A PROJECT REPORT ON

LAW OF OUTER SPACE AND INDIA

___________________________________________________________________________

1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Aims and Objectives:
The aim of the project is to preset a !etai"e! st#!$ coset as !efece i fami"$ "a%& thro#'h
'eera" pricip"es( stat#tes (!ecisios( stat#tes( ame!mets( s#''estios a! !ifferet %riti's
a! artic"es)
Scope and Limitations:
Tho#'h this is a immese project a! pa'es ca *e %ritte o+er the topic *#t *eca#se of certai
restrictios a! "imitatios I %as ot a*"e to !ea" %ith the topic i 'reat !etai")
Sources of Data:
The fo""o%i' seco!ar$ so#rces of !ata ha+e *ee #se! i the project,
-) Artic"es
.) /oo0s
1) We*sites
Method of Writing:
The metho! of %riti' fo""o%e! i the co#rse of this research paper is primari"$ aa"$tica")
The researchers ha+e #se! !octria" metho! i their research( that is( e2tesi+e #se of "iterar$
so#rces a! materia"s) The researchers mai"$ #se! seco!ar$ so#rces to pro+i!e s#*stace to
the research aa"$sis) The researchers ha+e a"so p#t !o% immese effort i or!er to #!ersta!
the terms a! cocepts re"ate! to the s#*ject %hich eriche! the st#!$ to a 'reat e2tet)
I some case the researchers sha"" *e *o#! to e2tract materia"s !irect"$ from the "iterar$ %or0 of
certai a#thors %hich the researchers ite! to a!e3#ate"$ cite a! otif$ i !#e co#rse of time)
2
The researchers a"so ite! to co!#ct the st#!$ o a more micro "e+e" i or!er to ma0e the st#!$
more o*jecti+e a! precise i re"atio to 4THE LAW O O!TE" S#A$E A%D &%D&A'(
Mode of $itation: The researcher has fo""o%e! a #iform mo!e of citatio thro#'ho#t the
co#rse of this research paper)
3
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION555555555555555555555)67
LAW OF OUTER SPACE5555555)))555555555)))))68
DEFINITION 9 DELI:INATION55555555))))55555))6;
<EOSTATIONAR= OR/IT ALLOCATION555)555555)))))-6
T>E RE<I:E OF OUTER SPACE55555555555555)--
OUTER SPACE TREAT=(-;?@555555)555555555)-A
INDIABS :ISSION TO T>E :OON5)))55555555))555-7
CONSENSUS555555555))5555555555555-8
CONCLUSION555555555)5555555555555-;
/I/LIO<RAP>=555555555555555555555)).-
4
&%T"OD!$T&O%
O#ter space ma$ *e !efie! as that area of the #i+erse %here the atmosphere of the earth e!s)
I other %or!s( %here aeria" so+erei't$ of the state e!s( o#ter space *e'is) It ic"#!es a""
space a*o+e the "o%est peri'ee achie+e! *$ a$ sate""ite p#t ito or*it) Ce"estia" *o!ies a! the
moo a"so form parts of space)
So far as the 3#estio of air space is cocere! it has *ee ma!e c"ear ear"ier that the state
cocere! e2ercise comp"ete cotro" o+er it) The other states ca 'et some ri'hts o+er it o"$
thro#'h some a'reemet of treaties) There is o c#stomar$ r#"e of the iteratioa" "a% i re'ar!
to 'i+i' iocet passa'e thro#'h the territoria" air space) As apt"$ poite! o#t *$ E!%ar!
Co""is( 4States ha+e comp"ete "e'a" cotro" o+er the air space( o+er their territor$( other states
ha+e o"$ ri'hts i it as are ac3#ire! of treat$) There is o c#stomar$ ri'ht of iocet passa'e
thro#'h territoria" airspace)&
-

At oe time it %as *e"ie+e! that the States e2ercise! so+erei't$ o+er its o#ter space to the
#"imite! e2tet) The rapi! pro'ress of sciece a! techo"o'$ has ma!e these +ie%s
meai'"ess) :a$ efforts ha+e *ee ma!e to coc"#!e iteratioa" a'reemet i re'ar! to the
o#ter space) The first phase of the space !e+e"opmets starte! o -
st
Octo*er -;A@( %he the
So+iet Uio "a#che! its first sp#ti0) Sice the efforts ha+e *ee ma!e to achie+e
iteratioa" co,operatio i this fie"!) The ear"$ perspecti+es %ere pro+i!e! *$ j#rists a!
ite""ect#a"s) S#*se3#et"$ the Uite! Natios thro#'h +ario#s reso"#tios cr$sta""iCe! these
spec#"atios ito "e'a" pricip"es)
.
