1 Information Analysis Center for Aerospace Law (Kyiv, Ukraine)
2 Lawyer (Kyiv, Ukraine)
3 Research Institute of Public Law (Kyiv, Ukraine)
4 Research Institute of Public Law (Kyiv, Ukraine)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/10/1
Received: 17 November 2022 / Accepted: 29 November 2022 / Published: 30 December 2022
View Full-Text Review Reports Cite This Paper
Abstract
Due to the fact that the active world exploration of outer space has both positive and negative consequences, the search for effective mechanisms to overcome the negative human impact from the implementation of space activities is now relevant, in particular, the destruction of a huge amount of space debris is important. This study aims to find an answer to the question: how is the legal status of space debris determined at the international level, as well as what is the legal status of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee? The search for an answer to this question is implemented by analyzing scientific opinions, international documents, norms of national legislation of Ukraine and certain US legislative provisions. The basis for its implementation was the use of such methods of scientific activity as thematic and content analysis, collation and comparison, with the help of which the author’s definition of the legal status of “space debris” was provided and its features were highlighted. The analysis of existing international legal acts showed the absence of international norms and mechanisms that would fully protect against damage that can be caused to life, property or the environment from space debris, because the adopted norms and developed mechanisms are optional for implementation and are designed for the “good will” of participants in space activities. An effective solution to this global problem is possible only through international cooperation. However, the available scientific data and the current state of technology do not allow us to expect that a broad international agreement can be adopted in the near future that would comprehensively and effectively regulate aspects of space debris management.
Keywords: space activities, space debris, outer space, Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee, legal status, legal liability.
References
ACONF184_6E Report of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1999) United Nations. Available online: https://www.unoosa.org/pdf/reports/unispace/ACONF184_6E.pdf
Avtorgov, A.M. (2008) Administrative and legal status of the state executive. Nation. Univer. of Intern. Affairs.
Connolly, Michael J., and Black, Henry Campbell (2004) Black’s Law Dictionary. Thomson West; 8th edition.
Convention on registration of objects launched into outer space (1975) Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Available online: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_253#Text
Convention on international liability for damage caused by space objects (1972) Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Available online: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_126#Text
Hein, Til (2015) Space debris around the Earth. First page title. Wisemotors. Available online: https://wisemotors.ru/en/temy/space-debris-around-the-earth-first-page-title/
IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2020) Issued by IADC Steering Group and Working Group 4. Available online: https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/iadc-space-debrisguidelines-revision-2.pdf
International Organizations (2022) Glossary. Organization of economic cooperation and development official website. Available online: https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=1434
Komarova, Yu. M. (2018) Administrative and legal status of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. Kyiv.
Makarchuk, Vitaliy (2015) The concept of “legal status of a person” in theoretical and legal literature. Pravo.ua. No 3: 18-22. Available online: http://193.138.93.8/bitstream/BNAU/1740/3/Poniattia_pravov.pdf
NASA’s efforts to mitigate the risks posed by orbital debris (2021) National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Available online: https://oig.nasa.gov/docs/IG-21-011.pdf
On the status of war veterans, guarantees of their social protection (1993) Law of Ukraine dated October 22, 1993, No 3551-XII. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine official website. Available online: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3551-12#Text
On electronic documents and electronic document management (2003) Law of Ukraine dated May 22, 2003, No 851-IV. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine official website. Available online: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/851-15#Text
Stelmakh, Olga (2016) The international legal security regime of the research and use of space for peaceful purposes. National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Institute of State and Law Named After V. M. Koretsky. Available online: http://idpnan.org.ua/files/stelmaho.s.-mijnarodno-pravoviy-rejim-bezpeki-doslidjennya-ta-vikoristannya-kosmichnogoprostoru-v-mirnih-tsilyah_.pdf
Status noun (2022) Merriam-webster. Available online: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status
Supreme Court of Arkansas (2004) Ronald A. May, Susan E. May, and Gayle Bradford v. Charlie Daniels, in his official capacity as Secretary of State of the State of Arkansas. 359 Ark. 100, 194 S.W.3d 771. Available online: https://casetext.com/case/may-vdaniels-1
Terms of Reference (2022) Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. Available online: https://www.iadc-home.org/terms_reference
Tereshchuk, Volodymyr (2020) Legal status of subjects of public administration. Ternopil National Economic University. Available online: http://dspace.wunu.edu.ua/bitstream/316497/38567/1/disertacja-tereschuk-v_-v_-na-sajt.pdf
The procedure for the creation and termination of legal entities according to the norms of the current legislation of Ukraine (2015) Methodological recommendations of the Starosynyavsky District Department of Justice. Justice of Khmelnytskyi. Available online: https://justice-km.gov.ua/uploads/files/stv%20i%20pryp%20yur%20os.doc
Tymchenko, L.D., and Kononenko, V.P. (2012) International Law. Knowledge.
Vytruk, N.V. (1993) The status of a person in the political system of society. Politologiya.
Weeden, Brian (2010) 2007 Chinese Anti-Satellite Test Fact Sheet. Swfound. Available online: https://swfound.org/media/9550/chinese_asat_fact_sheet_updated_2012.pdf
Welcome to the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (2022) Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. Available online: https://www.iadc-home.org/what_iadc