introduction to space systems and spacecraft design space systems design legal considerations for...

Introduction to Space Systems and Spacecraft DesignSpace Systems Design

Legal ConsiderationsFor

Mission Design

Mission Design - Legal Considerations


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1. Legal issues in space? Who cares?

2. It is far away, can it effect you & me?

3. Why worry about law and policy for space systems?



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1. Legal issues in space? Who cares?

What happened during exploration in the 1700?

What about the discovery of the north and south poles in the 1800 & 1900s?

Explorers at that time claimed any land they discovered.

Explorers at that time claimed any land they discovered.

Who owns the Moon and Mars?

The first ones that had landings there?



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2. It is far away, can it effect you & me?

If the Russians claimed ownership of the moon -

What about a Moon base -

would we have to pay a landing fee every time we landed there?

we would have to pay rent to the Russians for space.



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10 Sq Km - Moon Space for Rent

$1,500,000/month

Russian Moon RealityContact: Alex [email protected]

What about a Moon base -


Introduction to Space Systems and Spacecraft DesignSpace Systems Design 6

3. Why worry about law and policy for space systems?

Satellites orbit over many countries on earth

• Who owns space above country?―Illegal to fly aircraft over countries without permission

• What about satellites?―Russians proposed - 100 – 110km lower limit―Other – 36,000km – own space to and including GEO belt

― National treaties by ITU (International Telecommunications Uniono Gives rights for use of frequencies for satellites

• Use of transmit frequencies from satellites?



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• US passed Commercial Space Act of 1998 for the Department of Transportation to control launch of US satellites.

• US commercial satellites can not be launched unless they have a license for proper use of satellite to ground frequency.

• Use of transmit frequencies from satellite?

• National regulation agencies―US – FCC (Federal Communications Commission)



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Sovereign nations make treaties

• Must use celestial bodies for “peaceful purposes”

• No nuclear weapons in space …

• The rules of space will follow the established principles and rules of international law and the UN Charter.

• No nation may claim sovereignty over outer space

• All nations may scientifically investigate space

• Recovered space objects must go back to launching nations

• Astronauts are envoys of mankind– must be returned home nation promptly

Outer Space Treaty of 1967



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• Launch nation must advise UN Secretary General of:― Date and location of launch― Orbital parameters― General functions of space object

• Nations must maintain register of their launches

• Launching nation liable for damages to citizens of other nations cased by national and private launch activities

• Nations bear international responsibility for their actives in outer space, whether done by government agencies or private citizens

Outer Space Treaty of 1967 – (cont’ed)



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• Nations must conduct space activities so as to avoid harming or contaminating the environment.

Outer Space Treaty of 1967 – (cont’ed)

• Stations on moon or other celestial bodies shall be open mutually to representatives of other nations after reasonable advance notice.



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Other Issues

― Loss to others on flight (secondary to primary launch payloads)

― Reentry of Russian nuclear reactor in Canada in 1978 that contaminated 124,000 km2

• Purchase insurance for:

• Claims due to reentering satellites causing damage to other nations.

― Reflight

― Launch failure

― Third party liability ---- return of space station parts

― Launch damage of commercial launches to government facilities

― Prelaunch damage (getting to launch site)



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• To do THIS, a university must register with the US State Department as a EXPORT ARMS DEALER

Other Issues (cont’d)

Would your university want to do this?

• Import – export regulations― Space Systems Design need export certificate to launch your

satellite on a foreign launcher― Space Systems Design needs go get ITAR (International Trade in

Arms Regulations) certificate to work with contracts with foreign countries.

• University students that give information to a non favored nation on satellites or satellite operations could be liable for federal prosecution. (Even giving reference to public domain material)



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What about Asteroid mining?Who owns the mineral rights?

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