Commercialisation and Privatisation of Outer Space: Issues for National Space Legislation

R Venkata Rao and Kumar Abhijeet

This book is a compilation of the papers presented in a round table conference on “Commercialisation and Privatisation of Outer Space: Issues for National Space Legislation” organised by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, in association with TMT Law Practice, New Delhi.

The book is the first of its kind as it contains a compilation of scholarly papers written by space experts, drawing from the experiences of academicians, attorneys and those in the industry reflecting upon the commercial aspect of space activities and the underlying legal landscape governing them. It addresses the necessity for private sector participation in outer space and the need for a national space legislation for India. It discusses India’s international obligation; reflects upon relevant principles and rules of the international space law; studies the laws of spacefaring nations and outlines the minimum legislative agenda as to what should be the content of such a legislation. It also discusses legal issues relating to commercial space activities like remote sensing and space transportation. Privatisation aspects of the PSLVs have also been discussed.

This book is of relevance not only to students, researchers, scholars, academicians in the field of outer space but also to all those interested in the rule of law in outer space including government officials, industry executives, specialists and lawyers.

R Venkata Rao and Kumar Abhijeet Prof. (Dr) R. Venkata Rao is a Professor of Law and Vice-Chancellor at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Prof. Rao has more than 31 years of teaching experience and has the distinction of receiving the Best Vice Chancellor Award for an outstanding contribution to education; Best Teacher Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh; Best Researcher Award from the Andhra University and a Gold Medal for the Best PhD Thesis. He has extensive publications to his credit in the journals of national and international repute, apart from presenting numerous papers at various national and international conferences. He has held a number of distinguished administrative positions in various governmental bodies and academic institutions.

Mr Kumar Abhijeet is Assistant Professor at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and also a Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law, University of Cologne, Germany. He has quite a few publications to his credit in the journals of national and international repute. He was awarded twice for ‘Best Paper Presentation’ at two distinct international conferences. Mr Abhijeet is a member of the International Institute of Space Law. He has the honour of holding some prestigious fellowships as well.

Contnets
Acknowledgements
About the Editors
About the Contributors
Message from Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Space
Prologue

Articles
1. Potentials of Private Participation in the Indian Space Sector: Policy and Legal Needs
K. R. Sridhara Murthi
2. State Responsibility for the Space Activities of Private Actors
G. S. Sachdeva
3. National Space Legislation: What International Law Demands and How it is Implemented
Stephan Hobe
4. Commercialisation of Remote Sensing and Geo-Spatial Data: The Emerging Legal Jargons
V. Balakista Reddy
5. On Drafting A Viable Model of National Space Legislation for India
Sandeepa Bhat B.
6. State Practices Towards National Space Legislation
Kumar Abhijeet
7. Perspectives on Global Space Transport that may Begin Operations in Due Course
Saligram Bhatt
8. Manifesto for PSLV Privatisation
Susmita Mohanty
9. Space Law for Space Commerce or Vice Versa: A Chicken-and-Egg Situation for Space Commerce in India?
Narayan Prasad
10. Policy Framework for Commercial Space Activities
Ashok G. V.
11. Commercialisation and Privatisation of Outer Space: Exploiting the Commercial Value of Space
D. S. Govindrajan

Brief Comments 1. Space Law in the Age of Privatisation and Commercialisation 123
Saligram Bhatt
2. Institutionalisation of Space Law in India
Malay Adhikari
3. The Private Space Activity Regulator’s Role in the Space Environment Protection: A Policy Snapshot
Deva Prasad M.
4. Need for a Business Incubation in the Indian Space Programme
Prateep Basu

Annexures
1. The ILA Model Law
Stephan Hobe
2. A National Space Law for India: Deconstructing the Proposition
Ranjana Kaul
3. The Bangalore Declaration
4. The Conference Programme Schedule