The Astronaut’s Legal Status

by Yuri Baturin^1
1 Russian Academy of Sciences, Pilot-cosmonaut of Russia, Chief researcher, S.I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology of RAS (Moscow, Russia)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/2020/5/1
Received: March 01, 2020 / Accepted: April 07, 20200 / Published: May 1, 2020

The article proposes to define the concept of “astronaut” through the four elements — specialty “astronaut,” astronaut’s qualification, profession “astronaut” and “astronaut” as the occupation. In this case, it is possible to define the concept of “astronaut” through the labor function of the astronaut. The legal status of an astronaut is considered as a generalization of practical activities in the field of manned astronautics. On the basis of spaceflights experience, additional rules concerning the rights and duties of the astronauts are proposed. A significant list of problems of the astronaut’s legal status, which are still pending, is given. It is also proposed to introduce an international component into the astronaut’s legal status, and not only to use the full range of rights and privileges of astronauts, which are provided for by international law, but also to empower the cosmonaut with the authority of a state representative at a foreign or international manned space object.

Keywords: astronaut, astronaut’s labor function, professional activities of an astronaut, astronaut’s rights and obligations, astronaut’s legal status, contract for undertaking of a space mission, space law.

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Baturin, Yuri (2020) The Astronaut’s Legal Status. Advanced Space Law, Volume 5, 4-13. https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/2020/5/1