We know that human civilization has various types of property and resources. All of them are ordered, and changes in themselves or in their legal status are subject to certain rules. But if we are talking about something that is not on planet Earth? What laws come into force here and how do they differ from the earth? Is it possible for a private person to purchase a spaceship, a site on another planet, or even an entire star? Details and definitions you will learn from this article.
What is a space object
If you look at the night sky with a telescope or simply with the naked eye, you can see many celestial bodies. Stars, nebulae, planets with their satellites, comets, asteroids, etc. - all this is formed and continues to form in a natural way. There are also objects that were created by man and launched into space for scientific purposes. These are space stations, ships, installations, shuttles, satellites, probes, rockets and other equipment.
All these natural and artificial celestial bodies are in space outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, the concept of “space object” can be applied to each of them. And all questions concerning their research are regulated by international law.
Space infrastructure
In this case, infrastructure means a complex of interconnected objects that ensure the effective functioning of the space research system.
As follows from the law of the Russian Federation “On space activities”, the objects of space ground-based infrastructure are many structures and devices that perform various functions.
Among them are those that are used in the preparatory phase:
- space technology storage bases;
- specialized vehicles, materials, components, finished products, etc.;
- equipped cosmonaut training centers;
- experimental facilities for testing launch, flight, landing and other tasks.
Other objects of space infrastructure are becoming necessary for the direct process of organizing flights:
- cosmodromes;
- launchers, launch complexes and auxiliary equipment;
- Landing ranges and runways for space objects;
- flight control centers;
- fall areas of separating parts of space objects.
Separately allocated objects that are used to collect, save and analyze important information:
- points of reception, storage and processing of flight information;
- command and measurement systems.
Space law
There are a number of international and national codes of practice governing the use of space. These include:
- Outer Space Treaty (1967).
- Agreement on the salvation of astronauts and the return of objects (their parts) launched into outer space (1968).
- Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972).
- Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (1975).
Who owns the apparatus and celestial bodies?
In addition to international space laws, most states have adopted their own. State registration of space objects in our country is carried out in the manner determined by the government of the Russian Federation. For these purposes, there is a Unified State Register, in which all information on ownership rights for various devices and their parts is entered. The registry contains information about both launched into space, and about not used equipment.
From the point of view of the law, a cosmic object is everything that exists outside the atmosphere of our planet, and everything that was launched from Earth into interstellar space. Natural objects (planets, asteroids, etc.) legally belong to all of humanity, and man-made (satellites, aircraft) are the property of one or another power. Moreover, the responsibility for how a particular space object is used lies with the state that owns it.
Who is the master of space?
Beyond the limit of 110 km above sea level, a zone begins, which is considered outer space and no longer belongs to any state on the planet. Legislatively established that each country has an equal right to participate in the study of this space.
But controversial situations arise when a particular space object during takeoff (landing) is forced to pass through the airspace of another state. In this regard, there are rules. For example, the law “On Space Activities” is in force in Russia, on the basis of which a foreign spacecraft is allowed to fly once through the airspace of the Russian Federation, if state authorities have been warned about this in advance.
Spacecraft along with sea ships and airplanes can be sold or bought by individuals and legal entities. At the same time, being inscribed in the register of the country, the device may be owned by a foreign state, company or private person.
Is it possible to give a name to a celestial body?
The universe has a huge number of stars, and only a small percentage of them have names. Therefore, it does not surprise the appearance of such a service: for a fee, you can give the nameless celestial body any name you like and get a confirmation certificate.
But those who want to spend their money on such things should be aware that nothing in this procedure has legal force. Indeed, in fact, it is being dealt with by the International Astronomical Union, a non-governmental scientific association whose tasks include fixing the boundaries of all known constellations and registering space objects. Only the catalog formed by this organization can be called official and real.
Of course, there are others: for example, the star catalog of the city observatory, as well as any other organization or individual. You can enter new names of stars or asteroids there, but to charge money for it is a form of fraud. Only the international scientific community can change the names of space objects.
Can I buy a plot on another planet?
For example, on the Moon, Mars, or somewhere else in our solar system? Currently, there are even firms with representative offices around the world, offering for a round sum to purchase such an original property.
But this is a fiction, because such a transaction is invalid from a legal point of view. After all, the legal status of space objects is such that they belong to the entire population of the Earth, but at the same time not one of the countries separately. And sales contracts can be concluded only on the basis of state law. So, there is no law - there is no way to acquire a piece of another planet besides the Earth.
What are the rights and obligations of the astronauts?
On a spaceship (station, etc.), the laws of the state to which this device is assigned apply.
All space explorations are conducted on the basis of international cooperation and mutual assistance.
Cosmonauts (astronauts), being outside the Earth, are obliged to render each other all possible assistance.
If the spacecraft crashed or made an emergency landing on the territory of another country, then the local authorities are obliged to help the crew together with the launching party. Then, as soon as possible, transfer the astronauts along with the ship to the territory of that state in whose registry it is located. The same applies to individual parts of the aircraft — they must be returned to the launching party. She takes on the costs of the search.
The moon is used by all countries for peaceful research purposes only. The deployment of military bases and any militaristic events (exercises, tests) on the Earth’s satellite are strictly prohibited.
