4th Eilene M. Galloway Symposium on Critical Issues in Space Law: Peaceful Purposes and Uses of Outer Space – Panel 1

December 10, 2009 at 8:40 pm | Posted in Blogcast, Space Law Current Events | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

The first panel of the day was titled Peaceful Purposes and Uses Considered and consisted of the following presentations:

Peaceful Purposes: A Norm in International Law?
-P.J. Blount, Research Counsel, National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law

Redefining National Security and the Role of International Law to Secure Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
-Dr. Colleen Driscoll, Director, The Kurtz Institute of Peacemaking, Visiting Professor, Quinnipiac University

Economic and Societal Benefits of Peace in Space: Today and Tomorrow
-Corinne Jorgenson, Pres., Advancing Space Consulting Group and Marcia Smith, Pres., Space and Technology Policy Group, LLC

Equity and Transparency in the New “Province of Mankind”
Dr. Valnora Leister, Brazil

International Legal Regime for Security of Exploration and Use of Outer Space For Peaceful Purposes
-Olga Stelmakh, Specialist, International Center for Space Law, Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv

This panel sought to evaluate the meaning of peaceful purposes through a variety of different viewpoints. Blount sought to evaluate the term peaceful purposes in relation to outer space activities by examining the terms usage in other areas of international law such as nuclear technologies, biological and chemical weapons, Antarctica, the high seas, and the environment (presentation). Driscoll’s presentation discussed national security and how a re-conceptualization of the term was crucial to ensuring the peaceful uses. She stated that international law should develop a comprehensive treaty based system in order to promote both national security and space security, and that it is in the best interest of every State to to keep space peaceful. Smith and Jorgensen’s paper focused how society benefits from space activities. Specifically, it covered both economic and societal benefits in space activities. They concluded that the Outer Space Treaty had stood the test of time and that it was and important instrument in preserving outer space for humanity. The next presentation, by Valnora Leister, highlighted how equity and transparency in space activities are crucial in the peaceful uses of outer space. She put forth several strategies for advancing global participation in space activities, such as engaging civil society, working with emerging space powers, applying international environmental law standards, and applying new concepts of governments. Finally, Stelmakh’s paper was presented by Jonathan Galloway as Stelmakh was unable to attend the symposium. Her paper also argued for a broader definition of national security. She argued for a new international organization for governing outer space, the realization of common security goals for nations in outer space, and a positive law regime with identifiable consequences.