Apprehensions with Regard to Commercial Space Flight: Outlook on Space Law

Abstract

The advent of “space tourism” has induced outer space law to respond and adapt to this dramatic growth because of the principled contribution of private entities in these activities. This article discusses the main legal aspects of licensing, supervision, liability, registration, and health side effects, and how these reveal the influence of space tourism. Because of the moral participation of private individuals in these activities, “space tourism” demands that outer space law be modified and adaptable. Although many issues of ship, crew, and passenger certification have not been defined in international law, these would be evaluated to show that domestic legislative interests may drive the law before it reaches international law. Air and adventure tourism laws are also evaluated. Space are not likely to remain limited to professionally trained individuals and wealthy astronauts. The potential for public access to space raises complex legal, health-related, and ethical questions on the inadequacy of the current international legal instruments addressing the utilization and exploration of outer space. Furthermore, this study is designed to evaluate the role of human presence in spaceflights, accidents that occurred to participants of space missions, and other risks spaceflights may induce on humans. In addition, this study focuses on analyzing existing legal regulations related to astronauts’ health and life protection during spaceflight and how states can address emerging challenges to astronauts’ safety. The existing global legal framework regulating aviation and space operations is unsuitable for the widespread commercial entry into space. This is because it was designed when drafters did not envisage such endeavors to this extent. The insufficient legal clarity should be addressed rapidly to set applicable standards to promote such activities. To conclude, this article compares national space regulations and elaborates on the drawbacks of the current international space regulations.

Keywords

• space tourism
• risk to space flights
• consequences of space environment on human health