Kai-Uwe Schrogl

Marietta Benkö

Denise Digrell

Esther Jolley

The contributions in this book reflect on the growing diversification of space law and is divided in two parts. The first part provides a look at the current developments in international space law and regulation and the second part investigates future perspectives of this process. It is only recently that international space law entered its third phase of development. While the first phase, between the 1960s and 1970s, was characterized by the elaboration of international conventions in the framework of the United Nations, the second phase saw the adoption of special legal regimes in the form of UN General Assembly Resolutions which were dealing with issues like direct broadcasting by satellites (DBS), remote sensing (RS) and the use of nuclear power sources (NPS) in outer space. The third and current phase received its impetus from the growing commercialization of space activities and their emerging privatization. Therefore the main characteristics of this period relate to the efforts of adapting international space law to these recent changes and of finding ways and means to reconcile State interests with commercial perspectives. This book forms a welcome addition to any collection in the field of space law and is a refreshing contribution to the discussion in the field.

Current Problems and Perspectives for Future Regulation

Space Law

Ray A. Williamson

Wolfgang Rathgeber

As space applications become central to modern interaction, more and more entities are becoming involved in space activities. Consequently, strategies to establish the coordinated, ethically justifiable and sustainable conduct of space activities have to be found. Such an endeavour requires addressing current questions regarding the use of space, dealing with fair rules in orbit and discussing the way towards achieving truly global engagement on space security issues. The book outlines the current situation and identifies key challenges from the policy perspective. Taking this one step further, it also formulates principles and recommendations for global action. Nineteen eminent personalities from the space sector have united for this project, which is based on a conference organised at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in November 2008 in Vienna.

An International Perspective

The Fair and Responsible Use of Space

Inspired by the vision of the future of humankind in outer space, an international team of technical experts, lawyers and political scientists examined topical issues of law and policy under the leadership of the editors - not only with respect to international space flight and space exploration, but also in view of the safe and sustainable use of space technology for the benefit of our planet. After all, our original habitat should not be sacrificed on our way to Moon and Mars! In this regard, Outer Space - Future for Humankind examines fundamental questions like the problem of space debris, the safe use of nuclear power sources in outer space, the protection of the ozone layer during space launches, the issue of light pollution and the protection of the marine environment during the guided re-entry of space craft into the High Seas. In addition to these problems of technical nature, questions relating to the peaceful, equitable and responsible use of outer space are explored also with regard to issues as space traffic management which must be solved by scientists, lawyers and politicians on an international scale, and supported by an again increasingly interested general public.

Issues of Law and Policy

Outer Space - Future for Humankind

Peter L. Hays

Jana Robinson

Denis Moura

Christina Giannopapa

Space Security involves the use of space (in particular communication, navigation, earth observation, and electronic intelligence satellites) for military and security purposes on earth and also the maintenance of space (in particular the earth orbits) as safe and secure areas for conducting peaceful activities. The two aspects can be summarized as "space for security on earth" and “the safeguarding of space for peaceful endeavors.” The Handbook will provide a sophisticated, cutting-edge resource on the space security policy portfolio and the associated assets, assisting fellow members of the global space community and other interested policy-making and academic audiences in keeping abreast of the current and future directions of this vital dimension of international space policy. The debate on coordinated space security measures, including relevant 'Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures,' remains at a relatively early stage of development. The book offers a comprehensive description of the various components of space security and how these challenges are being addressed today. It will also provide a number of recommendations concerning how best to advance this space policy area, given the often competing objectives of the world's major space-faring nations. The critical role to be played by the United States and Europe as an intermediary and "middle diplomat" in promoting sustainable norms of behavior for space will likewise be highlighted. In providing a global and coherent analytical approach to space security today, the Handbook focuses on four areas that together define the entire space security area: policies, technologies, applications, and programs. This structure will assure the overall view of the subject from its political to its technical aspects. Internationally recognized experts in each of the above fields contribute, with their analytical synthesis assured by the section editors.

