International Legal Issues on Developing Space Solar Power Station Institute of Space Law, Beijing Institute of Technology Prof. Dr. Shouping Li.

International Legal Issues on

Developing Space Solar Power

Station

Institute of Space Law, Beijing Institute

of Technology

Prof. Dr. Shouping Li

I. International Legal Issues Concering to Developing Space Solar Power Station

Space-based platform: collect and convert solar into electricity (solar array panel, laser converter panel)

Wireless power transmission system: microwave or laser transmission

Ground receiver system:

• 1.Large space-based axchitecture need hundreds lunchs. It will generate large number of space debris.

• 2.The operation of SPS will occupy orbit sources and space solar resources for long-term.

• 3.The laser or microwave may interfere other state’s satellite or cause damage to the ground.

• 4.SPS can directly provide energy to military infrastructure. Solar energy canbe used as weather weapon.

II. The existing international Law regulating the development and operation of SPS

1. Some principles of international space law can be applied to the development and operation of SPS.

peaceful use of outer space;

Not subject to national appropriation;

• 2. article 4 of Outer Space Treaty and Environmental Modification Convention can indirectly regulate the development and operation of SPS

3. The existing regulations on space debris mitigation are law sources for the development and operation of SPS ；

4. Liability Convention and Articles on State Reponsibility can be applied to the development and operation of SPS;

5. Article 9 of Outer Space Treaty is a important legal source for the development and operation of SPS .

Challenges：The challenges to the principle of peaceful

use of outer space.Is weather weapon a kind of weapons of

mass distruction?Can SPS be a military installation or

fortification?The challenges to the principle of not subject

to national appropriation. can Solar and orbit sources be regarded as

outer space ?

The challenges to the principle of freely use and exploriation of outer space.

the generation of a large number of space debris;

Ooccupation of extensive orbit .The challenges to current space liability

regime.Damage caused by laser or microwave?

III. Construction of International Legal Regime on the Development and Operation of SPS

1.Promote the construction of international and national regime on space debris mitigation, promote the establishment of the international obligation on actively removing space debris.

2.

2.推进《防止在外空放置武器、对外空物体使用或威胁使用武力公约》在国际社会的广泛接受进程；

• 3. Improve the existing space liability regime,establish a liability regime for damage caused by space activities.

• 4. Establish a fair international cooperation regime for use of space solar.