Radarsat-2 regulatory issues and international law perspectives on commercial remote sensing and military operations

摘要

This note briefly analyses the regulatory issues presently being considered by the government of Canada pertaining to space-based earth imaging. On an international perspective legal issues involving space-based earth imaging and military operations are analyzed. In particular, the international law regulating the legitimacy of targeting remote sensing satellites and ground installations are briefly reviewed. The rapid gathering and dissemination of information has probably become the defining paradigm of our epoch permeating practically all dimensions of public and private interaction. No one can deny that space technology occupies an important part of this new reality. In fact, space technology is now a crucial component of our global information infrastructures. Satellites are the space component of our information pipeline. Space based earth imaging satellites collect a vast amount of data for military and civilian uses. Many countries have developed this technology through various commercialization efforts.