'Space law': A practitioner's perspective

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

Outer space has long been a domain that has inspired humanity to reach new heights of technological and scientific development. While the majority of the public’s focus has been on the technology and accomplishments of tens of thousands of scientists, engineers, mechanics, designers and others involved in the execution of precarious space missions to the Moon and deep space, the efforts of lawyers, diplomats, politicians and academics at the dawn of the space age should not be overlooked. These individuals worked to navigate complex ideological and geopolitical tensions to negotiate five treaties to govern the outer space domain, the leading of which is the 1967 'Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies' – an instrument more commonly known as the 'Outer Space Treaty'. With this first treaty, the international community effectively agreed that outer space was not a lawless domain and that international law would apply to space activities. The remainder of this article will consider what should be understood by the term ‘space law’ in the Australian legal services context and the key areas for legal practitioners looking to participate in the rapidly growing space sector.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)62-67
Number of pages6
JournalAustralian Law Librarian
Volume32
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Keywords

  • International law
  • Space law
  • Treaties

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