On The Issue Of Environmental Protection Laws In Outer Space

Since the beginning of human space age, space scientists have been trying to do scientific analysis and research on space environmental risks which may be arise from human space activities. Since 60's of the last century the number of satellites and rockets launched into outer space is alarming. Scientists are more interest about the radioactive pollution, ecological pollution and chemical pollution which caused by outer space objects lunched into outer space. Outer space environmental protection becomes a hot issue in international community. Countries have been benefit a lot in launching outer space activities, a growing number of international community and countries are concerning about various actual or potential pollution of outer space environment at the same time.Protection of the environment of outer space is the common responsibility of all mankind, as a major aviation country, we should play an active role in promoting the sustainable and healthy development of outer space.This paper aims at proposing the effect on outer space environment arise from the development of outer space activities, such as outer space commercial activities, outer space research activities and outer space military activities, and analyze the severity of outer space problem. All of these will based on the definition of outer space activity. Space debris is the main aspects of pollution of outer space, outer space nuclear pollution and chemical pollution can not be taken lightly because of their potential harm although there is no actual serious harm in outer space biological contamination. Address this environmental problem, the paper summarizes the legal framework and problem for environmental protection of outer space and put forward the idea ofimproving environmental protection in outer space. The last part of the paper describes China, as a space power, has not introduced a standard space law to regulate outer space activities. The legal, regulatory policy for the ever growing space industry is relatively lagging behind. In order to promote the further development of China's aerospace industry, China should speed up the outer space legislation. We can learn the systems and practices of these successful outer space legislation system to accelerate the pace of China's space legislation, establishing a responsible image of space powers country.