Spaceports, Launchers and the Concept of “Launching State”
UN documents on the concept of the “launching State”
Agreements on the exploitation of launching stations
Documents on the Ariane Programme
Documents on international trade in commercial space launch services
National legislations on launching
Other documents
Workshops and conferences
Books
Articles
Other useful readings
UN documents on the concept of the “launching State”
General Assembly Resolution: “Application of the concept of the “launching State”” (2004)
UN A/RES/59/115
Report of the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee on its Forty-second Session (2003): “Proposal for a draft resolution, for consideration by the General Assembly, on the application of the legal concept of the “launching State””
UN A/AC.105/L.249
Review of the concept of the “launching State” (2002)
UN A/AC.105/768
UN Registration Convention (1975)
UNGA RES 3235 (XXIX)
UN Liability Convention (1972)
UNGA RES 2777 (XXVI)
UN Outer Space Treaty (1967)
UNGA RES 2222 (XXI)
Agreements on the exploitation of launching stations
Treaty between Ukraine and the Federative Republic of Brazil for Long-Term Cooperation on the Utilization of the Cyclone-4 Launch Vehicle at the Alcântara Space Center (2003)
Additional Protocol between the Ukrainian Space Agency and the Brazilian Space Agency regarding Cooperation on the Utilization of Ukrainian Launch Vehicles from the Alcântara Space Center (2002)
Agreement between Brazil and Ukraine on Technological Safeguards Related to the Participation of Ukraine in Launches from the Alcântara Launch Center (2002)
Multilateral Agreement between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the United States of America on Technology Safeguards Associated with US Participation in launches from the Alcantara Spaceport (2000)
Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the United States of America on Technology Safeguards associated with the Launch by Russia of US Licensed Spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (1999)
Frame-Agreement between Brazil and Ukraine regarding Cooperation on Peaceful Utilization of Outer Space (1999)
Protocol between the European Space Agency, the Government of the Republic of Italy and the Government of the Republic of Kenya on the setting up and operation of European Space Agency equipment within the perimeter of the San Marco Satellites Tracking and Launching Station in Malindi, Kenya, and on the cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kenya and ESA for peaceful purposes (1995) (selected provisions)
Edict on the Organization of Further Utilization of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Interests of the Russian Federation’s Space Activity
Presidential Edict n. 2005 of 24 October 1994 (unofficial translation)
Documents on the Ariane Programme
ESA Council Resolution on the Evolution of the European Launcher Sector (“2005 Launchers Resolution”) (2005)
ESA Reference Framework for a coherent implementation, as from 2007, of decisions related to the restructuring of the European launcher sector (“Reference Framework”) (2005)
ESA/PB-ARIANE (2005)3, rev. 3
Agreements between the French Government and ESA on the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) (“CSG Agreement”) (2002), on the Agency’s launch sites and associated facilities at the CSG (“ELA Agreement”) (2002), on the Soyuz Launch Site (“ELS Agreement”) (2005)
Declaration between certain European Governments relating to the Ariane Launcher Production Phase (“Ariane Production Declaration”) (1980)
Arrangement between certain European Governments and the European Space Research Organization concerning the execution of the Ariane launcher programme (1973)
European Launchers Development Organization (ELDO) Convention (1962)
National legislations on launching
[For more information on national space laws, please visit the “National Space Legislations” dedicated page.]
Belgian Royal Decree
Law of 17 September 2005 (unofficial translation)
“Royal Implementing Decree”
Royal Decree of 19 March 2008 (original version)
Royal Decree of 19 March 2008 (unofficial translation)
Resolution on Commercial Launching Activities from Brazilian Territory (Brazil)
Resolution N. 51 of 26 January 2001 (original version)
French Law concerning space operations
Law n. 2008-518 of 3 June 2008 (original version)
Law n. 2008-518 of 3 June 2008(unofficial translation offered to the Journal of Space Law)
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Requirements for Amateur Rocket Activities, Final Rule (2008)
Interim Measures on the Administration of Licensing the Project of Launching Civil Space Objects (China)
Order n.12 of 21 November 2002 (unofficial translation available on the Journal of Space Law, Vol. 33, 2007, p. 437)
Japan’s Federal Law on Commercial Space Activities (1997)
Japan’s National Space Transportation Policy (1994)
Japan’s National Space Launch Strategy (1991)
Act on Launching Objects from Norwegian Territory in Outer Space (Norway)
Act N. 38 of 13 June 1969 (unofficial translation)
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 (United States)
U.S. Public Law N. 108-492 of 23 December 2004
Other documents
US Arms Export Control Act - International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 2010
US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M: ITAR
NASA Elegant Report: “Vision Spaceport: Renewing America’s Space Launch Infrastructure & Operations” (2001)
The Spaceport Vision Partnership Final Report to the NASA Space Solar Power Exploratory Research and Technology (SERT) Program: “Spaceport Concept and Technology Roadmapping: Investment Steps to Routine, Low Cost Spaceport Systems” (2000)
“The Sea Launch Guarantees Russian Federation/Ukraine”
The World Bank Guarantee: Catalyst for Private Capital Flows, June 1998.