As ear"$ as o -1 Decem*er( -;A8( the <eera" Assem*"$ of
the Uite! Natios passe! a reso"#tio(
1
%herei it reco'iCe! 4the commo iterest of ma0i!
i o#ter space& a! 4that it is the commo aim that o#ter space sho#"! *e #se! for peacef#"
p#rposes o"$)& The <eera" Assem*"$ esta*"ishe! a ad hoc Committee o the Peacef#" Uses of
O#ter Space to report to it( iter a"ia) 4The at#re of "e'a" pro*"ems %hich ma$ arise i the
carr$i' o#t of pro'rammes to e2p"ore O#ter Space( 4O -. Decem*er( -;A;( aother reso"#tio
etit"e! DIteratioa" Co,operatio i the Peacef#" Uses of O#ter Space&( %as passe! *$ the
<eera" Assem*"$) It esta*"ishe! a Committee o the Peacef#" Uses of O#ter Space) O
Decem*er -;@@( the Assem*"$ !eci!e! to e"ar'e the mem*ership of the Committee o the
1
Edward Collins, International Law in a Changing World, p.173
2
S.Bhatt, Legal Controls of Oter Spa!e, "1#73$, p. 273
3
%esoltion 134& "'III$
(
Peacef#" Uses of O#ter Space from 1@ to ?@) O the same s#*ject( the Assem*"$ passe! other
reso"#tios o .6 Decem*er( -;7-(
?
-? Decem*er( -;7.(
A
a! o -1 Decem*er( -;71)
7
The "ast
reso"#tio i)e( !ate! -1 Decem*er( -;71( etit"e! 4Dec"aratio of Le'a" Pricip"es <o+eri' The
Acti+ities of States i the E2p"oratio a! Use of O#ter Space& %hich %as #aimo#s"$ a!opte!
*$ <eera" Assem*"$ is +er$ importat( partic#"ar"$ *eca#se most of its pricip"es %ere
icorporate! i the Treaty of Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and
Use of outer space including the Moon and other celestial bodies, -;77
@
Ehereafter referre! as
4the O#ter Space Treat$&F) Th#s !#ri' the !eca!e from -;A@ to -;7@ the "e'a" re'ime of O#ter
Space %as i a coti#o#s state of De+e"opmet)
THE LAW O O!TE" S#A$E
4
%esoltion 1721 "')I$
(
%esoltion 1#*2 "')II$
+
%esoltion 1#+2 "')III$
7
See ,.- .o!. /0++21, 17 .e!e12er, 1#++, pp. 1131&
+
The f#!ameta" pricip"e of air "a% re"ates to the comp"ete so+erei't$ of the s#*jacet state)
This is 3#a"ifie! *$ the +ario#s m#"ti"atera" a! *i"atera" co+etios %hich permit air"iers to
cross a! "a! i the territories of the cotracti' states #!er reco'iCe! co!itios a! i the
"i'ht of the accepte! re'#"atios) /#t there is a"so aother 3#a"ificatio a! oe that s#*statia""$
mo!ifies the usque and coelu cocept( %here*$ so+erei't$ e2te!e! o+er the airspace to a
#"imite! hei'ht) This cetres #po the creatio a! !e+e"opmet of the "a% of o#ter space)
E+er sice the USSR "a#che! the first earth sate""ite i -;A@( space e2p"oratio has !e+e"ope! at
a e+er icreasi' rate)
8
Sate""ites o% cotro" comm#icatios a! o*ser+atio et%or0s( %hi"e
"a!i' ha+e *ee ma!e o the moo a! iformatio see0i' space pro*es !ispatche! to s#r+e$
p"aets "i0e Ge#s a! Sat#r) The research materia" 'athere! #po s#ch !i+erse matters as earth
reso#rces( ioospheric acti+ities( so"ar ra!iatio( cosmic ra$s a! the 'eera" str#ct#re of space
a! p"aet formatios has stim#"ate! f#rther efforts to #!ersta! the at#re of space a! the
cosmos)
;
This immese icrease i a+ai"a*"e iformatio has a"so "e! to the !e+e"opmet of the "a% of
o#ter space( form#"ati' 'eera""$ accepte! pricip"es to re'#"ate the iterests of the +ario#s
states i+o"+e! as %e"" as ta0i' ito acco#t the cocer of the iteratioa" comm#it$ as a
%ho"e)
THE DE&%&T&O% A%D DEL&M&%AT&O% O O!TE" S#A$E
&
-ote the role pla4ed 24 the ,- Co11ittee on the 5ea!efl ,ses of Oter Spa!e esta2lished
in 1#(& and !onsisting !rrentl4 of si6t4 78e states. 9he !o11ittee has a Legal
S2!o11ittee and a S!ienti7! and 9e!hni!al S2!o11ittee.
