LEGAL ASPECTS OF SPACE COOPERATION TO TURN INTO PRACTICAL BENEFITS. A PROPOSAL FOR THE LATIN AMERICAN REGION: AQUARELSAT, THE WATER MONITORING CONSTELLATION

摘要

This paper identifies key legal and technical aspects to implement space cooperation through satellite projects and applications to improve the quality of life of end users in the Latin American region. The first section gives an overview of different regional schemes of space cooperation to find the best legal practices and tools when closing the bridge between space policy and practical benefits. The second section suggests a legal model to implement space cooperation in the Latin American region, and describes how the legal framework would be evolving with the time when national space capabilities are in place. This section will introduce AQUARELSat: The Water Monitoring Constellation. Considering the discussion above, this paper concludes by indicating and explaining the next legal steps to implement space cooperation into real and practical benefits, for instance, improving access to drinking water in the Latin American region. The next steps will focus in the near future, but general guidelines will be provided for the longer term to enhance regional cooperation.