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The Geostationary Ring: Practice and Law addresses numerous physical aspects of this highly sought-after orbit which serves as the backbone for international satellite communications and analyses the evolution of its use, coordination and related disputes along with sovereignty claims over segments of the Geostationary Orbit.
The author, Martha MejÃa-Kaiser, discusses the increasing population of this orbital region with operational spacecraft, its pollution with man-made space debris, and the upcoming active space removal by external systems. Based on empirical data, the author analyses in unprecedented detail a measurable State practice in the efforts of keeping this orbital region operational, and addresses key legal questions with regard to the benefit and interests of all nations, equitable access and its economic and rationale use.
See inside the book.
The author, Martha MejÃa-Kaiser, discusses the increasing population of this orbital region with operational spacecraft, its pollution with man-made space debris, and the upcoming active space removal by external systems. Based on empirical data, the author analyses in unprecedented detail a measurable State practice in the efforts of keeping this orbital region operational, and addresses key legal questions with regard to the benefit and interests of all nations, equitable access and its economic and rationale use.
See inside the book.
Martha MejÃa-Kaiser, PhD in Political and Social Sciences (2003), Master in International Law (1993), is member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law. She has published a number of articles and chapters in books on international space law.
Winner of the 2023 Social Sciences Book Award, International Academy of Astronautics
âI had high expectations, and the author did not disappoint meâ¦.Dr. Martha MejÃa-Kaiser has accomplished a daunting task with amazing effectiveness. The result of all her research is a very complete book with law, policy and practice receiving the full attention they deserve. With the help of numerous drawings, figures, graphics and tables, the author has patiently and persistently educated the reader, and with a veritable plethora of footnotes she accounts forâand further expands onâeverything the main text offers....[E]verything you always wanted to know about the geostationary orbit/ring but were afraid to ask!â - Peter van Fenema, in Annals of Air and Space Law, McGill University, 2020
âIf there were any doubt that the law can best be elucidated and nuances explained by case study, this well-researched work by Dr MejÃa-Kaiser will put them to restâ¦. This is a well-written and thoughtful work that will interest not only those concerned with the geostationary ring and its use but also some of the fundamental principles of space law.â - Sa'id Mosteshar, in Space Policy, Elsevier (2022)
"In brief, this book contains much detail...Space law teachers could and probably would direct students to particular chapters or sections as supplementary to other works. However, university libraries and instituions where space law is taught should have it on their shelves. It is a good and useful contribution to the burgeoning literature of space law." - Professor Francis Lyall, in Zeitschrift für Luft- und Weltraumrecht
"'The Geostationary Ring: Practice and Law' can be recommended to all who are interested in the legal regime of the use not only of the GSO but also other areas of outer space...The title of the book promises information about practice and law, and readers will not be dissapointed. Indeed, if you lend this volume to a colleague, you will want to have it back in your library as fast as possible!" - Mahulena Hoffman and P.J. Blount in Journal or Air & Space Law, Kluwer, (2021), The Netherlands
"Dr. MejÃa Kaiser, member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law, has extensive expertise in this matter, developed from her first undergraduate work to her masterâs and doctorate studies. For this reason, the author offers us a unique opportunity with her work on practice and law in the geostationary ring, not only because it takes us into the essential content of space law, but also because it addresses complex technical issues around technology and the operation of satellites over the equatorial line." - Juan Manuel Portilla Gómez in Mexican Yearbook of International Law of the National Univ. of Mexico (AMDI)
