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Stupid question, but what international treaties currently regulate private citizens and corporations when it comes to space? Like, who can claim which orbits?
by kitsune_ 5y ago
Stupid question, but what international treaties currently regulate private citizens and corporations when it comes to space? Like, who can claim which orbits? Is this just first come, first serve? What would happen if someone crashes Starlink satellites, for instance by putting projectiles on a collision course?
Edit, found an interesting link: https://www.spacelegalissues.com/orbital-slots-and-space-congestion/ https://www.spacelegalissues.com/orbital-slots-and-space-con...
> The geostationary orbit is part of outer space and, as such, the customary principle of non-appropriation and the 1967 Space Treaty apply to it. The equatorial countries have claimed sovereignty, then preferential rights over this space. These claims are contrary to the 1967 Treaty and customary law. However, they testify to the concern of the equatorial countries, shared by developing countries, in the face of saturation and seizure of geostationary positions by developed countries. The regime of res communis of outer space in Space Law (free access and non-appropriation) does not meet the demand of the developing countries that their possibilities of future access to the geostationary orbit and associated radio frequencies are guaranteed. New rules appear necessary and have been envisaged to ensure the access of all States to these positions and frequencies.
- mattr47 5y agoStarlink satellites are in LEO, not geostationary.
- sbierwagen 5y agoAlways fascinated by these useless, "shaking fist at sky" denunciations by small countries. What, exactly, is Zaire going to do about a satellite operator in GEO not paying a tax for their orbital slot? Start up a space program real quick to go move the satellite?
- y4mi 5y agoYou don't need a space program to destroy satellite It's not trivial, but it's still easier then a space program
- sbierwagen 5y agoThe highest satellite ever hit by an ASAT missile was FY-1C at 865km. GEO is 35,786km. Every nation ever to field ASAT missiles demonstrated orbital launch first.
- narag 5y agowhat about a laser?
- shagie 5y agoWe don't have any lasers that could have an on influence a satellite at 350km, much less one that could do anything at 35,000km. If you're suggesting a space based laser... we don't have any of those either, and it would be just as difficult (or easy) to launch a satellite that goes out to the orbit, latches on, and then dorbits it as it would be to move a satellite out to that location that would shine a laser on it. That would also still have the satellite in that position which is the issue. The issue is the size of the slot for geosynchronous orbit. They're 73km apart. https://www.spacelegalissues.com/orbital-slots-and-space-congestion/ https://www.spacelegalissues.com/orbital-slots-and-space-con... > Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) has long been recognised as prime, and scarce, real estate. Starting as a measure for spectrum management, the international community agreed in the 1960s to regulate the assignment of slots in the GEO belt through the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Today, any company or nation planning to launch a satellite to GEO must apply to the ITU for an orbital slot, and popular regions over North America, Europe, and eastern Asia have become so congested that few or no slots are left for new entrants to the market
- HWR_14 5y agoZaire could lease that space to China, make some money, and China would even remove the troublesome satellite for them!
- AniseAbyss 5y agoIn the cold war the US and USSR both wanted Zaire to declare their support. Also every country gets a vote in the UN.
- Melatonic 5y agoAs far as I know: Not enough
- peter303 5y agoThe Chinese complain Starlink sats come "too close" to their TianGong-3 Space Station. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/28/china-complains-to-un-after-space-station-is-forced-to-move-to-avoid-starlink-satellites https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/28/china-compla... Its not clear whether this was during deployment, or operating configuration.
- mlindner 5y agoThat was a bit of the pot calling the kettle black though as they get close approaches with space debris from their own ASAT test all the time.