Policies, Applications and Programs

Handbook of Space Security

Blandina Baranes

Christophe Venet

The Yearbook on Space Policy aims to be the reference publication analysing space policy developments. Each year it presents issues and trends in space policy and the space sector as a whole. Its scope is global and its perspective is European. The Yearbook also links space policy with other policy areas. It highlights specific events and issues, and provides useful insights, data and information on space activities. The Yearbook on Space Policy is edited by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) based in Vienna, Austria. It combines in-house research and contributions of members of the European Space Policy Research and Academic Network (ESPRAN), coordinated by ESPI. The Yearbook is designed for government decision-makers and agencies, industry professionals, as well as the service sectors, researchers and scientists and the interested public.

Setting New Trends

Yearbook on Space Policy 2008/2009

Stephan Hobe

Bernhard Schmidt-Tedd

The 'Cologne Commentary on Space Law' is a three-volume annotation on the written norms of space law as enunciated through the Treaties of the United Nations and its General Assembly Resolutions. Volume I focuses on the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, popularly known as the ?Outer Space Treaty?. A broad international authorship of twenty experts addresses the historical overview and provides a provision by-provision interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty. This Volume also includes insights into the subsequent State practice, present-day applicability and future perspectives of the Treaty. The other four UN Treaties, the 1968 Rescue Agreement, the 1972 Liability Convention, the 1975 Registration Convention and the 1979 Moon Agreement, are addressed in Volume II, which was published in 2013. Volume III (published in 2015) delves into the eight most relevant United Nations General Assembly Resolutions/Principles on space activities. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty, Volume I of the 'Cologne Commentary on Space Law' has been translated into Russian.

Outer Space Treaty

Cologne Commentary on Space Law

Ulrike Landfester

Nina-Louisa Remuss

Jean-Claude Worms

Following the first comprehensive transdisciplinary dialogue on humans in outer space which resulted in "Humans in Outer Space - Interdisciplinary Odysseys", the European Science Foundation (ESF), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) have continued and deepened this transdisciplinary dialogue, which can now be found in Humans in Outer Space - Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Going further than regarding humans as better-than-robot tools for exploration, it investigates the human quest for odysseys beyond Earth's atmosphere and reflects on arising issues related to Europe's role among the States conducting human exploration. It provides perspectives related to governance, management of space exploration, space settlements, the role of astronauts in the future as well as related to the encounter of extraterrestrial life.

Humans in Outer Space - Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Charlotte Mathieu

Nicolas Peter

At the time of ?nalising this second volume of the ?Yearbook on Space Policy? which covers the period mid-2007 to mid-2008, Europe is as visible and strong in the area of space activities as never before. Its space probes are present on the Moon, around Mars, and on Saturn?s Moon Titan, and are chasing asteroids and comets; Ariane V is the most successful commercial launch vehicle; and more and more European space applications satellites are in operation. Finally, with the successful launch of the Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) – the most prominent highlight of this period which is also depicted on the cover of this Yearbook – and the ?rst Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Europe has become a decisive player in human space?ight. This is accompanied by new policy initiatives on the ministerial level which have been bringing the European Space Agency and the European Union steadily closer. Europe?s outstanding development and positioning in the space ?eld is based not only on Europe?s successful engineering and scienti?c capabilities and capacities, but also on the forceful political determination of all European actors to maintain and even further their engagement in the use of outer space. And it is this political determination which provides the focus for this ?Yearbook on Space Policy?. The Yearbook describes and analyses the contexts and contents of space policy. Its primary ?eld of investigation is Europe, but it also covers the whole range of global space activities and their in?uence on European endeavours.

From Policies to Programmes

Yearbook on Space Policy 2007/2008

The Yearbook on Space Policy aims to be the reference publication analyzing space policy developments. Each year it presents issues and trends in space policy and the space sector as a whole. Its scope is global and its perspective is European.

New Impetus for Europe

Yearbook on Space Policy 2006/2007

Kai-Uwe Schrogl

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