Start Date

13-11-2015 8:30 AM

Abstract

Collaboration in space traffic management efforts is critical to the successful continued use of the outer space environment, and exploration and utilization of space assets will depend upon structured legal guidance. While STM is notionally evolving at the international level, appropriate attention must also be given to national strategies. This paper will elucidate that extant space traffic management methodologies are developing along two disparate tracks. These pathways, which here are termed the international-collaborative and sectarian methods, are reflective of the needs of the international community and intrastate interests respectively. The paper will attempt to show that in the near-term, these two methodologies will co-exist as they are developed and begin to mature; moreover, in the near to mid-term, the sectarian method will develop more rapidly in order to accommodate pressing national needs. Furthermore, the paper will demonstrate that as national dependency on space assets continues to grow, pressure will encourage proportional international dialogue on best methods going forward. Though this paper does not attempt to define the precise parameters of truly collaborative international STM, it does suggest that the history of space governance is filled with the cooperative efforts of nations working to resolve pressing international concerns (such as past and ongoing work with the International Space Station), and that the STM systems of the future will utilize these legal precedents in their collaborative efforts. Necessarily, the STM systems of the future will include intrastate regulatory schemes designed to effectively service national needs whilst simultaneously respecting developing international standards.

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Nov 13th, 8:30 AM

The Divergent and Evolving Legal Pathways of Future Space Traffic Management Collaboration

Collaboration in space traffic management efforts is critical to the successful continued use of the outer space environment, and exploration and utilization of space assets will depend upon structured legal guidance. While STM is notionally evolving at the international level, appropriate attention must also be given to national strategies. This paper will elucidate that extant space traffic management methodologies are developing along two disparate tracks. These pathways, which here are termed the international-collaborative and sectarian methods, are reflective of the needs of the international community and intrastate interests respectively. The paper will attempt to show that in the near-term, these two methodologies will co-exist as they are developed and begin to mature; moreover, in the near to mid-term, the sectarian method will develop more rapidly in order to accommodate pressing national needs. Furthermore, the paper will demonstrate that as national dependency on space assets continues to grow, pressure will encourage proportional international dialogue on best methods going forward. Though this paper does not attempt to define the precise parameters of truly collaborative international STM, it does suggest that the history of space governance is filled with the cooperative efforts of nations working to resolve pressing international concerns (such as past and ongoing work with the International Space Station), and that the STM systems of the future will utilize these legal precedents in their collaborative efforts. Necessarily, the STM systems of the future will include intrastate regulatory schemes designed to effectively service national needs whilst simultaneously respecting developing international standards.