#
9he ,: has noted, for e6a1ple, that, ;for pra!ti!al prposes the li1it <2etween airspa!e
and oter spa!e= is !onsidered to 2e as high as an4 air!raft !an >4.?
7
It soo *ecame apparet that the usque ad coelu r#"e( pro+i!i' for state so+erei't$ o+er
territoria" airspace to a #restricte! e2tet( %as ot +ia*"e %here space e2p"oratio %as
cocere!) To o*tai the i!i+i!#a" cosets of co#tries to the passa'e of sate""ites a! other
+ehic"es or*iti' more tha -66 mi"es a*o+e their s#rface %o#"! pro+e c#m*ersome i the
e2treme a! i practice states ha+e ac3#iesce! i s#ch tra+ersi') This meas that the
so+erei't$ of states o+er their airspace is "imite! i hei'ht at most to the poit %here the
airspace meets space itse"f) Precise"$ %here this *o#!ar$ "ies is !iffic#"t to sa$ a! %i"" !epe!
#po techo"o'ica" a! other factors( *#t fi'#res *et%ee A6 a! -66 mi"es ha+e *ee p#t
for%ar!)
-6
As co+etioa" aircraft are !e+e"ope! to attai 'reater hei'hts( so states %i"" %ish to see their
so+erei't$ e2te! to those hei'hts a!( as %e"" as 'e#ie #certait$( this fear of s#rre!eri'
%hat ma$ pro+e to *e i the f#t#re +a"#a*"e so+erei' ri'hts has pre+ete! a$ a'reemet o the
!e"imitatio of this partic#"ar frotier)
--

%AT&O%AL LAW
Space "a% a"so ecompasses atioa" "a%s( a! ma$ co#tries ha+e passe! atioa" space
"e'is"atio i recet $ears) The O#ter Space Treat$ re3#ires parties to a#thoriCe a! s#per+ise
atioa" space acti+ities( ic"#!i' the acti+ities of o,'o+ermeta" etities s#ch as
commercia" a! o,profit or'aiCatios) The O#ter Space Treat$ a"so icorporates the UN
Charter *$ referece( a! re3#ires parties to es#re that acti+ities are co!#cte! i accor!ace
%ith other forms of iteratioa" "a% s#ch as c#stomar$ iteratioa" "a% Ethe c#stom a!
practice of statesF)
The a!+et of commercia" space acti+ities *e$o! the scope of the sate""ite comm#icatios
i!#str$( a! the !e+e"opmet of ma$ commercia" spaceports( is "ea!i' ma$ co#tries to
cosi!er ho% to re'#"ate pri+ate space acti+ities) The cha""e'e is to re'#"ate these acti+ities i a
maer that !oes ot hi!er or prec"#!e i+estmet( %hi"e sti"" es#ri' that commercia"
1*
9he ,: has noted, for e6a1ple, that, ;for pra!ti!al prposes the li1it <2etween airspa!e
and oter spa!e= is !onsidered to 2e as high as an4 air!raft !an >4?, 7* B@IL , 1###, p.(2*
11
See generall4 Christol, Modern International Law, !hapter 1*, and see e.g, ,:AIL,+4, B@IL,
1##3, 5.+&#
&
acti+ities comp"$ %ith iteratioa" "a%) The !e+e"opi' atios are cocere! that the space
fari' atios %i"" moopo"iCe space reso#rces)
)EOSTAT&O%A"* O"+&T ALLO$AT&O%
Sate""ites i 'eostatioar$ or*it m#st a"" occ#p$ a si'"e ri' a*o+e the e3#ator( appro2imate"$
1A(866 0m ito space) The re3#iremet to space these sate""ites apart meas that there is a "imite!
