Singapore’s International Obligations under the United Nations Space TreatiesRicky J. LeeSchweizer Kobras, Australia
NUS Centre for International Law SeminarWednesday, 22 September 2010National University of Singapore
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Overview
• Singapore is becoming an increasingly active participant in the global space industry
Remote sensing
Weather forecasting
Communications
Direct television broadcasting
Ground control of satellites
• Plans to engage in suborbital space tourism through the Spaceport Singapore proposal
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
United Nations Space Treaties
• Between 1967 and 1979, five multilateral treaties were negotiated within the United Nations framework and adopted by the General Assembly
1967 Outer Space Treaty
1968 Rescue Agreement
1972 Liability Convention
1976 Registration Convention
1979 Moon Agreement
• Singapore has ratified the first 3 and signed the 4th
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Relevant General Principles
• Compliance with international law
• Freedom for exploration, use and science
• No sovereignty or territorial claims
• Rescue of “astronauts” as “envoys of all mankind” and return of recovered space objects
• International responsibility and liability
• Jurisdiction and control over space objects
• International cooperation
• No military use of celestial bodies and no WMDs
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
What can go wrong …
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Launching Satellites
• Liability Convention
Concept of “launching state”
Absolute liability on Earth
Fault liability in space
• International responsibility
• Registration
Identification (for the Rescue Agreement)
Jurisdiction and control
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Operating Satellites
• International coordination
Use of geostationary orbit
Use of specific radio frequencies
• International responsibility and liability
Liability Convention does not apply
Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty
• Harmful interference
Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty
Article 44 of the ITU Constitution and Convention
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Space Tourism
• Additional issues arise in relation to suborbital space tourism that are not addressed or only partly addressed by the space treaties
Licensing
Spacecraft certification
Passenger liability (no or limited insurance)
Potential third party liability for passengers
Airspace coordination (with foreign countries)
Space traffic management
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Need for Legislation
• Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty
Concept of “appropriate state”
Duty to “authorise and continually supervise”
• Liability
Articles II and III of the Liability Convention
Article VII of the Outer Space Treaty
Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty
• Registration Convention
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Model Countries
• Authorisation model
Brazil, Norway and Sweden
• Licensing model
Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, South Africa and United Kingdom
• Policy model
Russia and Ukraine
• Regulatory model
Australia and the United States
Ricky J. Lee | Schweizer KobrasWednesday, 22 September 2010 | Singapore
Regulatory Issues
• Licensing
• Third party liability
Domestic and international liability
Compulsory liability insurance coverage
• Bilateral / multilateral recognition of regulatory requirements and risk hazard certifications
• Register of space objects
• Flight safety and risk hazard assessments
• Passenger safety and liability
Thank You!
