Entitled ‘International relations in outer space through a legal prism’ This course offers an in-depth analysis of international relations and the legal framework relating to human activities in outer space, and is open to students from all disciplines.
Teachers
Katia Coutant (Paris-Nanterre University ) and Alban Guyomarc’h (Assas University)
Course outline
After an introduction to the fundamental concepts of international relations and law, which are essential for understanding space issues, the semester is devoted to studying the major themes and issues of space law, ranging from privatisation to environmental protection.
The course provides an overview of the history of human activities in space, highlighting non-Eurocentric influences. The construction of outer space law in the context of the Cold War through to modern space law will be the subject of further study, providing an insight into the current framework applicable to space activities.
The major issues relating to outer space, such as the question of space as a ‘commons’, the military uses of outer space and the principle of scientific freedom, are examined in depth.
This course therefore provides an introduction to the legal foundations of outer space and the related international relations issues.
The major issues relating to outer space, such as the question of space as a ‘commons’, the military uses of outer space and the principle of scientific freedom, are examined in depth.
This course therefore provides an insight into the legal foundations of outer space and the related international relations issues.
The course also looks at the principles governing the sending and use of satellites in outer space. The course also deals with the role of technical standards in international cooperation and the control of space technologies, and national legislative innovations influencing global space law. Finally, environmental challenges, such as space debris and the exploitation of lunar natural resources, are analysed from a legal perspective, showing the efforts to regulate and manage these issues within an international framework.
All these issues are considered in the light of the current trend towards the privatisation and commercialisation of outer space. The consequences of this on the balance of power in outer space, both between powerful players and in the changing roles of States and players who did not take part in the space race in the twentieth century, are covered.