International Legal Issues on Developing Space Solar Power Station Institute of Space Law, Beijing Institute of Technology Prof. Dr. Shouping Li

1. International Legal Issues Concering to Developing Space Solar Power Station 2. The Current Legal Regime regulating the Development and Operation of Space Solar Power Station 3. How to perfect the international legal regime

I. International Legal Issues Concering to Developing Space Solar Power Station  Space-based platform: collect and convert solar into electricity (solar array panel, laser converter panel)  Wireless power transmission system: microwave or laser transmission  Ground receiver system:

1.Large space-based axchitecture need hundreds lunchs. It will generate large number of space debris. 2.The operation of SPS will occupy orbit sources and space solar resources for long-term.

3.The laser or microwave may interfere other state’s satellite or cause damage to the ground. 4.SPS can directly provide energy to military infrastructure. Solar energy canbe used as weather weapon.

II. The existing international Law regulating the development and operation of SPS 1.Some principles of international space law can be applied to the development and operation of SPS.  peaceful use of outer space;  Not subject to national appropriation; 2. article 4 of Outer Space Treaty and Environmental Modification Convention can indirectly regulate the development and operation of SPS

3. The existing regulations on space debris mitigation are law sources for the development and operation of SPS ； 4. Liability Convention and Articles on State Reponsibility can be applied to the development and operation of SPS ; 5. Article 9 of Outer Space Treaty is a important legal source for the development and operation of SPS.

Challenges ：  The challenges to the principle of peaceful use of outer space.  Is weather weapon a kind of weapons of mass distruction?  Can SPS be a military installation or fortification?  The challenges to the principle of not subject to national appropriation.  can Solar and orbit sources be regarded as outer space ?

 The challenges to the principle of freely use and exploriation of outer space.  the generation of a large number of space debris;  Ooccupation of extensive orbit.  The challenges to current space liability regime.  Damage caused by laser or microwave?

III. Construction of International Legal Regime on the Development and Operation of SPS 1.Promote the construction of international and national regime on space debris mitigation, promote the establishment of the international obligation on actively removing space debris 推进《防止在外空放置武器、对外空物体使 用或威胁使用武力公约》在国际社会的广 泛接受进程；

3. Improve the existing space liability regime,establish a liability regime for damage caused by space activities. 4. Establish a fair international cooperation regime for use of space solar.