"States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty. When activities are carried on in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, by an international organization, responsibility for compliance with this Treaty shall be borne both by the international organization and by the States Parties to the Treaty participating in such organization."

- Article VI, Outer Space Treaty

Synopsis

The 3rd Eilene M. Galloway Symposiumon Crfitical Issues in Space Law was the latest installment in a series of symposiums hosted by the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law. Co-sponsored by the Journal of Space Law, the International Institute of Space Law and Arianespace, Inc., the symposium addressed issues dealing with Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty.

The symposium addressed Article VI through three sessions, The first session, Article VI: The Legal Landscape, contained a discussion of the history and interpretation of Article VI. The second session, National Implementation of Article VI by Governments, addressed how national governments have sought to implement their international obligations under Article VI. Finally, a session titled Operating a Space Business Under National Laws that Implement Article VI, engaged discussants on the topic of how Article VI affects commercial space actors.

Symposium Origins

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Materials Available

Agenda | Poster | Res Communis Blog Report

Session I: Article VI: The Legal Landscape

Overview of State Responsibilty in a Global Commons - Prof. Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law, University of Mississippi

Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty in the European Context - Prof. Frans von der Dunk, Member, Board of the European Center for Space Law; Professor of Space Law, University of Nebraska

Implementation of Article VI of Outer Space Treaty in North America - Prof. Ram Jakhu, Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University

Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty and Private Human Access to Space - Tanja Masson-Zwaan, International Institute of Air & Space Law, Leiden University

Session II: National Implementation of Article VI by Governments

French Implementation of the Outer Space Treaty Art. VI under Space Operations Act - Philipe Clerc, Head of the Legal Service, CNES, Paris, France

Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty Issues and Implementation - Margaret Roberts, Senior Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, NASA, Washington, DC

NOAA’s Implementation of Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty with respect to Commercial Remote Sensing - Glenn Tallia, Senior Counselor for Atmospheric and Space Services, and Research, U.S. Dept. of Commerce / NOAA

Space Licensing: UK Perspective - Prof. Richard Crowther, Science & Technology Facilities Council United Kingdom

Luncheon Presentation

Selected Findings from the Andrew G. Haley Archive at National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law: the Work Product of the World's First Space Law Practitioner - Prof. Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz and Michael Dodge, National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law, University of Mississippi

Session III: Operating a Space Business Under National Laws that Implement Article VI

Data Sharing for Space Situational Awareness: Government Responsibility under Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty - Richard DalBello, VP Govt. Affairs, INTELSAT General