Workshops and conferences
Institute of Air and Space Law/DLR Workshop: “Project 2001 - Legal Framework for Commercial Launch and Associated Services”
Bremen, Germany, 18-19 January 2000
Books
R. BENDER
“Launching and Operating Satellites: Legal Issues”
Kluver Law International, 1998.
C. BRÜNNER, A. SOUCEK, E. WALTER
“Raumfahrt und Recht: Faszination Weltraum: Regeln zwischen Himmel und Erde”
Boehlau Verlag, 2007.
Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.)
“Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”
Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000 (working document with limited distribution).
V. KAYSER
“Launching Space Objects: Issues of Liability and Future Prospects”
Springer, 2010.
J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU
“Space Safety Regulations and Standards”
Elsevier, 2010
M. J. RYCROFT
“The Space Transportation Market: Evolution or Revolution?” Springer, 2000.
Articles
W. BALOGH
“Rechtliche Aspekte von Raketenstarts”
In C. BRÜNNER, A. SOUCEK, E. WALTER (eds.), “Raumfahrt und Recht: Faszination Weltraum: Regeln zwischen Himmel und Erde”, Böhlau Verlag, 2007.
T. BEER
“Launch Services Agreements: Anything New?”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 127.
M. BENKO, K.-U. SCHROGL
“The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: Adoption of a Resolution on Application of the Concept of the “Launching State” and Other Recent Developments”
ZLW, Year 2005, Issue 1.
O. de O. BITTENCOURT NETO
“Private Launch Activities on Brazilian Territory: Current Legal Framework”
ZLW, Vol. 58, N. 3, 2009, pp. 429-449.
M. BOURÉLY
“La production du lanceur Ariane”
Annals of Air and Space Law, Vol. VI, 1981, p. 279.
C. BRUNNER, E. WALTER
“Space Transportation in the Future: Public-Private Partnership”
In K. ARNOLD [et al.] (eds.), “Recht, Politik, Wirtschaft: Dynamische Perspektiven: Festschrift für Norbert Wimmer”, Springer Verlag, 2008, pp.65-85.
L. BZHILIANSKAYA
“Russian Launch Vehicles on the World Market: A Case-Study of International Joint Ventures”
Space Policy, Vol. 13, Issue 4, 1997, pp. 323-338.
B. CHENG
“International Responsibility and Liability for Launch Activities”
Air and Space Law, Vol. 20, Issue 6, 1995, pp. 297-310.
C. Q. CHRISTOL
“The “Launching State” in International Space Law”
Annuaire français de Droit maritime et aérospatial, Vol. XII, 1993, p. 363.
P. CLERC, F. CAHUZAC
“Advance in the Implementation of the French Space Law on Space Operations in the Launcher Field”
In “Proceedings of the Fifty-Second Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2009”, p. 399.
A. CONDE REIS
“Guaranteed Access to Space: Extension to Countries Without Launcher?”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 89, 2006.
M. COUSTON
“La loi française sur les opérations spatiales”
ZLW, Vol. 58, Issue 2, 2009, pp. 253-282.
M. B. DAHBI
“Current Contractual and Legal Problems of Insurance Providers and Buyers”
In Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer Space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”, Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000, p. 85 (working document with limited distribution).
M. E. DAVIS
“Space Launch Safety in Australia”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 7, pp. 95-100.
R. J. DI NOTO
“Sistemas de transporte espacial”
Revista Nacional de Derecho Aeronáutico y Espacial, N. 4, 2009.
F. von der DUNK
“Space Law and the World Launching Industry”
In “Proceedings of the United Nations/Brazil Workshop on Space Law: Disseminating and Developing International and National Space Law: the Latin America and Caribbean Perspective, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-25 November 2004”, United Nations, 2005, p. 163.
F. von der DUNK
“Launching Alcantara into the Global Space Economy: the Brazilian National Space Law”
In “Proceedings of the Forty-Fifth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2002”, Vol. 45, pp. 310-320 - Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 86, 2003.
H. P. van FENEMA
“Launch Services and Satellite Export Controls: Recent Developments in the U.S.”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 121.
H. P. van FENEMA
“The International Trade in Launch Services: The Effects of U.S. Laws, Policies, and Practices on Its Development”
Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Leiden (on file as archival material), 1999.
