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Proceedings of the Workshop - United Nations Office for Outer ...

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26 EXISTING UNITED NATIONS TREATIES: STRENGTHS AND NEEDSprudent to organise a separate regulatory system <strong>for</strong>each orbital region? How would <strong>the</strong>ir interrelationshipsbe handled? This problem requires <strong>the</strong> cooperation <strong>of</strong>scientists, engineers and lawyers to plan <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> future.A <strong>Workshop</strong> could be organised by <strong>the</strong> Scientific andLegal Liaison Committee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> International Institute<strong>of</strong> Space Law and <strong>the</strong> International Academy <strong>of</strong>Astronautics to study tho problem. The Scientific andTechnical Subcommittee and Legal Subcommittee <strong>of</strong>COPUOS could also undertake <strong>the</strong> study as a SpecialProject.One aspect <strong>of</strong> this problem could be dealt with by<strong>the</strong> following proposal:Proposal <strong>for</strong> an InternationalRegulatory Framework <strong>for</strong>Air/Space TrafficIncreased launchings <strong>of</strong> satellites, particularly in lowearth orbit, will necessitate a regulatory framework thatis more comprehensive and coordinated than existingpractices. The need <strong>for</strong> monitoring should not beallowed to drift into patterns <strong>of</strong> activity with unintendedconsequences. Now is <strong>the</strong> time <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> effectiveestablishment and operation <strong>of</strong> standards andrecommended practices to ensure a safe, orderly andpeaceful space environment <strong>for</strong> expanding spaceactivities. One approach is <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> extending<strong>the</strong> Jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> International Civil AviationOrganization (ICAO) to include relevant components <strong>of</strong>space traffic management. This proposal <strong>for</strong> anaerospace inquiry is timely because ICAO's 180Member States have endorsed and are “implementing<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a satellite-based system concept tomeet future communications, navigation,surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) needs<strong>of</strong> civil aviation.” ICAO defines <strong>the</strong> teak as “essentially<strong>the</strong> application <strong>of</strong> high technologies in satellites andcomputers, data links and advanced flight deck avonics,to cope with tomorrow’s growing operational needs.”(ICAO's Aims, Standardization CNS/ATM RegionalPlanning Facilitation, Economics, TechnicalCo-operation <strong>for</strong> Development and Law. ICAO,Montreal Canada.)A commission should be created to survey existingorganizations and procedures <strong>for</strong> regulating civilaviation and space subjects, estimate <strong>the</strong> probablefuture expansion <strong>of</strong>those activities, identify and analyseoptions <strong>for</strong> an international system that can assure safe,efficient and peaceful services. It is necessary tocompile in<strong>for</strong>mation on current monitoring practices,<strong>the</strong> status <strong>of</strong> national space registries andtreaty-required reports in <strong>the</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>Nations</strong>. Acomparative study <strong>of</strong> directing planes and space objectsshould reveal civil aviation practices that could beapplicable to satellites. A roster is needed <strong>of</strong> expertswho can <strong>for</strong>mulate international standards andrecommended practices while avoiding unnecessaryrestrictions. ICAO's success with managing civilaviation should be studied to determine whe<strong>the</strong>r thoreare organizational and management practices that areapplicable to space traffic and <strong>for</strong>eseeable aerospacetraffic. Is it feasible to incorporate some spacefunctions into ICAO's existing organization, e.g., <strong>the</strong>Air Navigation Bureau, <strong>the</strong> Air Transport Bureau orTechnical Cooperation Program? Should a new ICAOAerospace Bureau be established or should relations behandled by Agreements on matters with which <strong>the</strong>yconverge? We need to establish essential technical andscientific requirements without which space operationscannot be conducted successfully, and to which politicalentities must make adjustments.Space ExplorationThe 1967 <strong>Outer</strong> Space Treaty provides <strong>for</strong> a two-pathapproach to outer space: exploration and uses. At <strong>the</strong>present time emphasis is on <strong>the</strong> various uses, probablybecause <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> increase in commercial applications. Inplanning <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> 21st century, we must continue toemphasize <strong>the</strong> values from exploration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> solarsystem and <strong>the</strong> Universe, thus ensuring that nations willappropriate adequate funds <strong>for</strong> exploration.Definition <strong>of</strong> Legal TermsBoth <strong>the</strong> IISL and tho Legal Subcommittee could workon defining <strong>the</strong> legal terms that need to be clarified aswell as <strong>the</strong> methods available <strong>for</strong> this purpose. Theterms that require clarification include: space object,

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