Benefits Arising from Space Activities and the Needs of Developing Countries

CASTILLO ARGAÑARAS, LUIS F

Proceedings of the 43rd Colloquium of International Institute of Space Law and 51st International Astronautical Congress

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Lugar: Houston- USA.; Año: 2001 vol. 43 p. 50 - 58

Space technology has triggered an important impact in the field of international relations as a result of developing countries having become involved in space activities . Special reference will be made in this paper to the example of Argentina. Article I, 1 paragraph of the 1967 Space Treaty lays down the general principle that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. The paragraph of this Article establishes freedom of access for all without discrimination of any kind. Most of us are aware of the problems of developing countries in achieving “space benefits”. In a certain measure Space Law would be providing the solution on the basis of international cooperation which, in the field of outer space, is viewed as an obligation and not just as an expression of ideals. In this sense, the paper will focus on the various sections of the Corpus Juris Spatialis, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions, particularly the Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of all States taking into particular account the Needs of Developing Countries (Res. 51/122).