Overview Preface IX XIII Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Applicable legal regime and legal classification of space tourists S 1.1 Applicable legal regime 6 1.2 Legal characterisation of space tourists 29 Chapter 2 Criminal law and security issues 39 2.1 Criminal jurisdiction and crimes in international law 40 2.2 Preventive measures 54 2.3 Disciplinary authority 57 Conclusion on criminal law and security issues 59 Chapter 3 Private International Law 61 3.1 Judicial jurisdiction 61 3.2 Choice of Laws 72 Conclusion on private international law 82 Chapter 4 Contractual claims 85 4.1 International Law 86 4.2 National and regional regulations on liability 101 4.3 Personal accident insurance 123 4.4 Liability of travel sellers 124 Conclusion on contractual claims 127 Chapter 5 Extra-contractual claims 129 5.1 Collisions with other flying objects 129 5.2 Negligent certification 147 5.3 Product liability 155 5.4 Liability of spaceport operators 169 5.5 Third-party liability of SFPs 172 Conclusion on extra-contractual claims 173 Legal status of space tourists in commercial suborbital flights: Current situation and outlook to the future 175 Current situation 175 Outlook to the future 178 XI Bibliografische Informationen http://d-nb.info/1017010617 digitalisiert durch
Overview Der Rechtsstatus der Weltraumtouristen im Rahmen kommerzieller suborbitaler Flüge - Zusammenfassung 193 1. Gegenwärtiger Stand 193 2. Ausblick in die Zukunft 198 Annex - Examples of suborbital vehicles 203 Abbreviations 205 Bibliography 209 Index 225 XII
Preface Overview... Introduction Chapter 1 Applicable legal regime and legal classification of space tourists 1.1 Applicable legal regime 1.1.1 Spatial theories 1.1.1.1 Physical boundaries 1.1.1.2 Conventional boundary 1.1.1.3 Customary boundary 1.1.1.3.1 International customary law in general 1.1.1.3.2 The altitude of the lowest perigee of satellites and international customary law 1.1.1.3.2.1 The views in theory 1.1.1.3.2.2 Evaluation of the views on customary boundary of outer space.1.1.4 Arguments presented in favour and against spatialism..1.1.5 General evaluation of spatialism 1.1.2 Functional theory 1.1.2.1 Arguments presented in favour and against functionalism!. 1.2.2 General evaluation of the functional theory 1.1.3 The UNCOPUOS questionnaire on legal issues of the aerospace planes. 1.1.4 Legal nature of suborbital vehicles 1.1.4.1 Suborbital vehicles as aircraft 1.1.4.1.1 Technical definition of'aircraft'.1.4.1.2 Spatial definition of'aircraft' 1.1.4.2 Suborbital vehicles as space objects 1.1.4.2.1 Definition of'space object'.1.4.2.1.1 Orbital capacity!. 1.4.2.1.2 Launch 1.4.2.1.3 Beginning of launch 1.1.4.2.1,4 Conclusion on suborbital vehicles as space objects. 1.1.4.3 The role of registration 1.1.4.4 Conclusion on the legal nature of suborbital vehicles 1.1.5 Conclusion on the applicable legal regime. 1.2 Legal characterisation of space tourists 1.2.1 Space Treaties 1.2.1.1 Astronauts as envoys of mankind - Art. V OST 1.2.1.1.1 Astronauts as possessing supranational status... 1.2.1.1.2 Envoys of mankind as lacking practical importance 1.2.1.1.3 Evaluation 1.2.1.2 Assistance and salvage - Rescue Agreement IX XI 1 6 7 7 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 19 19 20 20 20 21 23 23 25 26 26 27 29 29 29 30 31 31 32 XIII
1.2.1.3 Rescue provisions of the Moon Agreement 32 1.2.2 Other instruments of space law 33 1.2.2.1 ISS 33 1.2.2.2 US legislation 34 1.2.3.1 Ordinary meaning 34 1.2.3.2 Context 35 1.2.3.3 Object and purpose 35 1.2.3.4 Intermediate conclusion 36 1.2.4 Applicability of the Space Treaties to space tourists 37 1.2.5 Conclusion on legal characterisation of the space tourists 38 Chapter 2 Criminal law and security issues 39 2.1 Criminal jurisdiction and crimes in international law 40 2.1.1 General remarks 40 2.1.1.1 Distinctions and principles of international criminal jurisdiction 40 2.1.1.2 Concurrent jurisdictions 41 2.1.1.3 Nullum crimen sine lege 42 2.1.1.4 Extradition 42 2.1.2 Criminal jurisdiction and crimes in international air law 42 2.1.2.1 The Chicago Convention 43 2.1.2.2 The Tokyo Convention 43 2.1.2.2.1 Applicability to suborbital flights 43 2.1.2.2.2 The provisions of the Convention 43 2.1.2.3 The Hague Convention 44 