Interstellar Law: Space Transport

INTERSTELLAR LAW: SPACE TRANSPORTWhy are we discussing Space Transport?It is clear that transport activities in space are inevitable. Transport can include commercial activities as well as those of a tourism nature. However, space travel can be an expensive proposition, largely due to gravity. Space travel from Earth runs up high costs of fuel given the need to escape from the Earth’s gravitational field.However, there are solutions to this problem. First, when the Lunar Gateway is completed, the weaker (one-sixth that of the Earth) gravitational field will allow less fuel, and hence less expensive escape into Interplanetary and Interstellar space.Second, there are points between objects in the Universe, called Lagrangian Points, where the gravity is negated between those objects. Further, there are low gravity lanes between those Lagrangian Points – lanes that can be used for much faster (and low fuel cost) travel, say between the Earth and Saturn. In this book, we base our Model Law on a Transport architecture that utilises Space Transport Lanes.It should be noted, however, that complete reliance on gravity in these lanes would be slow if no propulsion is incorporated. Hence, a combination of using lanes with propulsion would be in order.The highlight of this work is the inclusion of a Draft Model Law for Space Transport.This is Mr. Risman’s 14th law text. Mr. Risman is an Honours LL.B. graduate from the University of London, and obtained his LL.M from the same institution. Mr. Risman is a member of the Society of Legal Scholars of the United Kingdom and Ireland. He has advised the UK Supreme Court, and has spoken at Legal Conferences in the UK and abroad.