#m*er of or*ita" Hs"otsH a+ai"a*"e( th#s o"$ a "imite! #m*er of sate""ites ca *e p"ace! i
'eostatioar$ or*it) This has "e! to cof"ict *et%ee !ifferet co#tries %ishi' access to the
same or*ita" s"ots Eco#tries at the same "o'it#!e *#t !ifferi' "atit#!esF) These !isp#tes are
a!!resse! thro#'h the ITU a""ocatio mechaism) Co#tries "ocate! at the EarthIs e3#ator ha+e
a"so asserte! their "e'a" c"aim to cotro" the #se of space a*o+e their territor$) I -;@7( co#tries
"ocate! at the EarthIs e3#ator create! the /o'ota Dec"aratio( i %hich the$ asserte! their "e'a"
c"aim to cotro" the #se of space a*o+e their territor$)
#
THE "E)&ME O O!TE" S#A$E
/e$o! the poit separati' air from space( states ha+e a'ree! to app"$ the iteratioa" "a%
pricip"es of res counis, so that o portio of o#ter space ma$ *e appropriate! to the
so+erei't$ of i!i+i!#a" states)
This %as ma!e c"ear i a #m*er of <eera" Assem*"$ reso"#tios fo""o%i' the a!+et of the
sate""ite era i the "ate -;A6s) For istace( UN <eera" Assem*"$ reso"#tio -;7.EJGIIF(
a!opte! i -;71 a! etit"e! the Dec"aratio of Le'a" Pricip"es <o+eri' the Acti+ities of
States i the E2p"oratio a! Use of O#ter Space( "a$s !o% a series of app"ica*"e "e'a"
pricip"es %hich ic"#!e the pro+isios that o#ter space a! ce"estia" *o!ies %ere free from
e2p"oratio a! #se *$ a"" states o a *asis of e3#a"it$ a! i accor!ace %ith iteratioa" "a%(
a! that o#ter space a! ce"estia" *o!ies %ere ot s#*ject to atioa" appropriatio *$ a$
meas)
-.

I a!!itio( the Dec"aratio o Iteratioa" Co,operatio i the E2p"oratio a! Use of O#ter
Space a!opte! i reso"#tioA-K-.7( -;;7( ca""e! for f#rther iteratioa" co,operatio( %ith
partic#"ar attetio *ei' 'i+e to the *eefit for a! the iterests of !e+e"opi' co#tries a!
co#tries %ith icipiet space pro'rammes stemmi' from s#ch iteratioa" co,operatio
co!#cte! %ith co#tries %ith more a!+ace! space capa*i"ities)
-1
S#ch reso"#tios costit#te!
i ma$ cases a! i the circ#mstaces e2pressios of state practice a! opiio j#ris a! %ere
th#s part of c#stomar$ "a%)
-?
The "e'a" re'ime of o#ter space %as c"arifie! *$ the si'at#re i -;7@ of the Treat$ o Pricip"es
<o+eri' the Acti+ities of States i the E2p"oratio a! Use of O#ter Space( ic"#!i' the
:oo a! Other Ce"estia" /o!ies) This reiterates that o#ter space( ic"#!i' the moo a! other
ce"estia" *o!ies( is ot s#*ject to atioa" appropriatio *$ a$ meas a! emphasises that the
e2p"oratio a! #se of o#ter space m#st *e carrie! o#t for the *eefit of a"" co#tries) The Treat$
12
See also Beneral /sse12l4 resoltions 1721"')I$ and 1&&4"')III$
13
See also ;9he Spa!e Aillenni1C 9he )ienna .e!laration on Spa!e and D1an
.e8elop1ent? adopted 24 the 9hird ,nited -ations Conferen!e on the E6ploration and
5ea!efl ,ses of Oter Spa!e
14
See a2o8e, !hapter 3, and B. Cheng, E,nited -ations %esoltions on Oter Spa!eC
FInstantG International Csto1ar4 LawH?, ( Indian Iornal of International Law, 1#+(,
p.23
1*
!oes ot esta*"ish as s#ch a precise *o#!ar$ *et%ee airspace a! o#ter space *#t it pro+i!es
the frame%or0 for the iteratioa" "a% of o#ter space)
-A

Artic"e ? pro+i!es that states parties to the Treat$ a'reeL ot to p"ace i or*it aro#! the earth
a$ o*jects carr$i' #c"ear %eapos or a$ other 0i!s of %eapos of mass !estr#ctio( ista""
s#ch %eapos o ce"estia" *o!ies( or statio s#ch %eapos i o#ter space i a$ other maer)
There are( ho%e+er( !isa'reemets as to the meai' ofthis pro+isio)
-7
The artic"e *as o"$
#c"ear %eapos a! %eapos of mass !estr#ctio from o#ter space( the ce"estia" *o!ies a!
