, 2018 Jkt 075679 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 S:\GPO\DOCS\29998.TXT JACKIE SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida, Ranking ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts DEAN HELLER, Nevada CORY BOOKER, New Jersey JAMES INHOFE, Oklahoma TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah GARY PETERS, Michigan RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois CORY GARDNER, Colorado
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2017
    UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS 2017 Annual Report UNITED NATIONS UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS Annual Report 2017 Foreword . iii. About us . iv. Highlights of 2017 . 10. Focus: UNISPACE+50 preparations . 16. Partnership agreements. 22 Awareness-raising and capacity-building activities . 26. Administrative information . 36. UNITED NATIONS Vienna, 2018 ST/SPACE/72 Cover image: Northeast Syrtis Major Region of Mars © United Nations, March 2018. All rights reserved. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Photographs ©: ESA, NASA, Sierra Nevada Corporation, UN Photo, UNIS, UNOOSA. This publication has not been formally edited. Publishing production: English, Publishing and Library Section, United Nations Office at Vienna. Foreword throughout the year for UNISPACE+50, including flagship events for the UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities. UNISPACE+50 will bring together the broader space community, including representatives from industry and the private sector. UNOOSA sees considerable value in partnerships and contributions from industry and the private sector in promoting the benefits of space for effectively addressing challenges before humanity. The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 2017 acknowledged the growth of the space sector and endorsed increased engagement by the Office with the private sector and industry. The Office The year 2017 was an opportunity for the United is now working to implement procedures for such Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to partnerships.
    [Show full text]
  • The Outer Space Legal Regime and UN Register of Space Objects
    The Outer Space Legal Regime and UN Register of Space Objects ITU-R Symposium and Workshop on the Small Satellite Regulation and Communication Systems Prague, Czech Republic, 2-4 March 2015 Niklas Hedman United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs 1 Legal Regime of Outer Space and Registration Outer Space Treaty Article VI “International responsibility” Article VII “International liability” Article VIII “Jurisdiction and control” Liability Convention Article II “Absolute liability” Article III “Fault liability” Article IV “Joint and several liability” Registration Convention Preamble Article I “Definitions” (LIAB Art. I) Articles II, III, IV (fundamental registration requirements) Rescue Agreement, NPS Principles, GA resolution 59/115, 62/101 and 68/74, COPUOS debris mitigation guidelines, Safety Framework on NPS 2 Status of the Registration Convention As of December 2014, there are 62 States Parties and 4 Signatory States: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi (Signature only), Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran (S), Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua (S), Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore (S), Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay. Three international intergovernmental organizations have declared their acceptance of rights and obligations: European Space Agency (ESA); European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT); European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (EUTELSAT-IGO).
    [Show full text]
  • The Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects
    William & Mary Law Review Volume 9 (1967-1968) Issue 3 Article 4 March 1968 The Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects Paul G. Dembling Daniel M. Arons Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr Part of the Air and Space Law Commons, and the International Law Commons Repository Citation Paul G. Dembling and Daniel M. Arons, The Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects, 9 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 630 (1968), https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol9/ iss3/4 Copyright c 1968 by the authors. This article is brought to you by the William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr THE TREATY ON RESCUE AND RETURN OF ASTRONAUTS AND SPACE OBJECTS PAUL G. DEMBLING* AND DANIEL M. ARoNs* INTRODUCTION On December 19, 1967, the General Assembly of the United Nations by a vote of 115-0 approved an "Agreement on the Rescue of Astro- nauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched in Outer Space"; requested the Depositary Governments "to open the Agreement for signature and ratification at the earliest possible date"; and expressed its hope "for the widest possible adherence to this Agreement."' This approval by the General Assembly marked the climax of almost a decade of efforts to secure widespread international agreement on procedures assuring the humanitarian and scientific ob- jectives of the rescue of astronauts in distress, their return, and the return of space objects. It is the purpose of this paper to trace the development of the Assistance and Return Agreement, and to exam- ine the text of its various provisions in order to provide some under- standing of the rights and obligations created thereby.
    [Show full text]
  • THE EUROPEAN UNION and SPACE: OPPORTUNITIES and RISKS Jana Robinson and Michael Romancov
    EU NON-PROLIFERATION CONSORTIUM The European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks NON-PROLIFERATION PAPERS No. 37 January 2014 THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SPACE: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS jana robinson and michael romancov I. INTRODUCTION SUMMARY Space has become an essential domain for Access to space is becoming increasingly important for strengthening the capacity of the European Union both public (including military and civilian) and private (EU) to advance domestic prosperity and gain users, including for the European Union (EU) and its international influence. Space policy and space- member states. The different purposes for which space is being exploited make it a dynamic and rapidly growing related cooperation have developed into an essential domain. As the number of terrestrial activities that depend component of foreign and security policy-related on the space environment increases, so too do the potential planning and decision-making. Europe has joined vulnerabilities to disruption. Regrettably, the system of a number of spacefaring states in the competition governance needed to reduce risks associated with an to derive greater civilian, societal, commercial and increasingly complex, congested and competitive space military benefits from its presence in space. environment is evolving more slowly. The EU now has a defined role in space-related The EU has made a significant investment of human, endeavours. As Article 189 of the Treaty on the technical and financial capital to develop the relevant Functioning of the European Union (as amended capacities to make use of the opportunities provided by by the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon) gave the EU, for space. This investment is likely to continue to grow.
