Interstellar Governance

Legislation for Space Commercialization and Extra-terrestrial Ventures across India and Beyond

Abstract

We humans have been transcending the confines of what we think and pursue, the world since time immemorial has seen the creation of great inventions. The journey of exploration has extended outside earthly bounds. Outer space has been a subject of curiosity for major powers of the world, missions have been sent to space by these powers to secure dominance over interstellar activities. Looking at these developments, the international treaties, rules and statutes have been framed, and regulated by organisations such as the United Nations. The present scenario indicates a strong need for laws pertaining to space, especially in the wake of hyperactive commercialisation taking place in domestic and international spheres.

The purpose of this article is to explain the way in which a necessity of elaborated space legislation is required, and how these laws can be incorporated in the Indian context, given the prevalence of the privatisation process being carried on in the Indian space industry. The authors herein suggest the presence of uniform legislation with regard to these endeavours, India possessing one of the largest space agencies of the world requires a robust framework to enhance and govern the role of corporate and private entities by virtue of amending and updating the present statutory mechanism.