The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (Feb 2020)
RESEARCH ON THE POLICIES AND LAWS OF INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES AND THEIR PROBLEMS
Abstract
In the exploration of outer space and international space activities, civilian remote sensing satellites have made rapid development since the 1970s, and countries around the world have accelerated their civilian satellite development and its policy formulation as well. Regarding the regulations on the peaceful use of outer space and related space launches, the United Nations respectively formulated the "Five Treaties on Space" in the 1960s and 1970s to regulate the peaceful uses of outer space. However, in the development of civilian remote sensing satellites, orbital resources and application rules of remote sensing data, the implementation of "first-come, first-occupy" and "non-discriminatory access to remote sensing data" is mainly led by western developed countries, especially the space powers such as the United States and Russia. Based on the outer space policies and regulations, this article will make a comparative study of civilian remote sensing satellite development policies and related laws and regulations in major countries and regions in the world, so as to analyze the policies and legal principles of civilian remote sensing satellites, as well as its corresponding issues and problems.