Essay On Space Race

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When one thinks about the space race one’s mind automatically envisions connotations of the cold war; the Soviet Union battling against the USA for technological supremacy in spaceflight capabilities. This was not only a strategic race for national defence reasons but was also seen to be a pivotal stand point of national superiority. This is also the main basis of the majority of space law still in force today. But the reality is there is a space race occurring right now in the present day, not for national supremacy but instead for commercial supremacy no longer is there a search for strategic advantage it is now a race for profit gain.
Along with a brand new space race comes a whole new need for legal protection and guidance. With each new commercial player comes new issues. There are of course many different aspects of this new space race ranging from space tourism to telecommunications systems to outer space habitats companies; this essay will focus on some of the major players in this race and the legal issues surrounding their visions.
Firstly then what has become the most recognisable name in this race and the company which has made the idea of a new space race a mainstream media event , Virgin Galactic. Galactic is Richard Branson’s newest venture and aims to provide a tourism experience in space. As previously stated the vast majority of legislation in this area was created in a time where the idea of space travel from a commercial viewpoint wasn’t even a conceivable thought. Therefore under UK law there is no definition of what would constitute a space tourist. However the American piece of legislation known as the Space Launch Amendments Act (CSLAA) 2004 does offer one; Section 2(b)(9) defines a space tourist or ‘spa...

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...is goes as far to include parts of an original object including paint. The more objects in space then the higher the risk of impacts. This is not to say the only danger is in space damage can occur when space debris falls to earth. Liability for such actions is clearly set out in the liability convention: Article 2 expresses liability to damage to a launching states territory “A launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space object” ; Article 3 gives action to damage occurring in space “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.”

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