    [Show full text]
  • Critical Issues Related to Registration of Space Objects and Transparency of Space Activities
    Acta Astronautica 143 (2018) 406–420 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Acta Astronautica journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/actaastro Critical issues related to registration of space objects and transparency of space activities Ram S. Jakhu a,*, Bhupendra Jasani b, Jonathan C. McDowell c a McGill-IASL, Montreal, Canada b King's College, London, UK c Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, USA1 ABSTRACT The main purpose of the 1975 Registration Convention is to achieve transparency in space activities and this objective is motivated by the belief that a mandatory registration system would assist in the identification of space objects launched into outer space. This would also consequently contribute to the application and development of international law governing the exploration and use of outer space. States Parties to the Convention furnish the required information to the United Nations' Register of Space Objects. However, the furnished information is often so general that it may not be as helpful in creating transparency as had been hoped by the drafters of the Convention. While registration of civil satellites has been furnished with some general details, till today, none of the Parties have described the objects as having military functions despite the fact that a large number of such objects do perform military functions as well. In some cases, the best they have done is to indicate that the space objects are for their defense establishments. Moreover, the number of registrations of space objects is declining. This paper addresses the challenges posed by the non-registration of space objects. Particularly, the paper provides some data about the registration and non-registration of satellites and the States that have and have not complied with their legal obligations.
    [Show full text]
  • Arctic Security and Outer Space
    SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF Byers, M. (2020). Arctic Security and Outer Space. Scandinavian MILITARY STUDIES Journal of Military Studies, 3(1), pp. 183–196. DOI: https://doi. org/10.31374/sjms.56 RESEARCH ARTICLE Arctic Security and Outer Space Michael Byers Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia, CA. This article was delivered in Nuuk, Greenland, as the keynote speech at the Signature Conference of the Royal Danish Defence College, on 2 October 2019. It builds on an earlier piece: ‘Cold, dark, and dangerous: international cooperation in the arctic and space,’ Polar Record 55(1), 32–47, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247419000160 [email protected] Journalists often portray the Arctic and Space as rife with economic competition, contested territorial claims, and impending conflicts. In actuality, there is extensive and ongoing coopera- tion between Russia and Western states in both regions. A number of factors common to the Arctic and to Space contribute to this ongoing cooperation, including ‘complex interdependence’ and widely agreed rules of international law. This article focuses on three further common factors: the ‘cold, dark, and dangerous’ character of the regions; the absence of substantial ‘weaponisation’; and the relative ease with which information about military activities may be gathered in the Arctic and Space, for instance through Space-based technologies. The latter factor enables Arctic and Space-faring states to avoid classic ‘security dilemmas’. Keywords: Arctic; Space; Security; International Cooperation; International Law; Russia; NATO 1. Introduction The Arctic is closely connected to Outer Space (‘Space’). The Arctic climate is a consequence of Earth’s orbital mechanics, most notably the tilt of the planet, which leads to the absence of sunlight in winter and to 24-hour sunlight in summer.
    [Show full text]
  • Russian Translation of the Cologne Commentary on Space Law
    UN/Austria Symposium “Access to Space: Holistic Capacity-Building for the 21st Century” Russian translation of the Cologne Commentary on Space Law Olga Volynskaya LLM, PhD in space law Russian Foreign Trade Academy / ROSCOSMOS Graz, 6 September 2017 • Photo: ROSCOSMOS Photo: UNOOSA “Rockets themselves are not a purpose; the real purpose is to make the people’s lives better” Konstantin Tsiolkovskiy Challenges to the translation: international law theory Examples: • “international legislation” = “ав” (no international legislator) • “duty of care”, “squatters’ rights”, “piercing the corporate veil” – no direct analogies in Russian law Challenges to the translation: official UN texts Examples: 1. One Russian term for two different English ones: • “concerned” and “appropriate” = “ввщ” (one Russian term for two different English ones) • “responsibility” and “liability” = “ввь” (one Russian term for two different English ones) 2. Two different Russian terms for one English term: • “all possible assistance” = “ва щь” and “ва щь” 3. Politically sensitive interpretation: • “non-governmental entities” = “ а” Challenges to the translation: misinterpretation Examples: “outer space, as the province of mankind” Article I of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty: “The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies […] shall be the province of all mankind” “…the UN requires States Parties to the treaty to disseminate [information about national space activities] immediately and effectively” Article IX of the OST: “…the Secretary-General of the United Nations should be prepared to disseminate it [information] immediately and effectively” Challenges to the translation: lack of the Russian prospective Examples: incorrect classification of cosmonauts astronauts v. cosmonauts (etymology) = astra v. kosmos inaccurate titles and citations from Russian documents (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • International Space Law”
    ST/SPACE/2 Office for Outer Space Affairs United Nations Office at Vienna Proceedings of the Workshop on Space Law in the Twenty-first Century Organized by the International Institute of Space Law with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs UNITED NATIONS New York, 2000 This document has not been formally edited. Introduction The Workshop on Space Law in the 21st Century, coordinated by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), was held between 20 and 23 July 1999 in Vienna, Austria, as part o f the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III). More than 120 participants attended the Workshop, all contributing to an active discussion on the future of Space Law. The IISL Workshop comprised eight sessions, covering current concerns in the field of space law. Each session began with the presentation of a discussion paper by an invited speaker, followed by invited papers commenting on the discussion paper, as well as informal discussion and comments. At the end of each session, the Coordinator/Rapporteur of the session presented a summary report on significant issues raised in the session and, following a general discussion, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the session were consolidated in a single document. At the conclusion of the eight substantive sessions, the “Workshop Executive Committee”, consisting of the chairperson of each session, the Workshop Coordinator, and the President of the International Institute of Space Law, who was the overall chairperson of the Workshop, met to discuss the reports of the sessions. The session reports were integrated into the Workshop’s Final Report to the UNISPACE III Conference.
    [Show full text]