Urgency For Regulation In Space Law

Aaftaab Dhabhar, St. Joseph’s College of Law, Bangalore

ABSTRACT

Space law refers to the set of international regulations governing the use and exploration of outer space. It has its roots in the post-World War II era and the beginning of the Cold War, as well as the development of nuclear weapons and the realization that outer space could be used as a potential medium for weapons and missile use. The most widely used treaty in space law is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which emphasizes cooperation and peaceful use of outer space and holds nations accountable for any missions they undertake. Subsequent treaties, such as the Rescue Agreement of 1967 and the Liability Convention of 1972, have established guidelines for rescuing and assisting space personnel, as well as defining the responsibilities of nations for damages caused by their space missions. Other agreements, such as the Moon Agreement of 1979, have addressed the issue of resource exploitation and the regulation of satellites, respectively. These treaties and agreements serve to foster cooperation and responsible behavior among nations in the use of outer space. Despite these regulations, the rapid growth of science and technology, as well as increasing commercial space endeavors, have created new challenges for the field of space law, highlighting the need for continued updates and changes to international agreements.