2.1.2.4 The Montreal Convention and the Montreal Protocol 45 2.1.2.5 Addressing new and emerging threats in aviation 46 2.1.2.6 ICAO Assembly Resolution on Unruly Passengers 46 2.1.3 Criminal jurisdiction and crimes in international space law 47 2.1.3.1 Jurisdiction and control 48 2.1.3.2 Personnel 49 2.1.3.4 Concurrent jurisdictions 50 2.1.3.5 Applicability to suborbital flights 51 2.1.4 International criminal jurisdiction and crimes in national laws 51 2.1.5 Conclusion on mternational criminal jurisdiction and crimes 52 2.2 Preventive measures 54 2.2.1 International law-annex 17 to the CC 54 2.2.2 US law 54 2.2.3 EU law and other national legislations 55 2.2.4 Conclusion on preventive measures 56 2.3 Disciplinary authority 57 2.3.1 Air law 57 2.3.2 Space law 58 2.3.3 Conclusion on disciplinary authority 59 Conclusion on criminal law and security issues 59 Chapter 3 Private International Law 61 3.1 Judicial jurisdiction 61 XIV
3.1.1 US law 61 3.1.1.1 General requirements 62 3.1.1.2 Forum-selection clauses 63 3.1.1.3 Forum non conveniens 63 3.1.2 European Union law 63 3.1.2.1 General rule 64 3.1.2.2 Special jurisdiction 64 3.1.2.3 Forum non conveniens 65 3.1.3 Russian Federation 65 3.1.4 International air law 66 3.1.4.1 Passenger liability of the air carrier 66 3.1.4.1.1 Applicability de lege lata 66 3.1.4.1.2 Competent courts 67 3.1.4.1.3 Applicability de lege ferenda 69 3.1.4.2 Third-party liability of the aircraft operator 70 3.1.4.2.1 Applicability de lege lata 70 3.1.4.2.2 Competent courts 71 3.1.4.2.3 Applicability de lege ferenda 71 3.1.5 Conclusion on judicial jurisdiction 72 3.2 Choice of Laws 72 3.2.1 US law 72 3.2.1.1 Territorial or vested-rights theory 73 3.2.1.2 Most significant relationship 73 3.2.1.3 Governmental interests and comparative impairment 74 3.2.1.4 Choice influencing considerations 74 3.2.1.5 Combined approach or eclecticism 75 3.2.1.6 Pervasive problems 75 3.2.2 European Union 76 3.2.2.1 Contractual obligations 76 3.2.2.1 Contractual obligations 76 3.2.2.1.1 Freedom of choice 76 3.2.2.1.2 Applicable law in the absence of choice 77 3.2.2.1.3 Consumer contracts 78 3.2.2.2 Torts 78 3.2.2.2.1 General rule 78 3.2.2.2.2 Product liability 79 3.2.2.2.3 Freedom of choice 80 3.2.3 Russian Federation 80 3.2.3.1 Contracts 80 3.2.3.2 Torts 81 3.2.4 Conclusion on choice-of-laws 81 Conclusion on private mternational law 82 Chapter 4 Contractual claims 85 4.1 mternational Law 86 4.1.1 International air law 86 4.1.1.1 Applicability of international air law on air carrier liability to suborbital flights de lege lata 86 4.1.1.2 Main characteristics of the Warsaw Convention 87 XV
4.1.1.2.1 Establishment of the operator's liability under the Warsaw Convention 87 4.1.1.2.1.1 Risks covered-'accident' 87 4.1.1.2.1.2 Compensation for mental injuries 89 4.1.1.2.1.3 Liability period of the operator under the Warsaw Convention 90 4.1.1.2.1.4 Defences of operators under the Warsaw Convention.. 91 4.1.1.2.1.5 Unlimited liability of operators 92 4.1.1.3 From Warsaw to Montreal - Amendments to the Warsaw Convention 93 4.1.1.4 The Montreal Convention of 1999 94 4.1.1.5 Applicability of the Warsaw Convention and Montreal Convention to suborbital flights de lege ferenda 95 4.1.1.5.1 Uniform rules in the spirit of the Warsaw System 96 4.1.1.1 Structure of the operator's liability 96 4.1.1.2 Accident 97 4.1.1.3 Mental injuries 97 4.1.1.4 Liability period 98 4.1.1.5 Liability of the actual carrier 98 4.1.1.5.2 Uniform rules in the spirit of the Montreal Convention. 99 4.1.1.5.3 Conclusion on the applicability of international air law to suborbital flights 99 4.1.2 International space law-the 1972 Liability Convention 99 4.1.2.1 Applicability to suborbital flights de lege lata 99 4.1.2.2 Main characteristics of the Liability Convention and applicability to suborbital flights 100 4.2 National and regional regulations on liability 101 4.2.1 Common law 102 4.2.1.1 Common carriers and private carriers 102 4.2.1.2 Suborbital operators as carriers 103 4.2.2 The law in the US 105 4.2.2.1 The CSLAA and the FAA Human Spaceflight Requirements 105 4.2.2.2.1 Informed consent 106 4.2.2.2.3 The policy behind the requirement for informed consent and its consequences 108 4.2.2.2 Exculpatory agreements on liability under US law 110 4.2.2.2.1 Assumption of risk 110 4.2.2.2.2 Liability waivers 110 4.2.2.2.3 Enforceability of liability waivers Ill 4.2.2.3 Informed consent and ITAR 112 4.2.2.4 Special case: Liability for incompetent or insufficiently trained crewmembers 113 4.2.2.5 State statutes 114 4.2.2.6 Conclusion on contractual claims under US law 116 4.2.3 The law in Europe and in the Russian Federation 116 4.2.3.1 EU law 116 4.2.3.1.1 Liability of air carriers in the EU 116 4.2.3.1.2 Contractual exclusions of liability under EU law 117 4.2.3.2 French law 119 4.2.3.3 German law 120 4.2.3.4 UK law 120 4.2.3.5 Russian law 121 XVI
