Yan Ling
Biography
Yan Ling is Professor at China University of Political Science and Law. She operates as Director at the Research Center for International Criminal Law and International Humanitarian Law and as Deputy Director at Research Center for Air and Space Law of the University. She is also editor-in-chief of the Chinese Yearbook of International Law. In the past, she has been active as a visiting professional at International Criminal Court (2009). She has been working as a legal officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) from 1998 until 2004. Furthermore, she has been a visiting scholar at the International Institute of air and space law at Leiden University for a year (1990-1991). She studied international law and organizations from 1991 until1992 at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands and at China University of Political Science and Law she studied international law. She has published numerous articles and several books including The Theory and Practice of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwandaï¼›Making Peace through Justice; International Criminal Law; New Legal Issues of Space Law; A Commentary on the Rome Statute; Cases on International Law; The Hague Trial - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and International Law etc.
Abstract
The Future of Space Law
The international space legal regime was established in the early years of the space age, primarily by five international treaties. Space technology has never stopped developing since the first satellite was successfully launched into orbit in 1959. However, international space law lags far behind and has not adapted to new situations. This think piece presents the current problems such as space debris and space weapons, which have an adverse impact on national security and space safety, have not been fully addressed by the existing space law treaties. It also foresees some future legal problems arising from active involvement of private enterprises and individuals in space activities and increased missions to explore the Moon, other celestial bodies and their natural resources. It then analyzes different approaches to address these issues such as amendment or review of current treaty provisions, conclusion of new treaties, making guidelines or code of conduct etc. It concludes that a code of conduct, though not legally binding, may be the first step towards the full prohibition of space weapons. Space debris is a problem that must be solved with political volition, technical measures and a legal framework. As to the private participation in space activities and further exploration and exploitation of the Moon and other celestial bodies, there may be a need to make legal regimes with more details to govern these space activities. It also envisages that the scope of space law will expand to be much broader and more complex in the future.