from or*it aro#! the earth( *#t artic"e - !oes emphasise that the e2p"oratio a! #se of o#ter
space Isha"" *e carrie! o#t for the *eefit a! i the iterests of a"" co#triesI a! it has *ee
ar'#e! that this ca *e iterprete! to mea that a$ mi"itar$ acti+it$ i space cotra+ees the
treat$)
-@
U!er artic"e ?( o"$ the moo a! other ce"estia" *o!ies m#st *e #se! e2c"#si+e"$ for peacef#"
p#rposes( a"tho#'h the #se of mi"itar$ persoe" for scietific a! other peacef#" p#rposes is ot
prohi*ite!) There are miima"ist a! ma2ima"ist iterpretatios as to ho% these pro+isios are to
*e #!erstoo!) The former( for e2amp"e( %o#"! ar'#e that o"$ a''ressi+e mi"itar$ acti+it$ is
*ae!( %hi"e the "atter %o#"! prohi*it a"" mi"itar$ *eha+io#r) Artic"e 7 pro+i!es for iteratioa"
resposi*i"it$ for atioa" acti+ities i o#ter space( ic"#!i' the moo a! other ce"estia" *o!ies(
%hether s#ch acti+ities are carrie! o *$ 'o+ermeta" a'ecies or *$ o,'o+ermeta" etities(
a! for ass#ri' that atioa" acti+ities are carrie! o#t i coformit$ %ith the Treat$) The
acti+ities of o,'o+ermeta" etities i o#ter space( ic"#!i' the moo a! other ce"estia"
*o!ies( re3#ire a#thorisatio a! coti#i' s#per+isio *$ the appropriate state part$ to the
Treat$) Whe acti+ities are carrie! o i o#ter space( ic"#!i' the moo a! other ce"estia"
*o!ies( *$ a iteratioa" or'aisatio( resposi*i"it$ for comp"iace %ith the Treat$ is to *e
*ore *oth *$ the iteratioa" or'aisatio a! *$ the states parties to the Treat$ participati' i s#ch
or'aisatio)
-8
1(
See e.g. Christol, Aodern International Law, !hapter 2. See also Oppenhei1?s International
Law, p.&2&
1+
9he isse 2e!a1e parti!larl4 !ontro8ersial in the light of the ,S Strategi! .efen!e
Initiati8e "Star Wars$, whi!h ai1ed to de8elop a range of anti3satellite and anti31issile
weapons 2ased in spa!e.
17
See e.g, Aar!oJ, Traite, pp.3+1 J.
1&
See e.g, B. Cheng, ;/rti!le )I of the 1#+7 9reat4 %e8isited?, Iornal of Spa!e Law,p.7
11
U!er artic"e 8( states retai j#ris!ictio a! cotro" o+er persoe" a! +ehic"es "a#che! *$
them ito space a! #!er artic"e @ the$ remai resposi*"e for a$ !ama'e ca#se! to other
parties to the Treat$ *$ their space o*jects)
-;
This aspect of space "a% %as f#rther !e+e"ope! *$ the Co+etio o Iteratioa" Lia*i"it$ for
Dama'e Ca#se! *$ Space O*jects si'e! i -;@.( artic"e JI- of %hich pro+i!es for the pa$met
of compesatio i accor!ace %ith iteratioa" "a% a! the pricip"es of j#stice a! e3#it$ for
a$ !ama'e ca#se! *$ space o*jects) Artic"e II pro+i!es for a*so"#te "ia*i"it$ to pa$ s#ch
compesatio for !ama'e ca#se! *$ a space o*ject o the s#rface of the earth or to aircraft i
f"i'ht( %hereas artic"e III pro+i!es for fa#"t "ia*i"it$ for !ama'e ca#se! e"se%here or to persos
or propert$ o *oar! a space o*ject) This Co+etio %as i+o0e! *$ Caa!a i -;@; fo""o%i'
the !ama'e a""e'e!"$ ca#se! *$ So+iet Cosmos ;A?) As a reiforcemet to this e+o"+i' s$stem
of state resposi*i"it$( the Co+etio o the Re'istratio of O*jects La#che! ito O#ter Space
%as opee! for si'at#re i -;@A( comi' ito force i -;@7) This "ai! !o% a series of
stip#"atios for the re'istratio of iformatio re'ar!i' space o*jects( s#ch as( for e2amp"e(
their p#rpose( "ocatio a! parameters( %ith the Uite! Natios secretar$ 'eera") II -;;1( the
UN <eera" Assem*"$ a!opte! Pricip"es Re"e+at to the Use of N#c"ear Po%er So#rces i
O#ter U!er these Pricip"es( the "a#chi' state is( prior to the "a#ch( to es#re that a thoro#'h
a! comprehesi+e safet$ assessmet is co!#cte! a! ma!e p#*"ic"$ a+ai"a*"e) Where a space
o*ject appears to ma"f#ctio %ith a ris0 of re,etr$ of ra!ioacti+e materia"s to the earth( the
"a#chi' state is to iform states cocere! a! the UN Secretar$,<eera" a! respo!