O. FERRAJOLO
“Launch and Tracking Stations: The “San Marco – Malindi Case””
In G.LAFFERRANDERIE, D. CROWTHER (ed.), “Outlook on Space Law Over the Next 30 Years”, Kluwer Law International, The Hague, 1997, pp. 273-284.
L. F. FIALLOS PAZMIÑO
“Legal Aspects of Launching and Operating Spacecraft” Unpublished LL.M. Dissertation, McGill University, 2003 (on file as archival material).
E. A. FRANKLE
“Once a Launching State, Always the Launching State?”
In “Proceedings of the Forty-Fourth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2001”, Vol. 44, pp. 32-42.
E. A. FRANKLE, E. J. STEPTOE
“Legal Considerations Affecting Commercial Space Launches from International Territory”
In Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer Space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”, Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000, p. 59 (working document with limited distribution).
J. HABER, P. WILDE
“International Launch and Re-Entry Safety Standards”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 20, pp. 257-266.
R. HANCOCK
“Provisions of the Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA)”
Space Policy, Vol. 21, Issue 3, 2005, pp. 227-229.
J. HERMIDA
“Risk Management in Arianespace Space Launch Agreements”
Annals of Air and Space Law, Vol. XXV, 2000.
J. HOFFMAN, J. N. PELTON
“Regulatory Procedures and Standards for Launch Range Safety for Manned and Unmanned Launches”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 9, pp. 109-122.
P. HULSROJ
“The Concept of Delivery”
In Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer Space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”, Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000, p. 77 (working document with limited distribution).
V. IAVICOLI
“The Concept of Launching State in the NPS Principles”
In “Proceedings of the Forty-Sixth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2003”, pp. 418-424.
R. S. JAKHU, Y. O. M. NYAMPONG
“International Regulation of Emerging Modes of Space Transportation”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”
Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 17, pp. 215-238.
E. F. JOCHIM
“Safety Issues: Technical Background and Needs”
In Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer Space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”, Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000, p. 107 (working document with limited distribution).
A. KERREST
“Launching Spacecraft from the Sea and the Outer Space Treaty: The Sea Launch Project”
In F. LYALL, P. B. LARSEN (eds.), “Space Law”, Ashgate, 2007.
A. KERREST
“Sharing the Risk of Space Activities: Three Questions, Three Solutions”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 135.
N. KNITTLMAYER
“Regulatory Activities and Launch Contracts”
In Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR (eds.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer Space: Proceedings of the Project 2001 - Workshop on Commercial Launch Activities, 19 January 2000, Bremen, Germany”, Institute of Air and Space Law of the University of Cologne/DLR, 2000, p. 97 (working document with limited distribution).
C. KOHLHASE, P. S. MAKIOL
“Report of the “Project 2001” Working Group on Launch and Associated Services”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 55.
M. KÖSTER
“Annex to the Working Group [on Launch and Associated Services] Report: Legal Problems Related to a Combined Use of Airspace by Air- and Spacecraft”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 103.
G. LAFFERRANDERIE
“Annex to the Working Group [on Launch and Associated Services] Report: Regulation of the European Launch Industry: The Legal Framework for Launch Services in Europe”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 113.
B. C. LAI
“National Subsidies in the International Commercial Launch Market”
Space Policy, Vol. 9, Issue 1, February 1993, pp. 17-34.
P. LARSEN
“Brief Statement on the Legal Regime for Space Elevators”
In “Proceedings of the Fifty-Second Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2009”, p. 426.
B. LAZARE, J.-P. TRINCHERO
“Regulations and Licensing at the European Spaceport”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 15, pp. 177-185.
J. J. LEE
“Legal Analysis of Sea Launch License: National Security and Environmental Concerns”
Space Policy, Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2008, pp. 104-112.
J. LI
“Space Safety Regulations and Standards in China”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 6, pp. 83-93.
N. MALYSHEVA
“Space Law and the World Launching Industry”
In “Proceedings of the United Nations/Brazil Workshop on Space Law: Disseminating and Developing International and National Space Law: The Latin America and Caribbean Perspective, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-25 November 2004”, United Nations, 2005, p. 116.
W. MARQUES da SILVA, A. STEMLER DA VEIGA
“Acordo de Salvaguardas Tecnológicas Entre Brasil e Estados Unidos da América: Por Quê Aprová-lo?”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 83, 2001.
J. MONSERRAT FILHO
“…A Better Model of Cooperation? The Brazilian–Ukrainian Agreement on Launching Cyclone-4 from Alcantara”
Space Policy, Vol. 21, Issue 1, 2005, pp. 65-73.
