Introducing the law games: predicting legal liability and fault in satellite operations

Newman, Christopher, Dinsley, Ralph and Ralston, William (2021) Introducing the law games: predicting legal liability and fault in satellite operations. Advances in Space Research, 67 (11). pp. 3785-3792. ISSN 0273-1177

[img]
Preview
Text
ASR-D-20-00086_R1.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0.

Download (572kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2020.04.020

Abstract

Over recent times there has been a rise in the number of objects placed into Earth orbit. With various countries licensing a number of large constellations, the orbital population is set to increase dramatically. A significant number of technical advances have facilitated this and, in the UK and elsewhere, this has been matched by the updating of legislation and an increased policy focus on the need for increased space surveillance and tracking. The rise of large constellations coupled with an increasing number of experimental techniques such as active debris removal or on-orbit servicing procedures means that establishing fault will be crucial if litigation is to be successful. In doing this, any legal proceedings will look at both norms of behaviour, deviation from which will point towards fault and the types and standard of evidence that will be required.
This paper will outline these problems in detail. It will be proposed that what is required to map out the contours of liability are both codification of the norms for satellite operations and clarity on protocols for evidence gathering in cases where fault may be contested in orbital operations. This discussion will identify that a way in which this could be achieved is by the use of “space law games”. These are simulations, similar to military war games, in which fictional scenarios could highlight some of the key legal issues that might need to be dealt with. The paper will outline some of the ways in which the law games might work and pose questions as to what data and other considerations will be needed to make such simulations meaningful.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Space Law Games, Space Liability, Space Law
Subjects: M100 Law by area
M200 Law by Topic
Department: Faculties > Business and Law > Northumbria Law School
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 13 May 2020 14:34
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2021 16:06
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/43130

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics