A Critique on the Indian Draft Space Activities Bill 2017

Abstract

The regulation of private space activities has become a matter of considerable complexity in the present era of commercialization. The international space treaties fix responsibility and liability for both public and private space activities on the States, and therefore, the States cannot risk allowing the private players to operate without proper regulation. This has led the States to move toward enacting national space legislation to address a plethora of issues involved in regulating private space activities. India has been trying to enact national space legislation since the beginning of the 21st century. With the concerted efforts, it could succeed in preparing a draft Space Activities Bill in 2017. Unfortunately, the 2017 Bill suffers from several inherent loopholes and it also misses out many key aspects, which need to be incorporated in a comprehensive national space law. Hence, the aim of this article is to critically evaluate the 2017 Bill with an objective to highlight the need for a better model in tune with the Indian commitments under international space treaties. Such an endeavor is absolutely required in the wake of present developments to promote private space activities in India to boost its economy in the post-COVID-19 era. © Copyright 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2022.