The Geostationary Ring: Practice and Law

Erscheinungsjahr 2020
ISBN: 978-90-04-40691-9
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 16, 482 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 888 g

Reihe: Studies in Space Law

The Geostationary Ring: Practice and Law addresses numerous physical aspects of this highly sought-after orbit which serves as the backbone for international satellite communications and analyses the evolution of its use, coordination and related disputes along with sovereignty claims over segments of the Geostationary Orbit.



The author, Martha Mejía-Kaiser, discusses the increasing population of this orbital region with operational spacecraft, its pollution with man-made space debris, and the upcoming active space removal by external systems. Based on empirical data, the author analyses in unprecedented detail a measurable State practice in the efforts of keeping this orbital region operational, and addresses key legal questions with regard to the benefit and interests of all nations, equitable access and its economic and rationale use.


See inside the book.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mejía-Kaiser, Martha

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationales Öffentliches Recht, Völkerrecht, Internationale Organisationen
• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationales See-, Luft- und Weltraumrecht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword

Acknowledgements

List of Figures and Tables

Abbreviations

Introduction

1Physical Characteristics and Users of the Geostationary Orbit

1 The Way Leading to the Geostationary Orbit

2 Types of Orbits

3 Two Examples of Circular and Elliptical Orbits

4 The Geostationary Orbit

5 Geosynchronous Orbits

6 The Geostationary Ring as a Three-Dimensional Body

7 Some Natural Forces Influencing Satellite Positions

8 Users of the Geostationary Ring

9 Conclusion

2Basic Concepts of Space Law as Relevant to the Geostationary Ring

1 Space Law Legal and Political Multilateral Instruments

2 Basic Concepts of Space Law

3 State Responsibility in General

4 State Responsibility for Space Activities

5 Liability

6 Conclusion

3Sovereignty Claims with Respect to the Geostationary Ring

1 The Boundaries of Outer Space

2 The Bogotá Declaration

3 Position of Colombia

4 Position of Ecuador

5 The Unsubstantiated Position of Colombia and Ecuador

6 Conclusion

4Slots and Electromagnetic Frequencies

1 Beginning of Space Communications

2 Brief Historical Background of ITU’s Role with Regard to Geostationary Communications

3 Stepping Stones for Geostationary Slot and Frequency Coordination

4 Controversial and Peculiar Issues

5 Conclusion

5Space Traffic in the Geostationary Ring

1 Busy Segments in the Geostationary Ring

2 Sharing Duties for Satellite Station-keeping

3 Traffic Rules and Traffic Management

4 Conclusion

6Pollution of the Geostationary Ring

1 Generation of Space Debris

2 Small Space Debris

3 Space Surveillance

4 Initial Efforts to Preserve the Geostationary Ring

5 Conclusion

7Re-orbiting into Graveyard Orbits

1 The Geostationary Ring as a Protected Region

2 The Price of Re-orbiting Satellites into Graveyard Orbits

3 Evolution of the IADC Recommendations on ‘Re-orbiting’ into Customary Law?

4 Will the ‘Re-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbits’ Crystallize into a New Norm of International Customary Law?

5 Legal Consequences If ‘Re-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbits’ Crystallizes as a Norm

6 Legal Consequences Even If No Norm Exists

7 Conclusion

8On-Orbit Servicing, Removal and Recycling of Space Debris

1 The State with Jurisdiction and Control

2 On-Orbit Servicing of Geostationary Satellites

3 Salvage of Space Objects

4 Recycling Space Objects

5 Responsibility and Liability for On-orbit Servicing, Salvage and Recycling

6 Active Space Debris Removal

7 Responsibility and Liability for Removal

8 Removal of Hazardous Space Objects

9 Model for the Distant Future: International Market Oriented Space Removal

10 Conclusion

9Unauthorised Cyber Activities

1 Basic Technical Description of a Satellite System

2 Methods to Access the Computer Systems of a Space System

3 Unauthorised Access to Satellite Payload

4 Unauthorised Access to Satellite Flight Systems

5 Unauthorised Cyber Activities Under Telecommunications Law

6 Unauthorised Cyber Activities in Space Law

7 Phases of Unauthorised Cyber Activities

8 Recommendations to Counteract Unauthorised Cyber Activities on Space Systems

9 Conclusion

10Future Systems

1 Space Solar Power Systems

2 Space Mirrors

3 Space Elevator

4 Other Uses

5 Conclusion

Concluding Remarks

1 Matters for Further Research

2 The Way Forward

Annex 1: IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

Annex 2: Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations

Annex 3: Table about the Practice by States and International Organisations on Satellite Re-orbiting from 1999 to 2018

Annex 4: Proposal of an International Convention on the Removal of Hazardous Space Debris

Bibliography

Treaties, Other Instruments and Documents

Court Cases

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Martha Mejía-Kaiser, PhD in Political and Social Sciences (2003), Master in International Law (1993), is member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law. She has published a number of articles and chapters in books on international space law.