J. MONSERRAT FILHO
“Brazilian Launch Licensing and Authorizing Regimes”
In “Proceedings of the United Nations/International Institute of Air and Space Law Workshop on Capacity Building in Space Law”, United Nations, New York, 2003, p. 97–105
J. MONSERRAT FILHO
“A Parceria entre Brasil e Ucrânia para o Uso Comercial do Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 86, 2003.
J. MONSERRAT FILHO
“Estudo da Definição de Estado Lançador”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 81, 2000.
J. MONSERRAT FILHO, V. LEISTER
“A Discussão no Congresso Nacional do Acordo Brasil-EUA de Salvaguardas Tecnológicas sobre o Uso do Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara” - “The Discussion in the Brazilian National Congress of the Brazil-USA Agreement on Technology Safeguards Relating to the Use of Alcantara Spaceport”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 83, 2001.
R. MUSSI
“Limitação Temporal da Condição de Estado Lançador”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 81, 2000.
V. NASE
“The Questionable Legality of the US Space Elevator Concept”
ZLW, Year 2006, Issue 1.
M. OEHM
“Risk Distribution in Launch Services Agreements: Some Comments from a Launch Services Provider’s Perspective”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 139.
F.de OLIVEIRA PONTES
“Contribuição para a Definição de Estado Lançador”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 81, 2000.
T. PFITZER
“U.S. Department of Defence Launch Safety Standards”
In J. N. PELTON, R. M. JAKHU, “Space Safety Regulations and Standards”, Elsevier, 2010, Chapter 2, pp. 17-27.
L. RAPP
“When France Puts its Own Stamp on the Space Law Landscape: Comments on Act No. 2008-518 of 3 June 2008 Relative to Space Operations”
Journal of Space Law, Vol. 35, N. 1, 2009, pp. 87-103.
A. F. dos SANTOS
“O Conceito de “Estado Lançador””
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 81, 2000.
K.-U. SCHROGL
“The UN General Assembly Resolution: Application of the Concept of “Launching State””, UNGA Res. 59/115 of 10 December 2004: Background and Main Features”
In “Proceedings of the Forty-Eight Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 2005”, Vol. 48, pp. 347-352.
K.-U. SCHROGL
“A New Look at the Concept of the “Launching State”: The Results of the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee Working Group 2000-2002”
ZLW, Year 2002, Issue 3.
K.-U. SCHROGL
“Annex to the Working Group [on Launch and Associated Services] Report: Responsibility and Liability: Need for National Regulation (incl. Harmonization)”
In K.-H. BOCKSTIEGEL (ed.), “Project 2001 – Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Outer space: Recommendations and Conclusion to Develop the Present State of the Law”, Carl Heymanns Verlag, Cologne, 2002, p. 109.
K.-U. SCHROGL
“Is the Concept of “Launching State” Still Adequate?”
In R. A. HARRIS (eds.), “Proceedings of the Third ECSL Colloquium: International Organisations and Space Law: Their Role and Contributions, Perugia, Italy, 6-7 May 1999”, ESA/ECSL Publications, 1999, p. 327.
A. STEMLER da VEIGA
“O Brasil como Estado Lançador e o Interesse na Comercialização do Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara”
Revista Brasileira de Direito Aeronáutico e Espacial, N. 81, 2000.
G. VENTURINI
“Questions Relating to Space Transportation Systems Before the UNCOPUOS”
In R. A. HARRIS, G. LAFFERRANDERIE, M. FERRAZZANI (eds.), “Proceedings of the Third ECSL Colloquium: International Organisations and Space Law: Their Role and Contributions, Perugia, Italy, 6-7 May 1999”, ESA/ECSL Publications, 1999, p. 301.
V. J. VISSEPÓ
“Legal Aspects of Reusable Launch Vehicles”
Journal of Space Law, Vol. 31, Issue 1, 2005, pp. 165-217.
H. A. WASSENBERGH
“A Launch and a Space Transportation Law, Separate from Outer Space Law?”
Air and Space Law, Vol. 21, 1996, Issue 1, pp. 28-32.
G. P. ZHUKOV
“Can the State from Whose Territory a Space Object Was Launched Declare Itself a Non-Launching One?”
Air and Space Law, Vol. 28, Issue 1, 2003, pp. 50-53.
Other useful readings
R. HANDBERG
“Creating Transportation Infrastructure through State Spaceport Initiatives: Florida and other Examples”
Technology in Society, Vol. 24, Issue 3, 2002, pp. 225-241.
HERTZFELD, N. PETER
“Developing New Launch Vehicle Technology: The Case for Multi-National Private Sector Cooperation”
Space Policy, Vol. 23, Issue 2, 2007, pp. 81-89.
B. LEMLEY
“Space Elevator: Going Up”
Discover, July 2004.
Useful links