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Space Program and Business in India – Legal Perspectives
Shashi Sharma*
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1
I. The National Space Program of India………………………………………………. 2
A. Background …………………………………………………………………… 2
B. International treaties and agreements applicability.……………………………. 3
C. Indian national space program…………………………………………………. 4
1. Charter of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)………………… 4
2. Antrix Corporation: Charter and Currently Activities………………….. 6
D. Development of Space Policy and Law by India……………………………… 7
1. Need for National Space Policy and Proposed Key Provisions…………. 7
2. Need for development of Space Law and Proposed Key Provisions …….8
II. Domestic Satellite Communications in India………………………………………...10
A. Communications Satellite Operators……………………………………………10
B. Existing Law ……………………………………………………………………11
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Introduction
India is steadily establishing its distinct identity in international space regime and has emerged as an
important destination for domestic and international space activities and applications. The indigenously
developed space technology has enabled India to plan an ambitious, first unmanned scientific mission to
moon, space program Chandrayaan-I in 2007. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered for
* LL.M. Candidate, May 2007, American University, Washington College of Law, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
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this project with National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA)1, European Space Agency (ESA)2
and Bulgaria, besides several other co-operative agreements with other countries / agencies in space
field, necessitates immediate attention for development of a National Space Policy and Space Law by
India. A well defined Policy and Law shall provide international recognition and legitimacy to India’s
space programs and activities, enable capitalization of unexplored business opportunities by...
