About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


36 J. Space L. 253 (2010)
Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes: Non-Militarization, Non-Aggression and Prevention of Weaponization

handle is hein.journals/jrlsl36 and id is 261 raw text is: USE OF OUTER SPACE FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES: NON-MILITARIZATION, NON-AGGRESSION AND PREVENTION OF WEAPONIZATION Jinyuan Su* I. INTRODUCTION The use [of outer space] for peaceful purposes is one of the guiding principles for the global commons, which includes Ant- arctica, outer space, and the high seas. However, this principle is currently being challenged or even derogated in one way or another. This is particularly true in the context of outer space, which since the inception of human exploration has been one of the major issues for political contention. States, while agreeing to use outer space for peaceful purposes in principle, interpret its use in divergent manners, particularly with regard to non- militarization and non-aggression. As the militarization- aggression debate continues fruitlessly, the issue of space weaponization has become one of the top agendas in various international fora. The use of outer space for peaceful purposes is governed by a body of U.N.-based multilateral treaties and bilateral treaties between the two adversaries of the Cold War-the former Soviet Union and United States.! Apart from the outer space treaty system, there are arms control and disarmament agreements relating to outer space. Among these agreements, for the pur- pose of preserving the peaceful use of outer space, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celes- . PhD candidate, The Silk Road Institute of International Law, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China; Visiting fellow, the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, Uni- versity of Cambridge, UIL ' After the dissolution of USSR, Russia succeeded to its membership in interna- tional organizations, including a permanent membership in the Security Council, and rights and obligations under the international treaties in which USSR was a party. 253