Polaris Dawn & Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty

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Polaris Dawn was a private crewed spaceflight operated by SpaceX on behalf of Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman, the first of three planned missions in the Polaris program. Launched 10 September 2024 as the 14th crewed orbital flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft, Isaacman and his crew of three — Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon — flew in an elliptic orbit that took them 1,400 kilometers (870 mi) away from Earth, the farthest anyone has been since NASA's Apollo program. They passed through parts of the Van Allen radiation belt to study the health effects of space radiation and spaceflight on the human body. Later in the mission, the crew performed the first commercial spacewalk.

Outer Space Treaty:

The Outer Space Treaty, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a multilateral treaty that forms the basis of international space law. Negotiated and drafted under the auspices of the United Nations, it was opened for signature in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union on 27 January 1967, entering into force on 10 October 1967. As of March 2024, 115 countries are parties to the treaty—including all major spacefaring nations—and another 22 are signatories.

Article VI of The The Outer Space Treaty:When activities are carried on in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, by an international organization, responsibility for compliance with this Treaty shall be borne both by the international organization and by the States Parties to the Treaty participating in such organization.

This article stateshome countries would be responsible for space activity from their soil, and they are responsible and can be held liable liable if any accidents occur.

In this case, USA clarified that it is not supervising space walk by crew aboard  Polaris Dawn.

Instead US Authorities only certify wether rocket is safe for space travel or not.

Some experts say that USA not violating Article VI of The Outer Space Treaty. It is so because thare is no clear definition on what should be the nature of State Supervision of Private Space Missions.

  1. Aljazeera
  2. The Indian Express

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