National Response to Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Activities: A Study in Philosophy in Law

Abstract

Despite the emergence of a critical need for national assistance, the construction of a legal framework controlling the moon and other celestial bodies began at the international level and mostly stayed there. The five international space treaties provide guidelines for carrying out operations on the moon and other celestial bodies; however, in light of recent advancements in the exploration and utilisation of the moon and other celestial bodies, they are judged to be inadequate. Due to the disputes between the nations, the Moon Agreement of 1979 put an end to the steady development of international space law. Since then, discussions have been taking place to evolve the space law further. The UNCOPUOS is working to enhance the current space treaties and encourage the creation of national space laws, even though it does not support the approval of new space treaties. The international space treaties also impose, if indirectly, on the nations the duty to establish national space law by allowing for such laws. In order to regulate activity on the moon and other celestial bodies, this book examines the need placed on the states to establish national law. The efforts undertaken by spacefaring countries including the US, Russia, Australia, and the United Kingdom are emphasised in this book, despite the fact that there hasn't been much progress in the area of national law controlling operations on the moon and other celestial bodies.