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The IUP Journal of Law Review

Strengthening the Legal Framework for Space Exploration

Article Details

Pub. Date	: Oct' 2022
Product Name	: The IUP Journal of Law Review
Product Type	: Article
Product Code	: IJLR041022
Author Name	: V Chaitanya Rao and V Vedika Rao
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Arts & Humanities
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 12

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Abstract

Since time immemorial, man has looked up at the stars with wonder and amazement. The ever-present questions surrounding this mystical realm have driven man to find ever more innovative ways to find relevant answers. In this quest, with the advancement of science and technology, humanity has taken giant leaps in space exploration. Here, the International Space Station is widely regarded as one of the greatest examples of international cooperation, though it has its roots in global conflicts. This was right after World War II, when tensions between the United States and then Soviet Union were high and the threat of nuclear war was an ominous possibility. However, the discovery of a new frontier for humankind was made when the Soviet Union, on October 4, 1957, launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, thus kicking off the space race. This had the effect of channelling a great deal of resources away from military preparation and towards research, and possibly saved the human race from another war. In this paper, we shall explore the opportunities that space holds for humankind, what threats it may bring, and how a balance between the two can be brought through well-designed laws and regulations.

Introduction

IThe legal framework around the use and exploration of space can be traced back to the 1950s. The 1960s were a time of great technological leaps and rapid development in the reach of humankind in outer space. The legal framework, at that time, had to adapt to the significant growth rate experienced in the reach of humanity into space. In the 2020s, humankind, once again, finds itself in a phase of rapid development and great ambition in the sphere of outer space exploration and use and has found itself at a point where the law must, once again, evolve and adjust for the ever-growing reach of humans in outer space.