SPACE LAW 23/02
Is there a definition of outer space? There is no real definition. The Karman line is around 100
km above sea level. This is a technical definition of outer space, but legally we don’t know
where it starts. In 1966 it was decided to discuss every year the definition and in 1972 the
delimitation of outer space. As of right now there’s still no real definition and there’s no
interest in doing so as Italy for example says there’s no problem in conducting space
activities without a real definition. There are two perspectives, functional and spatial:
• Functional: we know when to apply space law
• Spatial: it’s important to draw a legal line between aerial law and space law (Australia,
Denmark and Kazakhstan already draw a line to define where their jurisdiction ends,
but it’s not something to be applied in international law)
The second point of view values the fact that what falls in aerial law is a matter of sovereignty
between the states. Aerial law determines that a state doesn’t extend only horizontally, but
vertically too. Suborbital flights don’t surpass the 100 km line, so, if there is a limitation,
these flights fall under the country's jurisdiction. If we want to draw a line, there could be
some problems in the future because we don’t know how space activities could evolve.
Amending treaties is a very difficult matter.
SPACE LAW 24/02
SPACE ECONOMY AND POLICY
During the cold war there was limited economic perception of space and there was more of
a scientific domain. During the 80’s the private sector started to have interests, the focus
was on launching services and technological spinoffs.
In terms of political and international relations, the competition was between the
superpowers USA and URSS. Space as foreign policy tool: the space race. Three main
reasons for the space race: defense from nuclear warheads, superiority in technical
advancements and having a major political presence. The first space policy of the USA:
human exploration and political power in this competition there is a third actor, the UN.
When it was born there was a huge debate about its function. USA and URSS used it to start
a cooperation, but not until 1975. Italy is the third nation to launch an object in outer space,
from a base built in Virginia, the program was led by a Sapienza engineering professor.
The main organ in the UN is the general assembly because every state participates in it and
it has no real limitation; the general assembly can deal with any type of matter. Through the
UN the two superpowers found a common interest: avoiding conflicts. The value of the
resolution adopted by the general assembly, generally not binding unless it’s about budget,
