NationStates Jolt Archive

Here is a draft proposal up for knocking down and hashing out about international space law. The work is my own but I have reviewed the current UN laws, wiki, and a former resolution in the old beurocracy about space safety and debris.

Personally I think this proposal is too long but I've decided to present it as one and hash out details about splitting it later.

The Space Control Act

This proposal concerns the creation of laws and treaties concerning the outer space region of the planet.

Recognising that Outer Space (defined as the lowest altitude above sea level at which objects can orbit the earth) is international territory and must be recognised as such. Secondly recognising that all celestial bodies are included in this agreement.

Whilst this proposal recognises the rights of countries to initiatate space programmes and to launch sattelites it further recognises that such missions can have international affects and as such should be internationally regulated. Also that whether a nation has space activities or not accidents due to lack of international co-operation and regulation can affect the nation directly or indirectly.

Noting that the growing amount of space debris is dangerous for all parties involved in space exploitation and further growth must be halted and measures put into place to reduce current space debris.

Finally noting that research into the Universe is important to all of mankind and this should be recognised by the WA.

Mandates:

1) To establish clear law on outer space matters. a) Defines outer space as the lowest altitude that objects can achieve orbit around the Earth. b) That all space and natural bodies in this area are neutral international territory and must be governed as such this means that no natural resources can be harvested, bases set up, weapons tested, or areas claimed by any nation without the approval of the entire WA. c) That a nation is responsible for any object that it sends into space whether they are launched by private companies or the government of that nation unless a different nation uses that nations' teritory for the launch in which case the object is the responsibility of the formaer nation. d) Any object launched into space must comply with the rest of the mandates in the Act. e) That a nation is responsible for any results of any missions that it conducts in outer space.

2) To deal with the growing problems associated with Space Debris the WA will a) Establish the Commitee for Space Debris whose remit will be to register the size, velocity, and orbits of all space debris in orbit of the planet and to limit the production of more debris through international safety regultions on all equipment to be launched. b) To encourage nations with space activities to help in the recovery or disposal of space debris.

3) To impose neutrality upon outer space the Act a) Bans the use of space based weapons including those that target other sattellites. b) Bans the use of terrestrial or space based equipment to interfere with the sattellites of any nation unless the two nations are in a state of war. c) Specifically does not ban the use of sattelites for information gathering and other similar purposes provided this is limited to national defence or for offence only in a time of war. d) Bans the destruction of any sattellite if that destruction will result in orbital space debris, danger to the planet, or risks to other space equipment.

4) To settle disputes between nations regarding outer space the WA will establish the Space Courts to a) Settle space based disputes between nations. b) To investigate and settle liability claims from damages caused by space objects. All decisions of this court are binding to the parties concerned.

5) To reduce the risk of disaster originating from space operations and to provide safety in space the WA will a) Create the Commitee for Space Safety to impose universal safety requirements on all space equipment and to investigate the safety procedures and precautions of all WA space activity. Approval of the Commitee must be gained to launch equipment into space. b) To impose a ban on the disposal of all waste (whether nuclear, chemical, mundane, or other) through space. c) To agree that all nations have a responsibility to rescue any persons who are in trouble in space regardless of nationality and to return them to their home nation. d) That all nations engaging in space activities must decomission their space equipment in a safe manner.

6) Recognising that space is the new frontier and that to meet growing population demands space within this solar system and further afield will someday have to be exploited. The WA will therefore create the World Space Technology and Research Centre to provide a base for the sharing of information and for internationally funded reasearch for the benefit of all mankind.

7) For the safety of all space operationsthe WA will create a registry of a) all nations both WA and not who are engaged in or suspected to be engaged in space activities. b) Of all objects currently in outer space and objects that will be launched into outer space that states purpose, dates of orbit, area of orbit and velocity, plans for decommission, and nation responsible for object (excluding objects classed as space debris). Further the WA will engage in activities to pursuade those countries not in the WA but engaged in space activities to sign agreement to this act.

8) For the benefit of all mankind the WA will create and man The WA Space Station and the WA Universal Space Telescope to engage in research, observe phenomena, and make measurements for the furthurment of the human understanding of the universe. And finally the WA will create the WA Weather Sattellite Network Centre that will draw upon the activities of member and signatory nations to co-ordinate planetwide weather monitoring.



Funding for the mandates 1 through to 7 will be drawn from the WA General Fund. Funding for the 8th mandate will be upon a voluntary basis for all nations wishing to paarticipate in these projects.


Please comment

There are already a number of WA member nations that are actually located in "Outer Space": I rather doubt whether they'll support this proposal...

There are already a number of WA member nations that are actually located in "Outer Space": I rather doubt whether they'll support this proposal...