prompt"$ to re3#ests for f#rther iformatio or cos#"tatios so#'ht *$ other states) Pricip"e 8
pro+i!es that states sha"" *ear iteratioa" resposi*i"it$ for atioa" acti+ities i+o"+i' the #se
of #c"ear po%er so#rces i o#ter space( %hether s#ch acti+ities are carrie! o#t *$ 'o+ermeta"
a'ecies or *$ o,'o+ermeta" a'ecies) Pricip"e ; pro+i!es that each state %hich "a#ches
or proc#res the "a#chi' of a space o*ject a! each state from %hose territor$ or faci"it$ a space
o*ject is "a#che! sha"" *e iteratioa""$ "ia*"e for !ama'e ca#se! *$ s#ch space o*ject or its
compoet parts) The A'reemet o the Resc#e of Astroa#ts( the Ret#r of Astroa#ts a! the
Ret#r of O*jects La#che! ito O#ter Space %as si'e! i -;78 a! sets o#t the "e'a"
frame%or0 for the pro+isio of emer'ec$ assistace to astroa#ts) It pro+i!es for imme!iate
otificatio of the "a#chi' a#thorit$ or( if that is ot imme!iate"$ possi*"e( a p#*"ic
1#
See frther Cheng, Stdies in Spa!e Laws, !h. 17 and 1&
12
ao#cemet re'ar!i' space persoe" i !istress as %e"" as the imme!iate pro+isio of
assistace) It a"so co+ers search a! resc#e operatios as %e"" as a '#aratee of prompt ret#r)
The Co+etio a"so pro+i!es for reco+er$ of space o*jects)
O!TE" S#A$E T"EAT* O ,-./
O Decem*er -;( -;77( the <eera" Assem*"$ thro#'h a reso"#tio a!opte! the te2t of the Treat$
o Pricip"es <o+eri' the Acti+ities of States i the E2p"oratio a! Use of O#ter Space(
ic"#!i' the :oo a! the Ce"estia" /o!ies)
.6
The reso"#tio %as a!opte! #aimo#s"$) It is to
*e ote! that most of the pricip"es ic"#!e! i the Dec"aratio a!opte! i -;71 %ere
icorporate! i the Treat$) It came ito force o Octo*er .6( -;7@) /$ the e! of Decem*er(
.666( ;@ States ha! *ecome parties to the Treat$) >o%e+er( the Treat$ is *i!i' ot o"$ to
those States %hich are parties to it *#t to a"" the states i +ie% of the fact that the r#"es re'ar!i'
the o#ter space ha! croppe! #p as a c#stomar$ r#"e of iteratioa" "a%)
.-

The Treat$ %as a "a!mar0 o the roa! to%ar!s the esta*"ishmet of a "e'a" re'ime of o#ter
space) The a*o+e Treat$( commo"$ 0o% as O#ter Space Treat$( "ai! !o% ma$ pricip"es
re"ati' to the acti+ities o o#ter space( ce"estia" *o!ies a! the :oo) Nota*"e amo'st them are
fo""o%i'L
EaF Free!om of E2p"oratio of O#ter Space
E*F No,Appropriatio of O#ter Space
EcF Peacef#" #ses of O#ter Space
E!F J#ris!ictio of States o+er O*jects La#che!
EeF Iteratioa" Resposi*i"it$ for Natioa" Acti+ities
EfF Assistace to persoe" of Space Craft
E'F Promotio of Iteratioa" Co,operatio i the Use of O#ter Space
Other Iteratioa" Co+etios %hich ha+e *ee a!opte! are as fo""o%s&
The A'reemet o the Resc#e of Astroa#ts( the Ret#r of Astroa#ts a! the Ret#r of
O*jects La#che! ito O#ter SpaceE-;78F
The Co+etio o Iteratioa" Lia*i"it$ for Dama'e Ca#se! *$ Space O*jectsE-;@-F
2*
Beneral /sse12l4 %esoltion 2222 "''I$, .e!e12er 1#, 1#++
21
). )eres!hetin, ;On the i1portan!e of the 5rin!iples of States So8ereignt4 in International
Spa!e Law,? IIIL, )ol. 17"1#77$ p.2*4
13
The Co+etio o the Re'istratio of O*jects La#che! ito Space for the E2p"oratio
or Use of O#ter SpaceE-;@?F
The A'reemet <o+eri' the Acti+ities of States o the :oo a! other Ce"estia"
/o!ies( -;@;)
Giea Coferece o the E2p"oratio a! Peacef#" Uses of O#ter Space EUNISPACE
8.F EUNISPACE IIF
UNISPACE III
Iteratioa" Space =ear EIS=F( -;;.
&%D&A0S M&SS&O% TO THE MOO%
O ..
!
