International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: COPUOS

Why in the News?

In December 2024, a 500 kg metal object crashed in Makueni County, Kenya, highlighting the growing concern over uncontrolled satellite re-entries, for which the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) remains accountable.

It has yet to implement binding regulations on space debris disposal and re-entry control.

About the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

  • The COPUOS was established in 1958 to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and address legal issues related to space exploration.
  • The committee currently has 102 member states (as of 2022) and meets annually in Vienna, Austria.
  • COPUOS plays a key role in preventing the militarization of space and ensuring responsible space activity.
  • Historical Context:
    • Established following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, COPUOS was instrumental in preventing space from becoming a new conflict zone.
    • Resolution 1721 (1961) declared that international law applies in outer space and directed states to report all space launches to the UN public registry.
  • Subcommittees:
    • Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (meets in February).
    • Legal Subcommittee (meets in April).

Space Treaties overseen by COPUOS:

  • COPUOS oversees five key UN treaties and agreements related to space activities:
  1. Outer Space Treaty (1967):  Establishes principles for space exploration and prohibits national sovereignty over celestial bodies.
  2. Rescue Agreement (1968): Governs the rescue and return of astronauts and space objects.
  3. Liability Convention (1972): Defines responsibility for damage caused by space objects, introducing absolute liability for damages on Earth.
  4. Registration Convention (1976): Requires states to register launched space objects with the UN.
  5. Moon Treaty (1984): Regulates activities on the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Defining Space Debris in Law

  • Space debris has no universally accepted legal definition in international treaties.
  • The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) defines it as non-functional man-made objects in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere.
  • Legal disputes arise over whether a piece of debris qualifies as a “space object” under the 1972 Liability Convention.

Liability Under International Space Law

  • Outer Space Treaty (1967), Article VI: States bear responsibility for national space activities, including those by private companies.
  • Liability Convention (1972): Introduced “absolute liability”, meaning launching states are automatically responsible for damage caused by space objects.
    • However, liability enforcement remains weak, and affected nations often struggle to claim full compensation.

 

PYQ:

[2014] International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand by ‘airspace’? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.

 

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