Being one of those member nations that are located in what would be considered International Outer Space, I would most definitely not support this proposal. Our Republic refuses to be considered International Space. We have our borders and will defend them against invaders. We also refuse to accept a ban on Space Based Weaponry since the majority of our weaponry is designed for use in space.

By the gods, another attempt to ban space-based weapons?

No.

-Arjel Khazaran, Deputy Ambassador

Illegal and also Meta-Gamming. So the answer is no. I am curious to know why is it that it's only the new members that have joined just now today or joined 2-3 days ago that are attempting to ban space based weapons ???

Korintar is an earth based nation, but the majority of our military spending goes into our space force. Are you expecting us to give up our most important military asset? We sure hope not, or you will have to try and take down the six space stations yourself. Believe me when I say this, there will be resistance and you will be risking war with us. It would most certainly be in the best interest of your sovereignty to back down from this inane proposal.
- Madam General Cheri Konstado, Director of Security/Commander in Chief of the Korintari armed forces.

The Atacotti would be risking a war with FSSU if it does not back down from this, as alot of our weapons are also space based weapons and we also have laser guarded sattelites, sattelites for defensive and offensive purposes.

If it is completely based on the WA General Fund then this is a house of cards violation. It is common that most WA resolutions, including mine, are independent but some can append to past resolutions. But if a past resolution is your base for this then disaster could strike if the previous got repealed.

I do wish my esteemed colleagues would read the rules prior to bringing things to proposal. War rhetoric aside we believe the delegate from FSSU is correct in that it would be meta gaming and illegal, as well as the house of cards that Ms. Harper alluded to.

We however do remind our colleague from the FSSU that this is an chamber for peaceful resolution of differences and there is a different time and place for war posturing.

Nigel S Youlikn
WA Ambassador

I must agree with Representative Youlikn; this is nothing to get worked up about. Simply a draft for a proposal that wasn't thoroughly thought out. This is something I've been guilty of myself, so I can assure you that the author didn't mean any harm. In fact, by his face, I think that he is new here.

I think the space debris portion of his arguement is well researched and deserves consideration by this council. Furthermore, would it be illegal to write a proposal concerning these matters for only 'Earth' (can I say earth? lol) based Nations in the WA? I realize this would create an unequality, but only ask for future reference. As certainly there have been environmental issues discussed/passed here in the Assembly's history that don't make a lot of sense considering arguements brought to light in this room (thread.)

Trying to ban Space based weapons eh? Sounds like somebody doesn't have them. ;)

Although the proposal has some merit, it fails to address enforcement of itself. Would the World Assembly fund enforcement efforts, and to whom would the enforcement responsibility fall.

While a registry is a nice idea, the language is vague on whether or not inclusion of a country's space-based assets on such registry would be voluntary or mandatory.

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M Royal Order of the Crane

No. No ban on space weaponry. A WA junk tracking committee is acceptable, but don't take away my space weapons. I need space weapons. I need my orbital laser cannons to enforce law on the ground and knock out rogue nations and terrorists that threaten Divinen. I need my weapons on my flagships and my starfighters to protect my space shipping from space pirates.

Also, don't define my population satellites as "international territory". Or my weapons satellites, or my communication satellites, or my flagships. Then I won't be able to do anything with them without WA approval.

Although the proposal has some merit, it fails to address enforcement of itself. Would the World Assembly fund enforcement efforts, and to whom would the enforcement responsibility fall.

While a registry is a nice idea, the language is vague on whether or not inclusion of a country's space-based assets on such registry would be voluntary or mandatory.

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M Royal Order of the Crane

HRH Shawn Garza,

The proposal has no merit actually. It is attempting to place all non-Earth based civilizations into being considered International Space. That would throw away all boundary lines and allow for those civilizations, like mine, to be overrun. We wouldn't be able to defend ourselves or attack any invaders without WA approval.

This registry is also a very bad idea. Those space based civilizations would have to register almost everything. Why should we have to do that? Why not make every nation register everything they have instead? Why just space based assets? It would be a very long list for the Republic since we have no Earth bound colonies. We exist entirely in what this proposal is calling International Space.

See the issues now?

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

We also oppose the registry in that while we have no space based laser cannons or orbital attack capability we do have several assets in space that we'd rather not inform the entire world about.

Nigel S Youlkin
WA Ambassador

HRH Shawn Garza,

The proposal has no merit actually. It is attempting to place all non-Earth based civilizations into being considered International Space. That would throw away all boundary lines and allow for those civilizations, like mine, to be overrun. We wouldn't be able to defend ourselves or attack any invaders without WA approval.

This registry is also a very bad idea. Those space based civilizations would have to register almost everything. Why should we have to do that? Why not make every nation register everything they have instead? Why just space based assets? It would be a very long list for the Republic since we have no Earth bound colonies. We exist entirely in what this proposal is calling International Space.