Octo*er( .668( at 7L.. a)m( I!ia "a#che! its spacecraft to the :oo( th#s *ecomi' the
7
th
atio to eter the e"ite c"#* i this fie"! oce "a#che! i Srihari0ota Pee$a i /a'a"ore
%i"" ta0e o+er Cha!ra$aa,IL
E-F Prepare a three !imesioa" at"as of *oth the ear a! far si!e of the moo for a !eeper
#!ersta!i')
E.F Co!#ct chemica" a! miera"o'ica" mappi' of the etire "#ar s#rface to ascertai the
!istri*#tio of at#ra" reso#rces o the "#ar s#rface)
E1F Search for >e"i#m,1( cosi!ere! amo' the c"earest f#e"s 0o% it is sparse"$ a+ai"a*"e
o Earth) Accor!i' to the Scietists if he"i#m ca *e haresse! i #c"ear reactors it %i""
'o o a "o' %a$ i so"+i' EarthBs po%er pro*"ems) Whi"e earth ma$ ha+e o"$ -A
toes of he"i#m,1( :oo is tho#'ht to cotai #p to A mi""io toes( eo#'h to pro!#ce
eer'$ for 8666 $ears)
E?F Search of %ater( ice a! st#!$ "#ar roc0s)
The search for %ater is importat) If e+er$thi' 'oes %e"" there is the possi*i"it$ of mae! "#ar
"a!i' i .6.6s)
Cha!ra$aa,- %i"" remai i moo or*it for t%o $ears) E'ieers %i"" %or0 i shifts to moitor
Cha!ra$aa e+er$ mi#te for the e2t t%o $ears) After -A!a$s( Cha!ra$aa %i"" eter "#ar
or*it 1(8@(666 0m( from earthM %i"" *e cease! ito a sta*"e or*it -66 0m( a*o+e moo)
I!ia th#s *ecame the 7
th
co#tr$ to"a#ch :oo missio) Others areL 7A *$ former USSR a!
USA( t%o *$ Japa( oe each *$ E#ropea Space A'ec$ a! Chia)
14
It is p"ae! that I!ias o moo %i"" *e i .6.6) /$ .6-A I!ia %i"" se! its o% astroa#t ito
space)
DRAFT PRINCIPLES ON RE:OTE SENSIN< OF T>E EART> FRO: OUTER SPACE L
I a!!itio to the a*o+e co+etios( !raft pricip"es o remote sesi' %as a!opte! i -;87 *$
the Le'a" S#*,Committee of the Peacef#" Uses of the O#ter Space) Later( o Decem*er 1( -;8@(
the <eera" Assem*"$ %itho#t +ote a!opte! a set of fiftee pricip"es re"ati' to Remote Sesi'
of the Earth from Space)
..
The reso"#tio state!L remote sesi' acti+ities sha"" *e carrie! o#t for
the *eefit a! i the iterests of a"" co#tries( irrespecti+e of their !e'ree of ecoomic( socia" or
scietific a! techo"o'ica" !e+e"opmet( a! ta0i' ito partic#"ar cosi!eratio the ee!s of
!e+e"opi' co#tries) Remote sesi' sho#"! *e #se! to protect the Earths at#ra" e+iromet
a! protect ma0i! from at#ra" !isasters)
PRINCIPLES RELEGANT ON USE OF NUCLEAR POWER SOURCES IN OUTER SPACEL
I -;;1( the <eera" Assem*"$ a!opte! the Pricip"es Re"e+at to the Use of the N#c"ear Po%er
So#rces i O#ter Space) U!er these Pricip"es( the "a#chi' State is( prior to the "a#ch( to
es#re that a thoro#'h a! comprehesi+e safet$ assessmet is co!#cte! a! ma!e p#*"ic"$
a+ai"a*"e) Where a space o*ject appears to ma"f#ctio %ith a ris0 of re,etr$ of a ra!ioacti+e
materia"s to the earth( the "a#chi' State is to iform States cocere! a! the UN Secretar$
<eera" a! respo! prompt"$ to re3#ests for f#rther iformatio or cos#"tatios so#'ht *$
other States)
.1

CO-SE-S,S
The COPUOS( Committee for the Peacef#" Uses of O#ter Space( operates o the *asis of
coses#s( i!e! a"" committee a! s#*committee !e"e'ates m#st a'ree o treat$ "a'#a'e *efore it
ca *e ic"#!e! i the fia" +ersio of a treat$( a! the committees caot p"ace e% items o
their a'e!as #"ess a"" mem*er atios a'ree) Oe reaso that the U)N) space treaties "ac0
!efiitios a! are #c"ear i other respects( is *eca#se it is easier to achie+e coses#s %he
"a'#a'e a! terms are +a'#e) I recet $ears( the COPUOS Le'a" S#*committee has *ee
22
Beneral /sse12l4 %esoltion 410++
23
Beneral /sse12l4 %esoltion 470+&
1(
#a*"e to achie+e coses#s o !isc#ssio of a e% comprehesi+e space a'reemet( a! it is
a"so #"i0e"$ that the S#*committee %i"" *e a*"e to a'ree to ame! the O#ter Space Treat$ i the
foreseea*"e f#t#re) :a$ space fari' atios seem to *e"ie+e that !isc#ssi' a e% space
a'reemet or ame!met of the O#ter Space Treat$ %o#"! *e f#ti"e a! time cos#mi'(
*eca#se etreche! !iffereces re'ar!i' reso#rce appropriatio( propert$ ri'hts a! other iss#es
re"ati' to commercia" acti+it$ ma0e coses#s #"i0e"$)

1+
$O%$L!S&O%
Space 1a2 is a area of the "a% that ecompasses atioa" a! iteratioa" "a% 'o+eri'
acti+ities i o#ter space) Iteratioa" "a%$ers ha+e *ee #a*"e to a'ree o a #iform !efiitio
of the term Ho#ter space(H a"tho#'h most "a%$ers a'ree that o#ter space 'eera""$ *e'is at the
"o%est a"tit#!e a*o+e sea "e+e" at %hich o*jects ca or*it the Earth( appro2imate"$ -66 0m E7.
