Cheongshim International Academy Model United Nations 2015 Chair Report General Assembly Junior Exploration of Space and the Division of Space Territory
Committee: General Assembly Jr. Agenda: Exploration of Space and the Division of Space Territory Chair: KJ Kim, Benjamin Yu 1. Introduction Ever since the beginning of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1955, there has been an ongoing debate concerning international and national laws that would be implemented in Space. While the debate has been mostly theoretical, given that most nations lacked the capacity or the intent to explore Space, recent increases in technology indicate that agreements must be made in the near future. So-called rogue nations such as North Korea has shown interest in exploring space, and now even private companies are developing plans to make use of Space. In the upcoming years, agreements, laws, and even common sense will be severely tested with the development and implementation of newer technology. Currently established agreements, including resolutions passed by the United Nations, must be re-examined and supplemented to assure that space exploration can develop with minimum disagreement and conflict. It is the United Nations interest to develop agreements beneficiary to all parties involved, avoiding scenarios of space conflict as elaborated in science fiction (such as Star Wars). 2. Definition of Key Terms Outer Space Given that there is no strict boundary dividing between atmosphere and space as the thickness of atmosphere decreases as the height increases (Jenkins), there cannot be a clearly defined height at which outer space beings. Several definition have been proposed; some examples are: 1. The Kármán line, which sets 100 km as the altitude boundary; proposed by Theodore Von Karman and currently accepted by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale [FAI]. 2. The definition of international law, as the lowest perigee attainable by an orbiting space vehicle. 2.1. The US Army Space Institute has analyzed this to be between a 129 km and 150 km altitude. million km (21,000,000 km). 3. The proposal by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence [SETI] institute which places the height as the point in space in which Earth s gravity is no longer dominant, about 21 With this in consideration, the term outer space will loosely be any area beyond Kármán line, which is not distinguished too much from the second definition. This definition may be challenged during session.
Space Law In general, space law refers to all the law that may govern or apply to outer space and activities in and relating to outer space. This technically includes domestic laws which have sections that could be applied to activities in space, with the usage of space as defined above. However, in this report, space law will refer to agreements and laws which has been made exclusively with the intention of being applied to areas in outer space. Common Heritage of Mankind Also known as the Common Heritage of Humanity. The principle that some parts of Earth and Space are common property to all of humankind. This principle applies to some parts of Antarctica and the sea bed, and all of outer space. The principle states that the aforementioned areas: cannot legally belong to anyone; be appropriated for everyone; must be shared; have no weaponry installment; preserved for later generations. This principle has been currently established in existing space law. 3. Background Information The beginning of modern space exploration began in the 1940s with the development of Vergeltungswaffe-2 (V-2) missiles by Nazi Germany (Edwards). The V-2 was the first rocket which had adequate specifications to allow it to enter space. However, the project for the rocket ended with the surrender of Nazi Germany. The team of scientists working on the V-2 was divided among the allied countries, with the leader and most of his colleagues going to the United States. The first adequately funded and technologically supported attempt to launch an object into space was at the beginning of the Space Race between the United States and Russia. The Race began in 1955, with the United States announcing that it would launch a scientific satellite, and the Soviet Union announcing the same immediately. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I, the first satellite in space. Both countries continually escalated the race, with Sputnik II (USSR, 1957), Explorer I (US, 1958), Luna I (USSR, 1959), Yuri Gagarin (1961), ending with the moon landing (US, 1969). UN s active interest in space concurred with the beginning of the Space Race, in the 1950s. Having recognized that agreements and guidelines are necessary for the exploration of Space, the UN began having discussions at a relatively early having discussions concerning space (Wyk 1). In 1958, the GA established the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs [UNOOSA]. From 1967 to 1979, the UN passed legal principles, treaties, and structures. In 1967, the socalled Outer Space Treaty was ratified by major countries. Correspondingly, four international agreements were ratified: Rescue Agreement (1968), Liability Convention (1972), Registration Convention (1975) and Moon Agreement (1979). Five declarations and legal principles were also established: Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space (1963), Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct
Television Broadcasting (1982), Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space (1986), Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (1992), Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries (1996) The first group of communication satellites, Telstar, were sent in the 1960s. Syncom 3, the first geostationary satellite, was launched in 1964 to be used for the United States Department of Defense, but included a transmission of the Olympics. The organization for the management of communication satellites, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT), was created in 1964. During the decade, NASA also launched Television Infrared Observation Satellite Program [TIROS] to develop a meteorological satellite information system. The first commercial space venture began at the end of 1990s with MirCorp. In 2000, the International Space Station (ISS) was completed and crews were sent to maintain the station. In 2001, Space Adventures Ltd. has sent passengers to space, being the first of its kind. NASA is currently developing a mission to capture an asteroid, which raises questions concerning property gained in space and other international issues. 4. Major Countries and Organizations Involved National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] NASA was established in 1958, partially as a reaction to Sputnik I. During the 1960s, the organization focused on sending a man to the moon, which was accomplished in 1968. NASA developed satellites for weather and communication, and continued scientific research; e.g. through space shuttles. The recent Mars Rover Curiosity was created and maintained by NASA. United States of America (USA) As a former participant in the Space Race, America is still a contender for the development of technology in space. The country is one of the original creators and the contemporary joint participant country for the ISS. NASA is a branch of the US government. Companies with American origins are also attempting to use Space as an area of venture. Russian Federation (Russia) As a former participant in the Space Race, Russia is still a contender for the development of technology in space. The country is one of the original creators and the contemporary joint participant country for the ISS. Russia is currently operating the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). People s Republic of China (China) China is another country that is important in space development. Although it was not impactful during the 20 th centuy, China has successfully completed a manned spaceflight program. China maintains the China National Space Administration.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs [UNOOSA] The office within United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Acts as the secretariat for the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPOUS), which in turn is a part of the General Assembly. 5. Timeline of Key Events October 1942 The first test flight for V2 is successful, the start of the Space Age July 29, 1955 U.S. President Eisenhower announces that US will start building a scientific satellite; the beginning of the Space Race October 4, 1957 USSR sends Sputnik I, the first satellite, into orbit October 1, 1958 NASA is effectively established December 13, 1958 General Assembly establishes the UNOOSA October 10, 1967 The Outer Space Treaty is ratified, the first in a long line of treaties July 21, 1969 Armstrong steps on the Moon; the effective end of the Space Race December 13, 1996 The Declaration on International Cooperation is passed as the last major international agreement since the Outer Space Treaty 2001 Space Adventures Ltd. send first customers to space 6. Relevant UN Treaties, Resolutions and Events Resolution 1348 (XIII): The establishment of UNOOSA Resolution 2222 (XXI): Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Resolution 2345 (XXII): Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space Resolution 2777 (XXVI): Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects Resolution 3235 (XXIX): Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space Resolution 34/68: Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries
7. Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue Given that there is no explicit problem concerning space, there has not been a particular resolution or international agreement that could be considered the solution to this topic. The previous resolutions and international agreements have been created in the 20 th century with the notion that outer space would be considered a national-level issue in that only the governments would have the resources to take actions in space. It is unknown whether private companies and organizations, or even government departments, would have to conform to the agreements. 8. Possible Solutions A solution is to make the agreements conform to the existing agreements, either by forcing the companies to follow the existing laws and guidelines, or limiting the exploration of space so that only the government will be able to explore it. A more realistic solution is to create new policies and guidelines based on the existing ones concerning the actions of private companies in space, but this has the concern that companies are under no international obligation to follow national-level agreements, unless bounded by national law. There can also be creative solutions offered, such as incorporating the private companies into one entity and treating it like a state in making and following agreements.
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