paper
- Go to http://www.unoosa.org (Links to an external site.) and retrieve and read the 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space
- View the Dr. Gerardine Goh Escolar video “Jurisdiction and Control over Space Objects” in the UN Audiovisual Library (legal.un.org/avl/ (Links to an external site.))
- Using materials from links on the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs website, the Journal of Space Law (e.g., Frans von der Dunk, “A Sleeping Beauty Awakens: The 1968 Rescue Agreement after 40 Years.” v.34/#2 (Winter 2008), and other resources such as The Space Review and the Escolar video (Googling is encouraged), write a 4-7 page double-spaced essay (footnoted with bibliography) on the following:
Summarize the Articles of the Rescue Agreement
Who is bound by the Treaty?
Who pays for rescue efforts?
What happens if one or more astronauts asked for political asylum (did not want to go back to their launching state)
How soon must objects be returned to the state of registry?
Do municipal admiralty laws of salvage (abandonment) have any applicability in space concerning space objects in contrast to those that return to Earth? [see N. Jasentuliyana, “Regulation of Space Salvage Operations” in Journal of Space Law, v. 22/#1 (1994)]
Are private entities, tourists, and space hotels (rather than space stations) covered by the Agreement? [see Stephen Hobe, “Space Tourism Activities” in Journal of Space Law, v.33/#2 Winter 2007) and Melanie Walker, “Suborbital Space Tourism Flight” in same issue]