中国空间站运行所涉基本法律问题探析

The Basic Legal Issues Related to the Operation of China’s Space Station

中国空间站将于2022年正式投入运行。空间站项目的顺利开展和成功运行,除了需要航天科技的支撑,在很大程度上还需要相关法律的配合和支持。由于中国迄今为止尚未制定高位阶的外空立法,因此,有必要通过对中国空间站运行所涉及各项基本法律问题进行分析探讨并提出应对建议,以保障未来空间站的运行能够更加顺畅。在围绕空间站的管辖权、宇航员及机组人员的行为守则,以及营救制度、责任制度等具体问题建构未来有关空间站运行的法律框架时,应当充分考虑维护中国自身的外空利益,同时确保空间站能够有序开放给世界其他国家开展国际合作,从而向国际社会展现中国作为负责任的航天大国的形象。

China’s Space Station will put into operation in 2022. The smooth development and successful operation of the Space Station Project relies on not only the support of space science and technology, but also the support of a comprehensive legal framework. So far China has not yet made its own national space legislation. There is thus a need to research on relevant legal issues related to space station.This paper will discuss such issues as jurisdiction, code of conduct for astronauts and personnel on board space station, rescue of astronauts, liability, and intellectual property protection. While constructing future legal framework for space station, we will need to consider how to protect China’s interests in outer space and how to carry out international cooperation in relation to space station. As such, China can show to the international society as a responsible space power.