Legal Regime of On-orbit Interactions of Spacecraft from Different Jurisdictions -

Article

Open Access

by Yevgen Rokytsky¹
¹ Science and Space LLC (Kyiv, Ukraine)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/9/6
Received: 12 April 2022 / Accepted: 14 May 2022 / Published: 10 June 2022

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Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the legal mechanisms of managing the orbital interactions of spacecraft that are pivotal for the development of space (orbital) systems. Scientific-theoretical research methods: abstraction, idealization, construction of hypotheses and models, documentary analysis and synthesis, objective truth, cognitive-analytical, etc. Results: the origin and contemporary genesis of constituent elements of the legal mechanisms of the management of orbital interactions of spacecraft and the problems of adapting these mechanisms to the trends of the “new space,” are analyzed. The scientific aim is to contribute to the development of an adequate and integrated legal regime of the management of space systems and to improve the effectiveness of its institutional framework. Discussion: the evolution of the legal framework of international orbital interactions is analyzed on the background of the contemporary international space activities. The management of space systems needs comprehensive legal regulation and its harmonization with the respective regime of the leading space-faring nations. The inconsistency of international law with the practice of on-orbit interactions of spacecraft under the jurisdiction of different states, creates a risk of international conflict. The article formulates recommendations for improving the legal regime of orbital interactions arising from servicing spacecraft and de-orbiting them, in particular the licensing of such activities, their supervision, and the formation of institutional mechanisms for space systems management.

Keywords: on-orbit servicing, on-orbit interactions, space system, rescue mode, spacecraft, space object, launching state, space-faring state, legal regulation, International Space Station, international space law, national space law.

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Rokytsky, Yevgen (2022) Legal Regime of On-orbit Interactions of Spacecraft from Different Jurisdictions. Advanced Space Law, Volume 9, 58-65. https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/9/6

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