SPACE LAWS IN INDIA

 SPACE LAWS IN INDIA

Space technology is a kind of technology created by space science for astronautical uses, such as space exploration or space slight. All kinds of space technology are applied in our regular lives to assume whether using satellites (INSATS), satellite transmissions in our televisions, remote sensing, and the GPS that we are so utilized to these days to direct and communicate locations. Government policies, growing investor interests, and local technology skills have elevated the number of space tech start-ups in India.

Let's start with international covenants and treaties, then go on to India's space rules, and lastly, the concerns and prospects of space technology.

• Treaties and Conventions 

There are 5 international treaties that deal with space and are as follows:

• The Outer Space Treaty (1967)

• The Rescue Agreement (1968)

• The Liability Convention (1972)

• The Registration Convention (1975), and

• The Moon Treaty (1979)

Many of these are governed by the United Nations' office of outer space relations. Four out of five treaties mentioned above have been accepted by India, while one, the moon treaty, has been signed. Accepted means acknowledging and not an agreement for those who are not in abidance with International Law, whereas signing refers to an expression of agreement and not the agreement itself.

In addition to the above-mentioned, India has accepted two other comparable treaties. There are some:

1. A treaty disallowing nuclear weapons testing in the outer space, atmosphere, and under the sea;

2. And a convention restricting the military or any other abhorrent use of environmental change methods.

• Space tech in India 

The present Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO), the Indian National Committee for Space Research, began the country's space technology story in the year 1962. The first rocket was launched in the year 1963 under the guidance of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and the famous Aryabhata, an Indian research satellite created and built domestically, was launched in 1975. India has passed through developing satellites under ISRP and launching them with the help of other countries such as France and Russia to commercially launch satellites for other countries. By sending Chandrayaan, India's expedition to the moon, India understood for the first time that the moon had water. Furthermore, India sent Mangalyaan, a Mars expedition, with less transportation cost and a lower cost per km covered than a rickshaw in India's tier two cities. India is present, among one of the seven countries competent in developing, planning, launching, commercializing, and tracking space.

For a long time, the space technology area was only for ISRO and only some public-sector companies. This is not to say that commercial interest is not present in India; it is, but it was commonly restricted to selling elements and units for ISRO and other public sections entities creations.

Despite India's exquisite and commendable technical and scientific success in the space sector, the country is far behind in the legal sector. As of 2021, India had no space laws. This is a weird situation since even countries that haven't made much make in space tech have string space laws to cover any eventualities. India, which is the string to be reckoned with in space tech, does not have its own legislation, even after accepting four treaties, signing one, and accepting two related treaties mentioned above.

• Laws regarding Space tourism in India

Another sector of interest and adequate opportunity is space tourism. Space tourism can be for amusement, fun, education, or business. Space travel is expensive, yet a buyer can acquire everything that is in the market, as highlighted in the Keynesian theory of jobs. It may take some time for this to changes and become self-sustaining, but it is a chance that should not be ignored. Space tourism gives a bunch of prospects for start-ups in the field of clothing, food, and hygiene.

The regulations that administer space travel are varied and numerous. They are handled by the following:

Criterion 1: ratione loci-jurisdiction is limited to matters coming in the state's territory from which transportation is given (outer space or airspace)

Criterion 2: ratione materiae, or subject-matter jurisdiction, applies to the medium of transportation, the engine, and other objects.

Criterion 2: The responsibilities and benefits of a client's privileges.

• The Future post-Covid-19 destruction

Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan-2, the films brought the ISRO and Mars into our houses, overpowering the year 2019. In the year 2020, covid-19 happened and disturbed all aspirations, yet it failed to drench the growing spirits of space travel. After some time, the government planned to open the space market to private organizations.

 

Written by Parul Sharma