space law / politics?

Question

hi everyone

i just did a course on space law and im studying for my exam, so if u have any questions regarding the politics please post some up, either here or outside it, so that firstly i can quiz myself and maybe i can help answer a few questions

although i see that most here are interested in the sciences, we're looking more towards satellites, star wars, space tourism etc

thnx thinker,

not really sure about sub-orbital/hypersonic aircraft,
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SpaceLaw/aero/index.html (its the first question that was asked!!) we didnt cover this in class, but its debatable and we dont know yet
http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/publications/STSPACE11E.pdf see for eg: the liability convention:
a) The term “launching State” means: ....
(b) The term “space object” includes component parts of a space object as
well as its launch vehicle and parts thereof

I'm more leaning towards aerospace law even though these objects do go over the customary legal line of 100-110 km up there.

2nd question:
http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/publications/STSPACE11E.pdf
Responsibility is a question of fact, and common sense, a court or investigative report can figure that out.

regarding liability; the liability convention applies (if u want it to) article III:

In the event of damage being caused elsewhere than on the surface of the Earth to a space object of one launching State or to persons or property on board such a space object by a space object of another launching State, the latter shall be liable only if the damage is due to its fault or the fault of persons for whom it is responsible.

a claims commission or a court will work out who is at fault and liability will be attributed on that basis. But note that at international law, politics can impede compensation especially if the countries are at war. the convention has never been invoked by any State. most cases are resolved informally. victims can get their country represent them or do it in court. sorry 200 words

i dont think aliens found on jupiter will make it an enemy planet. first off, what is an enemy? next, what is an alien? also international law, deals with how states deal with each other. suppose we have a law saying that we own jupiter, the aliens there will not recognise it, just as if a law in the US said u owned us (aussies) it would be struck down.

with the international space station/ moon stations, and jurisdiction- i havent come to that yet, still studying!! they had memorandums of understandings regarding this, ill get back to u

Answer 1

Is it true that if life is discovered on Jupiter, that it will be deemed an enemy planet? Also if I were on the moon and I murdered someone on an international crew would I be prosecuted under US jurisdiction, that person's countries jurisdiction, or under moon law. And if it's US law, would it be Florida law(where the launch was from), or TX law where mission control is? Would I have to be extradited?

Answer 2

For future suborbital flights, eg London to Sydney taking only 3 hours, do aviation laws apply or space laws?

Material eject from a spacecraft that is identifiable and hits another space vehicle, who is responsible?

Answer 3

What an interesting question. I wish you lots of success in your business.

Answer 4

Thanks for the generous offer.