If you saw the video of Jason Isaacman in a SpaceX spaceship, you might wonder who is responsible if something goes wrong. International space laws go back to 1967 with the Outer Space Treaty. It says that only states, like the US, can be responsible for space activities, even those by private companies like SpaceX.
The US government has rules for air travel, but space travel has fewer regulations. The SPACE Act of 2015 allows private astronauts to handle safety concerns with companies like SpaceX. This rule is set to change in 2025, bringing clarity on who is responsible for private astronauts.
Another issue is the increasing number of satellites in space, affecting astronomers. Regulations are needed to control satellite launches from companies like SpaceX. Policy experts suggest updating the Outer Space Treaty to solve these modern problems.
Vocabulary List:
- Responsible /rɪˈspɒnsəbl/ (adjective): Having an obligation to do something for someone or having control over someone.
- Regulation /ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/ (noun): A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
- Astronaut /ˈæstrəˌnɔt/ (noun): A person trained to travel in a spacecraft.
- Clarity /ˈklærɪti/ (noun): The quality of being clear and easy to understand.
- Satellite /ˈsætəˌlaɪt/ (noun): A celestial body orbiting around a planet or a man-made device placed in orbit.
- Policy /ˈpɒlɪsi/ (noun): A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
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