2007-2008_Space_Law_ Committee_Report.pdf

The Space Law Committee reported on developments in space law from 2007-2008, including the work of public international organizations, private international organizations, and states. The UN Office of Space Affairs promoted events and seminars, and the General Assembly created a Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) with Legal and Scientific and Technical Sub-Committees. The Sub-Committees discussed issues such as the definition and delimitation of boundaries, nuclear power sources, and space debris mitigation. The US destroyed a space object containing hazardous materials, sparking criticism and calls for a ban on weapons in space. The General Assembly adopted four outer space resolutions, including one on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which the US voted against. Private international organizations, such as the International Law Association and the International Telecommunication Union, also contributed to the development of space law. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report highlighting the importance of remote-sensing satellites in monitoring the climate, and the US began to modify its policies on environmental issues.