Emerging Legal Issues in Sub-Orbital Flight and Colonization under International Air and Space Law

Abstract

Space exploration activities constitute an important part of International Air and Space Law. Space Law, which governs matters in outer space beyond the Earth's atmosphere, is a rather new area of law and is to a very large extent connected to Air Law. Not only have we witnessed a tremendous increase in air travel recently, human activities in space has also skyrocketed. Sub-orbital flight and colonization (also known as space tourism) is one of such developments in space activities today and is not without legal implications. This article seeks to x-ray and situates some of these legal issues emerging out of contemporary space exploration activities against the overarching framework of the UN Space Treaties.

Keywords

• international law; space tourism; commercialization