About Commercial Spaceflight Operations

The 1970 Moon Treaty, the Outer Space Treaty, and the Agreement on the Rescue of the Astronauts are among the international agreements governing the study and use of space and space objects.

The Outer Space Treaty, which was passed by a group of 100 nations, is recognized as the first treaty. It contains a wealth of principles that serve as the foundation and philosophy for space-related endeavors. For instance, it provides an obligation to venture and explore space in harmonious manners and to the advantage of the human race (cryptome.org). Secondly, there is the 1968 Treaty on the Rescue of Astronauts which postulates that astronauts are indeed the envoys of human race hence they deserve to be honored and helped in every way (FAA, 2006).

Approved in 1973, the agreement of the Convention on International Liability regarding the harm caused by space objects outlines liabilities, as well as obligations of spacefarers and as well, explains the process to enforce these requirements (unoosa.org ). Finally, there is the 1979 Moon Treaty which dictates the global regime which is supposed to be created in future to normalize space resources accordingly and asserts the universal heritage of humanity (unoosa.org).

Analyze how such one treaty applies to specific current or proposed future commercial activities in space. Evaluate whether the treaty and its principles provide adequate guidance to proponents of that commercial activity as to how their activities must be conducted unduly restrict the scope or nature of that that commercial activity.

islandone.org explains that with regards to the Moon treaty, visiting the moon and operating in space which is often the logical procedure ahead of the space station, will create a lasting human presence on the moon and space. Science, engineering as well as manufacturing and mining will engross the astronauts in the defrayal process of the solar system. Thus, these astronauts will be in need of legal, social and political outline to organize their lives as well as associations. International treaties and local special laws are just the starts of anticipated structures; hence conflict resolution coupled with simple experience will serve to be the most necessary elements that are established over time to manage a new regime of space. The treaty thus gives sufficient and informative guides to the proposers of such on how to operate in space while at the same time keeping its natural purity.

References

cryptome.org. (n.d.). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved from cryptome.org: http://cryptome.org/faa121506.htm

FAA. (2006). Human Space Flight Requirements for Crew and Space Flight Participants. Retrieved from www.spaceref.com: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=22786

islandone.org. (n.d.). AGREEMENT ON THE RESCUE OF ASTRONAUTS, THE RETURN OF ASTRONAUTS AND THE RETURN OF OBJECTS LAUNCHED INTO OUTER SPACE. Retrieved from www.islandone.org: http://www.islandone.org/Treaties/BH523.html

islandone.org. (n.d.). International Space Treaties. Retrieved from www.islandone.org: http://www.islandone.org/Treaties/

islandone.org. (n.d.). TREATY BANNING NUCLEAR WEAPON TESTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE, IN OUTER SPACE AND UNDER WATER. Retrieved from www.islandone.org: http://www.islandone.org/Treaties/BH454.html

unoosa.org. (n.d.). Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Retrieved from www.unoosa.org: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html