The exploration, use, and exploitation of space resources is the most exciting chapter among today's issues of concern to the space community. At the same time, however, it has generated intense controversy at the international level, since current international and space law do not seem to ensure a stable, clear regime for such activities to take place. Furthermore, some legislative approaches at the national level, which have seen the light of day, do not seem capable of ensuring a universally acceptable solution. It could therefore be said that the question of how the governance of space resources in general should ideally be regulated remains, for the time being, unresolved.

This book thoroughly reviews the relevant international experience and explores why current international law is at an impasse on the issue of space resources. Further, it discusses the possible ways out in the legal field and proposes solutions, some of which have not been presently discussed.

Analyzes why current national and international law is insufficient in addressing the issue of space resources Proposes potential solutions through which international law will acquire the effectiveness that it currently lacks Reflects in the work of the UNCOPUOS Legal Subcommittee on the issue of potential legal models for activities in space

Autorentext

George D. Kyriakopoulos is Associate Professor of International Law at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Vice-Dean of the School. He is also Attorney at Law and member of the Athens Bar Association, He has been a member of the Greek delegation to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) and its Legal Subcommittee, and has served as Rapporteur to the Scientific Council of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, Professor Kyriakopoulos is point of contact for Greece of the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) and member of the International Institute of Space Law, where he has been a visiting professor at the Institute of Air and Space Law of McGill University (March-August 2019, Montreal, Canada), the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of Sophia Antipolis University (Nice, France) and the Department of International, European and Regional Studies of Panteion University (Athens, Greece). He has served as an advisor to the Greek Minister of National Defense on airspace law issues (2005 - 2006) and as a member of the Greek Air Accident Investigation & Aviation Safety Board (2008 - 2010).

Inhalt

Chapter 1: Realizing the need to take a step: Applicable international law is not enough.- Chapter 2: Uncertainty of the next step: The limitations of academic approaches in offering a satisfactory response.- Chapter 3: Uncertainty of the next step #2: Reconciling State perspectives within the UNCOPUOS.- Chapter 4: Uncertainty of the next step #3: Exploring appropriate responses through international instruments and projects.- Chapter 5: Taking a firm step: Reviving international law.