Space Law

In June 2006, in Toronto, the Committee submitted its Second Report on “Legal Aspects of the Privatisation and Commercialisation of Space Activities: Remote Sensing (RS) and National Space Legislation (NSL)” to the 72nd Conference of the ILA. During the Toronto working session special attention was also given to registration issues in view of their close link with the topics included in the Committee’s terms of reference (i.e., the use of earth observation satellites and their many applications and the increase –albeit slow- of domestic laws on outer space). The Toronto Report focused on state practice concerning all three issues. This was clearly reflected in the Toronto working session of the Committee where participants, in addition to addressing RS and NSL, discussed the reasons for the timid support given by the international community to the 1975 UN Convention on Registration of Objects launched into Outer Space. To date, the Convention has been ratified by only 47 countries. Indeed, the importance of registration is its direct connection with the effectiveness of the provisions on international responsibility and liability underlying the Space Treaties in force.In fact, in the aftermath of the Toronto Conference this ILA Committee was invited to give its thoughts on a 2006 Report prepared by the UN Working Group on Registration –operating in the framework of the Legal Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The comments and suggestions of the ILA Space Law Committee were presented to the 46th Session of that UN body (Vienna, 26 March-6 April 2007) and are published as an Annex to the Report on the contribution of the ILA to the development of space law which is requested annually by the UN. The text of this presentation made by the Committee Chair may be found in Doc. A/AC.105/C.2/L.265.A Third Report is currently underway for submission to the 73rd Conference of the ILA in August 2008, addressing the various chapters of the Committee’s terms of reference and containing some draft proposals as well. This Report will also include comments on the legal aspects of space debris (on the basis of the ILA International Instrument on the Protection of the Environment from Damage caused by Space Debris – adopted at its 66th Conference) and on dispute settlement related to space activities (on the basis of the ILA Draft Convention adopted at its 68th Conference).;Since their adoption both topics continue under permanent review by this Committee.Having in mind the scope of the present mandate of the Committee and the many implications involved in the topics under study, the Final Report may be expected for the 74th Conference of the ILA in 2010. In the meantime, suggestions by ILA members and other interested parties shall be most welcome.