âI had high expectations, and the author did not disappoint meâ¦.Dr. Martha MejÃa-Kaiser has accomplished a daunting task with amazing effectiveness. The result of all her research is a very complete book with law, policy and practice receiving the full attention they deserve. With the help of numerous drawings, figures, graphics and tables, the author has patiently and persistently educated the reader, and with a veritable plethora of footnotes she accounts forâand further expands onâeverything the main text offers....[E]verything you always wanted to know about the geostationary orbit/ring but were afraid to ask!â - Peter van Fenema, in Annals of Air and Space Law, McGill University, 2020
âIf there were any doubt that the law can best be elucidated and nuances explained by case study, this well-researched work by Dr MejÃa-Kaiser will put them to restâ¦. This is a well-written and thoughtful work that will interest not only those concerned with the geostationary ring and its use but also some of the fundamental principles of space law.â - Sa'id Mosteshar, in Space Policy, Elsevier (2022)
"In brief, this book contains much detail...Space law teachers could and probably would direct students to particular chapters or sections as supplementary to other works. However, university libraries and instituions where space law is taught should have it on their shelves. It is a good and useful contribution to the burgeoning literature of space law." - Professor Francis Lyall, in Zeitschrift für Luft- und Weltraumrecht
"'The Geostationary Ring: Practice and Law' can be recommended to all who are interested in the legal regime of the use not only of the GSO but also other areas of outer space...The title of the book promises information about practice and law, and readers will not be dissapointed. Indeed, if you lend this volume to a colleague, you will want to have it back in your library as fast as possible!" - Mahulena Hoffman and P.J. Blount in Journal or Air & Space Law, Kluwer, (2021), The Netherlands
"Dr. MejÃa Kaiser, member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Space Law, has extensive expertise in this matter, developed from her first undergraduate work to her masterâs and doctorate studies. For this reason, the author offers us a unique opportunity with her work on practice and law in the geostationary ring, not only because it takes us into the essential content of space law, but also because it addresses complex technical issues around technology and the operation of satellites over the equatorial line." - Juan Manuel Portilla Gómez in Mexican Yearbook of International Law of the National Univ. of Mexico (AMDI)
Foreword
Acknowledgements
List of Figures and Tables
Abbreviations
Introduction
1Physical Characteristics and Users of the Geostationary Orbit
â1âThe Way Leading to the Geostationary Orbit
â2âTypes of Orbits
â3âTwo Examples of Circular and Elliptical Orbits
â4âThe Geostationary Orbit
â5âGeosynchronous Orbits
â6âThe Geostationary Ring as a Three-Dimensional Body
â7âSome Natural Forces Influencing Satellite Positions
â8âUsers of the Geostationary Ring
â9âConclusion
2Basic Concepts of Space Law as Relevant to the Geostationary Ring
â1âSpace Law Legal and Political Multilateral Instruments
â2âBasic Concepts of Space Law
â3âState Responsibility in General
â4âState Responsibility for Space Activities
â5âLiability
â6âConclusion
3Sovereignty Claims with Respect to the Geostationary Ring
â1âThe Boundaries of Outer Space
â2âThe Bogotá Declaration
â3âPosition of Colombia
â4âPosition of Ecuador
â5âThe Unsubstantiated Position of Colombia and Ecuador
â6âConclusion
4Slots and Electromagnetic Frequencies
â1âBeginning of Space Communications
â2âBrief Historical Background ofITU âs Role with Regard to Geostationary Communications
â3âStepping Stones for Geostationary Slot and Frequency Coordination
â4âControversial and Peculiar Issues
â5âConclusion
5Space Traffic in the Geostationary Ring
â1âBusy Segments in the Geostationary Ring
â2âSharing Duties for Satellite Station-keeping
â3âTraffic Rules and Traffic Management
â4âConclusion
6Pollution of the Geostationary Ring
â1âGeneration of Space Debris
â2âSmall Space Debris
â3âSpace Surveillance
â4âInitial Efforts to Preserve the Geostationary Ring
â5âConclusion
7Re-orbiting into Graveyard Orbits
â1âThe Geostationary Ring as a Protected Region
â2âThe Price of Re-orbiting Satellites into Graveyard Orbits
â3âEvolution of theIADC Recommendations on âRe-orbitingâ into Customary Law?
â4âWill the âRe-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbitsâ Crystallize into a New Norm of International Customary Law?
