NATIONAL SPACE LEGISLATION - THE WORK OF THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF UNCOPUOS 2008-2011

摘要

In 2007, the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, on theinitiative of the United States of America, decided to put a new item on the agenda, entitled "General Exchangeof information on national legislation relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space". A multi-yearprogram of work was decided upon for 2008 to 2011. In 2008, a working group was established which shouldprepare a report for the Legal Subcommittee in 2011. The present paper will present and analyze the work of theworking group in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 from the perspective of the chair.The working group started its deliberations on the basis of responses received from Member States relating tonational legislation on the regulation of governmental and non-governmental space activities. In addition, itexamined documents prepared by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on previous agenda itemsrelating to the concept of the launching State and to the registration practice of States. The work was thenstructured around a number of questions put to the Member States. First, the different reasons for enacting ornon-enacting national space legislation were discussed. Secondly, the activities targeted by such legislation wereidentified. Thirdly, national jurisdiction over space activities was examined. Fourthly, an exchange ofinformation on the national authorities competent for registration, authorization and supervision in the differentcountries took place. Fifthly, the conditions to be fulfilled for registration and authorization were discussed.Sixthly, the different regulations and practices concerning liability and insurance were taken note of. Finally, theworking group examined how compliance with the provisions of national space legislation was monitored andenforced.The paper analyzes the deliberations of the working group and highlights some of the most important outcomes.It concludes by an analysis of the report of the working group which will consist of a summary of the workconducted, an overview over national space legislations, findings of the working group and conclusions.