Space Resources and Developing Nations: The Innuendo of parallel Benefits
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Date
2021
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KWASU Law Journal, 2 (1)
Abstract
Between May 2007 and November 2008, Nigeria spent about USD 48.4 million to launch (including cost of insurance) both NigComsat-1 and NigConsat-1R while the United States offered USD 316 million to SpaceX to launch a National Reconnaissance Office Satellite in fiscal year 2022. Embarking on space related activities involve huge financial commitment as well as risk. To cap it all, satellite life span can be as short as 2-7 years. While few countries in the world have been able to establish presence in Outer space by launching series of satellites for various purpose such as communication, air navigation, military reconnaissance etc, many have not carried on any activity in space. This is, despite the provision the Outer Space Treaty, article I that enjoins countries to utilise space resources to benefit all mankind and on equal basis. Does this mean that states that have been able to explore and exploit space resources are statutorily obligated to share the use and benefit with the less privileged States? Does the Treaty provide for how space resources are to be shared or utilised by mankind? How are countries with no space activities expected to enjoy space benefit? It is the intention of this paper to assess the attitude of the Outer Space Treaty on how the ‘haves’ are to share the space resources with the ‘haves-nots’. A qualitative legal research methodology is adopted; and at the end of the work, appropriate recommendation shall be made based on the findings
Keywords: Outer Space, Resources, actors, share, benefits
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KWASU Law Journal, 2 (1)