miF)
The iceptio of the fie"! of space "a% *e'a %ith the "a#ch of the %or"!Is first artificia"
sate""ite *$ the So+iet Uio i Octo*er -;A@) Name! Sputni"( the sate""ite %as "a#che! as part
of the Iteratioa" <eoph$sica" =ear) Sice that time( space "a% has e+o"+e! a! ass#me! more
importace as h#ma0i! has icreasi'"$ come to #se a! re"$ o space,*ase! reso#rces)
/e'ii' i -;A@( atios *e'a !isc#ssi' s$stems to es#re the peacef#" #se of o#ter space)
/i"atera" !isc#ssios *et%ee the Uite! States a! USSR i -;A8 res#"te! i the presetatio of
iss#es to the UN for !e*ate) I -;A; the UN create! the Committee o the Peacef#" Uses of
O#ter Space ECOPUOSF) COPUOS i t#r create! t%o s#*committees( the Scietific a!
Techica" S#*committee a! the Le'a" S#*committee) The COPUOS Le'a" S#*committee has
*ee a primar$ for#m for !isc#ssio a! e'otiatio of iteratioa" a'reemets re"ati' to o#ter
space)
Whi"e this fie"! of the "a% is sti"" i its ifac$( it is i a era of rapi! cha'e a! !e+e"opmet)
Ar'#a*"$ the reso#rces of space are ifiite( a! "imite! o"$ *$ o#r a*i"it$ to #se them i a
maer that is fair a! e3#ita*"e to a"" atios a! %hich is e+irometa""$ ethica") If
commercia" space trasportatio *ecomes %i!e"$ a+ai"a*"e( %ith s#*statia""$ "o%er "a#ch
costs( the a"" co#tries %i"" *e a*"e to !irect"$ reap the *eefits of space reso#rces) I that
sit#atio( it seems "i0e"$ that coses#s %i"" *e m#ch easier to achie+e %ith respect to
commercia" !e+e"opmet a! h#ma sett"emet of o#ter space) >i'h costs are ot the o"$ factor
pre+eti' the ecoomic e2p"oitatio of spaceL it is ar'#e! that space sho#"! *e cosi!ere! as a
pristie e+iromet %orth$ of protectio a! coser+atio( a! that the "e'a" re'ime for space
sho#"! f#rther protect it from *ei' #se! as a reso#rce for EarthIs ee!s) De*ate is a"so foc#se!
o %hether space sho#"! coti#e to *e "e'a""$ !efie! as part of the 4commo herita'e of ma(&
17
a! therefore #a+ai"a*"e for atioa" c"aims( or %hether its "e'a" !efiitio sho#"! *e cha'e! to
a""o% pri+ate propert$ i space)
1&
+&+L&O)"A#H*
BOOKS
/garwal .r. D. O.K FInternational Law L D1an %ightsGK 14
th
Edition 2**7K
Central Law 52li!ations
:apoor .r. S. %. K FInternational Law L D1an %ightsGK 17
th
Edition 2**#K
Central Law /gen!4
Shearer I. /.K FStarMe?s International LawGK 11
th
Edition 1##4K O6ford
Ioshi :. C.K FInternational Law L D1an %ightsGK 2**+ EditionK Eastern BooM
Co1pan4
WEBSITES ACCESSED
www. internationallaw help.!o1
www.sh8oong.!o1
www.2ritanni!a.!o1
www. law!afe.in
www. Nornals.!a12ridge.org
www.Mlwerlaw.!o1
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