â5âLegal Consequences If âRe-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbitsâ Crystallizes as a Norm
â6âLegal Consequences Even If No Norm Exists
â7âConclusion
8On-Orbit Servicing, Removal and Recycling of Space Debris
â1âThe State with Jurisdiction and Control
â2âOn-Orbit Servicing of Geostationary Satellites
â3âSalvage of Space Objects
â4âRecycling Space Objects
â5âResponsibility and Liability for On-orbit Servicing, Salvage and Recycling
â6âActive Space Debris Removal
â7âResponsibility and Liability for Removal
â8âRemoval of Hazardous Space Objects
â9âModel for the Distant Future: International Market Oriented Space Removal
â10âConclusion
9Unauthorised Cyber Activities
â1âBasic Technical Description of a Satellite System
â2âMethods to Access the Computer Systems of a Space System
â3âUnauthorised Access to Satellite Payload
â4âUnauthorised Access to Satellite Flight Systems
â5âUnauthorised Cyber Activities Under Telecommunications Law
â6âUnauthorised Cyber Activities in Space Law
â7âPhases of Unauthorised Cyber Activities
â8âRecommendations to Counteract Unauthorised Cyber Activities on Space Systems
â9âConclusion
10Future Systems
â1âSpace Solar Power Systems
â2âSpace Mirrors
â3âSpace Elevator
â4âOther Uses
â5âConclusion
Concluding Remarks
â1âMatters for Further Research
â2âThe Way Forward
Annex 1:IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines
Annex 2: Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations
Annex 3: Table about the Practice by States and International Organisations on Satellite Re-orbiting from 1999 to 2018
Annex 4: Proposal of an International Convention on the Removal of Hazardous Space Debris
Bibliography
Treaties, Other Instruments and Documents
Court Cases
Index
Acknowledgements
List of Figures and Tables
Abbreviations
Introduction
1Physical Characteristics and Users of the Geostationary Orbit
â1âThe Way Leading to the Geostationary Orbit
â2âTypes of Orbits
â3âTwo Examples of Circular and Elliptical Orbits
â4âThe Geostationary Orbit
â5âGeosynchronous Orbits
â6âThe Geostationary Ring as a Three-Dimensional Body
â7âSome Natural Forces Influencing Satellite Positions
â8âUsers of the Geostationary Ring
â9âConclusion
2Basic Concepts of Space Law as Relevant to the Geostationary Ring
â1âSpace Law Legal and Political Multilateral Instruments
â2âBasic Concepts of Space Law
â3âState Responsibility in General
â4âState Responsibility for Space Activities
â5âLiability
â6âConclusion
3Sovereignty Claims with Respect to the Geostationary Ring
â1âThe Boundaries of Outer Space
â2âThe Bogotá Declaration
â3âPosition of Colombia
â4âPosition of Ecuador
â5âThe Unsubstantiated Position of Colombia and Ecuador
â6âConclusion
4Slots and Electromagnetic Frequencies
â1âBeginning of Space Communications
â2âBrief Historical Background of
â3âStepping Stones for Geostationary Slot and Frequency Coordination
â4âControversial and Peculiar Issues
â5âConclusion
5Space Traffic in the Geostationary Ring
â1âBusy Segments in the Geostationary Ring
â2âSharing Duties for Satellite Station-keeping
â3âTraffic Rules and Traffic Management
â4âConclusion
6Pollution of the Geostationary Ring
â1âGeneration of Space Debris
â2âSmall Space Debris
â3âSpace Surveillance
â4âInitial Efforts to Preserve the Geostationary Ring
â5âConclusion
7Re-orbiting into Graveyard Orbits
â1âThe Geostationary Ring as a Protected Region
â2âThe Price of Re-orbiting Satellites into Graveyard Orbits
â3âEvolution of the
â4âWill the âRe-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbitsâ Crystallize into a New Norm of International Customary Law?
â5âLegal Consequences If âRe-orbiting of Geostationary Satellites into Graveyard Orbitsâ Crystallizes as a Norm
â6âLegal Consequences Even If No Norm Exists
â7âConclusion
8On-Orbit Servicing, Removal and Recycling of Space Debris
â1âThe State with Jurisdiction and Control
â2âOn-Orbit Servicing of Geostationary Satellites
â3âSalvage of Space Objects
â4âRecycling Space Objects
â5âResponsibility and Liability for On-orbit Servicing, Salvage and Recycling
â6âActive Space Debris Removal
â7âResponsibility and Liability for Removal
â8âRemoval of Hazardous Space Objects
â9âModel for the Distant Future: International Market Oriented Space Removal
â10âConclusion
9Unauthorised Cyber Activities
â1âBasic Technical Description of a Satellite System
â2âMethods to Access the Computer Systems of a Space System
â3âUnauthorised Access to Satellite Payload
â4âUnauthorised Access to Satellite Flight Systems
â5âUnauthorised Cyber Activities Under Telecommunications Law
â6âUnauthorised Cyber Activities in Space Law
â7âPhases of Unauthorised Cyber Activities
â8âRecommendations to Counteract Unauthorised Cyber Activities on Space Systems
â9âConclusion
10Future Systems
â1âSpace Solar Power Systems
â2âSpace Mirrors
â3âSpace Elevator
â4âOther Uses
â5âConclusion
Concluding Remarks
â1âMatters for Further Research
â2âThe Way Forward
Annex 1:
Annex 2: Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations
Annex 3: Table about the Practice by States and International Organisations on Satellite Re-orbiting from 1999 to 2018
Annex 4: Proposal of an International Convention on the Removal of Hazardous Space Debris
Bibliography
Treaties, Other Instruments and Documents
Court Cases
Index
This study serves to students, professors and researchers of law, political sciences, space engineering and space debris. It is also valuable for researchers and managers in space agencies, international organizations and private companies, as well as diplomats engaged in fora as UN COPUOS and ITU. This work is also of particular interest to the insurance sector and policy and law makers of any country.