See the issues now?

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

Ambassador Jenner,

I do see the issues, but I cannot subscribe to your hard-line approach to the issue. Nor do I agree totally with the Proposal as it is currently written.

If we were to view all land-bound nations as islands on the waters of the oceans, why can we not view your Nation as an island in the ocean of space? Although I have not performed extensive research, the WA more than likely has laws that govern the oceans and define what waters are labeled "international."

So, yes, the current proposal's definition of "Outer Space" is far too broad, and legal distinctions between "Outer Space" and "International Space" and "Sovereign Space" must be outlined. That being said, your honorable Nation does not inhabit the totality of outer space. As you stated, other nations inhabit areas of outer space.

Regardless of what state secrets your nation may hold, a registry of equipment of any sort that is launched from within your borders, that then exits your borders and enters international space, is a respectable and responsible collection of data to maintain. I can assure you that if my kingdom was ejecting hazardous wastes from within its border and that waste found its way to the oceans, the impact of the resulting pollution would be grave, and the rest of the world would be entitled to know the source of the pollution.

I will support, and lobby for, this proposal if the above distinctions between "outer space," "international space," and "sovereign space" are outlined, and if the borders of space-bound nations are recognized, respected and viewed as inviolable during times of peace.

Now that I have detailed my position, I respectfully ask: Do you see the issues now?

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M. The Royal Order of the Crane

Ambassador Jenner,

I do see the issues, but I cannot subscribe to your hard-line approach to the issue. Nor do I agree totally with the Proposal as it is currently written.

If we were to view all land-bound nations as islands on the waters of the oceans, why can we not view your Nation as an island in the ocean of space? Although I have not performed extensive research, the WA more than likely has laws that govern the oceans and define what waters are labeled "international."

So, yes, the current proposal's definition of "Outer Space" is far too broad, and legal distinctions between "Outer Space" and "International Space" and "Sovereign Space" must be outlined. That being said, your honorable Nation does not inhabit the totality of outer space. As you stated, other nations inhabit areas of outer space.

Regardless of what state secrets your nation may hold, a registry of equipment of any sort that is launched from within your borders, that then exits your borders and enters international space, is a respectable and responsible collection of data to maintain. I can assure you that if my kingdom was ejecting hazardous wastes from within its border and that waste found its way to the oceans, the impact of the resulting pollution would be grave, and the rest of the world would be entitled to know the source of the pollution.

I will support, and lobby for, this proposal if the above distinctions between "outer space," "international space," and "sovereign space" are outlined, and if the borders of space-bound nations are recognized, respected and viewed as inviolable during times of peace.

Now that I have detailed my position, I respectfully ask: Do you see the issues now?

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M. The Royal Order of the Crane

HRH Shawn Garza,

What is to constitute sovereign space then? Do space faring civilizations get to lay down our own borders? Why should any resolution dictate to us where our borders can and cannot be? Would you feel the same, I wonder, if I were to write a proposal that determined land based borders?

I never did state that we were the only space faring civilization. I merely stated that my civilization rests in what currently would be named as International Space.

We will not, I repeat, will not support any proposal that requires us to register anything which leaves our borders. It is far too much to ask of any space faring civilization. Prototypes often leave the boundaries of such civilizations. Why should we put our research out for others to see? Why should any other space faring civilization?

Furthermore, do you have any idea what such research could do were it to fall into the wrong hands? We have a large amount of tech levels here. Space faring technology and nations who have yet to discover how to build a toilet that flushes. Give them any possible access to technology above their own level and they may end up destroying themselves and any nation around them because they don't understand the technology. No offense meant to any nations that meet this description, of course.

Now, dumping toxic waste into the ocean and potentially giving a nation the means to destroy themselves and others are at two very different ends of the spectrum.

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

HRH Shawn Garza,

What is to constitute sovereign space then? Do space faring civilizations get to lay down our own borders? Why should any resolution dictate to us where our borders can and cannot be? Would you feel the same, I wonder, if I were to write a proposal that determined land based borders?

I never did state that we were the only space faring civilization. I merely stated that my civilization rests in what currently would be named as International Space.

We will not, I repeat, will not support any proposal that requires us to register anything which leaves our borders. It is far too much to ask of any space faring civilization. Prototypes often leave the boundaries of such civilizations. Why should we put our research out for others to see? Why should any other space faring civilization?

Furthermore, do you have any idea what such research could do were it to fall into the wrong hands? We have a large amount of tech levels here. Space faring technology and nations who have yet to discover how to build a toilet that flushes. Give them any possible access to technology above their own level and they may end up destroying themselves and any nation around them because they don't understand the technology. No offense meant to any nations that meet this description, of course.