4.2.3.6 Conclusion on contractual claims under the law in Europe and in the Russian Federation 4.3 Personal accident insurance 4.4 Liability of travel sellers 124 4.4.1 US law 125 4.4.2 EU law 126 4.4.3 Conclusion on liability of travel sellers 126 Conclusion on contractual claims 127 Chapter 5 Extra-contractual claims 129 5.1 Collisions with other flying objects 129 1 International law 129 1.1 International space law 130 1.1.1 International State responsibility and liability 1. 1. 1. 5 5 5 5.2.3.4.4.1.4.2.1.1.4.3 122 123 distinguished 130 International responsibility of States 130 International liability of States 131 International responsibility in space law 132 Content of international responsibility in space law... 132 National activities 133 Appropriate State 133.1.4.3.1 The views in literature 133.1.4.3.2 Interpretation of appropriate State by national legislations 134.1.4.3.3 Conclusion on appropriate State 135.1.4.4 Consequences for suborbital flights 135.1.5 International liability in space law 136.1.5.1 Launching State 136 1.5.2 Launching State and private space activities 137 1.5.3 Extent of liability 138 1.5.4 Exoneration 139 5.1.5.5 Compensation and damage 139 5.1.5.6 Settlement of claims 140 5.1.5.7 Applicability to suborbital flights 140 1.2 International air law 140.2.1.2.2 The 1952 Rome Convention The 2009 Montreal Conventions on third party liability 141 of aircraft operators 141,2.2.1 Applicability to suborbital flights 141,2.2.2 Type of liability 142.2.2.3 Damages covered 142.2.2.4 Applicability de lege ferenda 143 2 Domestic law 143 2.1 Liability of aircraft operators 143 2.2 Liability of ATS providers 144 3 Conclusion on collisions with other flying objects 146 5.2 Negligent certification 147 5.2.1 International law 147 XVII
5.2.1.1 International space law 147 5.2.1.2 International air law '48 5.2.2 National laws 149 5.2.2.1 EU law 149 5.2.2.1.1 Certification of suborbital vehicles 149 5.2.2.1.2 Liability for negligent certification 150 5.2.2.2 US law 152 5.2.2.2.1 Certification of suborbital vehicles 152 5.2.2.2.2 Liability for negligent certification 153 5.2.3 Conclusion on liability for negligent certification 154 5.3 Product liability 155 5.3.1 US law 155 5.3.1.1 Notion of defectiveness 155 5.3.1.2 Types of defects 156 5.3.1.3 Bases of liability 157 5.3.1.3.1 The negligence theory 157 5.3.1.3.2 The warranty theory 159 5.3.1.3.3 Strict liability in tort 160 5.3.1.3 Defences 161 5.3.1.4 Punitive damages 162 5.3.1.5 Immunity from liability for manufacturers of suborbital equipment.. 163 5.3.2 EU law 163 5.3.2.1 Defective Product 164 5.3.2.2 Producer 164 5.3.2.3 Damage 164 5.3.2.4 Strict liability and defences 165 5.3.2.5 Concurrent domestic laws 166 5.3.3 Russian Federation 166 5.3.3.1 Consumer Protection Act 166 5.3.3.1.1 Notion of defect 166 5.3.3.1.2 Strict liability and defences 167 5.3.3.2 Liability pursuant to the Russian Civil Code 167 5.3.4 Conclusion on product liability claims 168 5.4 Liability of spaceport operators 169 5.4.1 US federal law 169 5.4.2 US state law 170 5.4.3 Liability of airport operators 171 5.4.4 Conclusion on liability of spaceport operators 172 5.5 Third-party liability of SFPs 172 Conclusion on extra-contractual claims 173 Legal status of space tourists in commercial suborbital flights: Current situation and outlook to the future 175 Current situation 175 Outlook to the future 17g XVIII
Der Rechtsstatus der Weltraumtouristen im Rahmen kommerzieller suborbitaler Flüge - Zusammenfassung 193 1. Gegenwärtiger Stand 193 2. Ausblick in die Zukunft 198 Annex - Examples of suborbital vehicles 203 Abbreviations 205 Bibliography 209 Index 225 XIX