Now, dumping toxic waste into the ocean and potentially giving a nation the means to destroy themselves and others are at two very different ends of the spectrum.

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

Ambassador Jenner

Your first question is the crux of this matter. I specifically stated that a definition of sovereign space must be drafted and finalized prior to the proposal moving forward. However, your reply is ambiguous and, therefore, difficult to translate.

You state that space-faring civilizations should not be mandated to draw their own borders. Therefore, you are, in effect, stating that your civilization is "borderless." If this is the case, then you are stating that other space-faring organizations have no borders because your civilization (or some other) has as its territory the entirety of outer space. This logic necessarily crumbles under the weight of reality. I am certain that the Honorable Ambassador is not hereby stating that Rutinias's territory encompasses all of outer space (due to a lack of borders) and that all other space-faring nations are encroaching Rutinias territory. A statement like that would be one of grave concern to the other space-faring nations.

Landbased borders have been made through history, war and/or treaty.

You mention that prototypes often leave the boundaries of space-faring nations. I'm not certain how this can be if space-faring nations have no boundaries.

Also, I don't agree that toxic waste and destructive technologies are different. The only distinction between the two is the level of possible destruction. Also, if any civilization, space-faring or not, is testing any type of weapon of mass destruction, then the Honorable Ambassador can rest assured that the Kingdom of Tessaglia will advocate a thorough registry.

Thank you.

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M. The Royal Order of the Crane

Ambassador Jenner

Your first question is the crux of this matter. I specifically stated that a definition of sovereign space must be drafted and finalized prior to the proposal moving forward. However, your reply is ambiguous and, therefore, difficult to translate.

You state that space-faring civilizations should not be mandated to draw their own borders. Therefore, you are, in effect, stating that your civilization is "borderless." If this is the case, then you are stating that other space-faring organizations have no borders because your civilization (or some other) has as its territory the entirety of outer space. This logic necessarily crumbles under the weight of reality. I am certain that the Honorable Ambassador is not hereby stating that Rutinias's territory encompasses all of outer space (due to a lack of borders) and that all other space-faring nations are encroaching Rutinias territory. A statement like that would be one of grave concern to the other space-faring nations.

Landbased borders have been made through history, war and/or treaty.

You mention that prototypes often leave the boundaries of space-faring nations. I'm not certain how this can be if space-faring nations have no boundaries.

Also, I don't agree that toxic waste and destructive technologies are different. The only distinction between the two is the level of possible destruction. Also, if any civilization, space-faring or not, is testing any type of weapon of mass destruction, then the Honorable Ambassador can rest assured that the Kingdom of Tessaglia will advocate a thorough registry.

Thank you.

HRH Shawn Garza
King of Tessaglia
G.M. The Royal Order of the Crane

HRH Shawn Garza,

No, what I said was 'Why should any resolution dictate to us where our borders can and cannot be?' I never said that we didn't have borders. I would appreciate if words were not put into my mouth. Specifically words that I did not say.

Therefore the rest of your reply is, sad to say, based entirely on untrue words.

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

Kayoria's leadership would like this proposal dismissed and the possibility of a new proposal drawn up. A proposal to "clean" the space debris around our planet. It would be costly and would require all nations to help join in on the clean-up. But, by cleaning the area around our planet could help with launches. Instead of a couple days window to launch, it could be a couple months. Banning space weapons is a lost cause and claiming space as international space, well that is very difficult with other nations already in "outer" space.

Kayoria's leadership would like this proposal dismissed and the possibility of a new proposal drawn up. A proposal to "clean" the space debris around our planet. It would be costly and would require all nations to help join in on the clean-up. But, by cleaning the area around our planet could help with launches. Instead of a couple days window to launch, it could be a couple months. Banning space weapons is a lost cause and claiming space as international space, well that is very difficult with other nations already in "outer" space.

Cleaning up space debris is a far better proposal than attempting to ban space based weaponry. This proposal is flatly discriminatory against those of us who have advanced technology. It honestly seems like a case of 'you have these weapons, we want them, you're not sharing, so no one can have them'.

The Republic would, actually, support a proposal to help clean up space junk in orbit around planets. Not only would it help with launches, it would also help with 'falling debris'. We've had that issue before with orbital decay. It's not pretty when a satellite that's decades old ends up in a farmer's field, killing livestock.

Paula Jenner, Rutianas Ambassador

We are strongly against this proposal calls for banning all space based weapons and orbital weapons and missile defense systems, also this proposal is illegal as this is mixing two different real UN resolutions, also it is plagiarism, meta-gamming and it is strongly against NS rules and meta-gamming here is strongly discouraged and illegal. I don't know why this thread is still active, it should be put to rest the minute it was posted.