International Law Review

International Law Review

Function of Blockchain in Solving Existing Challenges in International Space Law

Document Type : academic

Authors
1 Assistant Prof in public of international law, Department of law, Faculty of humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
2 Ph.D. Student of Public International law, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch, Hamadan, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction 
Subsequent to the achievement by mankind to leave the planet for the space, space law slowly emerged as the latest branch of international law. It includes laws that are set to prevent a country from dominating space, preventing military use of space, maintaining security in space, and determining laws related to the peaceful use of space. As one of the incomparable human assets, the space environment is one of the main and vital issues in the field of international space law. Due to the increase in space activities and the development of space travel, maintaining the space environment has become a major challenge in this field. Since any pollution or damage to the space environment has wide-ranging effects on the feasibility of space missions as well as on the Earth, it is necessary to provide appropriate solutions to preserve and protect this valuable environment. With the development of Blockchain and its unique capabilities, this technology has become known as an efficient tool for managing information, creating security and ensuring transparency. Considering the fact that maintaining the space environment is a basic need in the field of international space, the use of Blockchain in this field can be considered as an effective solution to solve space environment issues. 
Research Gap and Objective 
The purpose of this research is to investigate and analyze the role and functions of Blockchain in international space law with an emphasis on preserving the space environment and obtaining efficient solutions for applying this technology in order to preserve the space environment. By examining the tools and technologies used in preserving the space environment, as well as a detailed examination of blockchain technology and its functions in the field of international space law, the present research puts forward the conclusion that Blockchain can play an important role in preserving the space environment. That its applications can provide effective mechanisms for its protection. Providing a healthy and stable environment in outer space not only enables successful space missions but also has significant effects on the Earth and its resources.. This research can help to develop and improve the conditions of the space environment and promote the use of Blockchain as an effective tool to preserve the space environment. 
 
Methodology 
This research is theoretical in nature. The research method is descriptive-analytical and data were collected through library sources, specifically by referring to books and articles. 
 
Key Findings 
Blockchain, as a new and powerful technology, can be widely used in international space law. Blockchain is a distributed database system that stores information in the form of blocks, each block containing information about previous transactions. This technology enables the recording and maintenance of information without the need for intermediaries. It is for this reason that it can also be used in the field of international space law. The blockchain in international space law can be implemented in a variety of fields, including registration and verification of space property rights, verification of space contracts, and verification of identification and authentication of astronauts, data security and space risk management. 
 
Contribution to the Field 
Blockchain can register the space property rights and make them accessible to other countries. Space contracts can be registered electronically and intelligently using Blockchain and prevent unauthorized changes in them. Through this technology, it is possible to electronically register the identity of astronauts and prevent fraud in this field. Therefore, the use of Blockchain in international space law can be useful in improving the security and efficiency of international space law. 
 
 
Conclusion 
The increase in human activities in space has led to the need of preservation in the space environment more prominent. Legally outer space is considered an international environment that requires international laws and regulations, as it serves as a domain for human activities. Considering that most human activities in space are conducted internationally, the need for an applicable international legal framework to govern the space environment is recognized. Blockchain has been proposed as a new and efficient solution in preserving the space environment. Blockchain acts as a transparent and reliable information storage system and can be used as a solution to record and manage international laws and regulations related to maintaining the space environment. The use of blockchain in preserving the space environment can be useful in various fields, including verifying information about space pollution, managing space waste, and promoting the use of sustainable space resources. For example, the use of blockchain can be useful in verifying information about space pollution, which has been recognized as a serious problem. By using blockchain, information about space pollution can electronically be recorded and made accessible to other states. The use of blockchain is also useful in managing space waste and promoting the sustainable use of space resources.
Keywords

Subjects


- Books

1.        Alhovi Nazari, Hamid, Public International Law, Tehran: Dadgostar Publishing House, 2013. (In Persian)
2.        Aminzadeh, Elham, National Legislation in International Space Law, Tehran: Tehran University Press, 2012. (In Persian)
3.        Anil Surdi, S. “Space Situational Awareness tThrough Blockchain Technology”, in The First International Orbital Debris Conference, Houston, TX, US, 2019.
4.        Bikos, A. N., & S.A. Kumar. “Enhancing Space Security Utilizing the Blockchain: Current Status and Future Directions”. In 2022 IEEE International Conference on Wireless for Space and Extreme Environments (WiSEE), 2022.
5.        Firouzi, Mehdi, The Right to the Environment, Tehran, Jihad Daneshgahi Publishing Organization, 2006. (In Persian)
6.        Gorove, S. Developments in Space Law Martinus Nijhoff Publications, the Netherland, 1991.
7.        Hosseini, Mohammad Reza, Legal System of Outer Space (Challenges and Approaches), Tehran: Mizan Press, 2014. (In Persian)
8.        Karen L. Jones. Blockchain: Building Consensus and Trust Across the Space Sector, 35th Space Symposium, Technical Track, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America Presented, 2019.
9.        Khosravi, Majid, Air and Space from a Legal Perspective, Tehran, Publications of the Political Doctrine Organization of the Iranian Armed Forces, 2002. (In Persian)
10.     Lianos, I. & P. Hacker & S. Eich & G. Dimitropoulos. Regulating Blockchain: Techno-Social and Legal Challenges. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.
11.     Lyall, F. Protection of the Space Environment and Law, 42nd Proc. IISL; 2000.
12.     Navadeh Topchi, Hossein, International Space Law, Tehran, Khorsandi Publications, 2011. (In Persian)
13.     Tronchetti, F. "Annex 2 - Treaty on Principles Governing The Activities of States. In The Exploration And Use of Outer Space, Including The Moon And Other Celestial Bodies". In The Exploitation of Natural Resources of the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill / Nijhoff, 2009.
14.     Wangchen, R.B. Protection of the Outer Space Environment, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, 2010.
15.     Wood, S. "The Scope of International Obligations to Extend Rescue Assistance to ‘Astronauts’ and ‘Personnel’ Under the Outer Space Treaty and the Return and Rescue Agreement". In Commercial Uses of Space and Space Tourism. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017.
16.     Yingyu P. Mathematical Derivation and Analysis of Success Probability of Bitcoin Attack, School of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China, International Conference on Network, Communication, Computer Engineering (NCCE), 2018.
 

- Articles

1.        Alladi, T., Chamola, V., Rodrigues, J.J. and Kozlov, SA, "Blockchain in Smart Grids: A Review on Different Use Cases". Sensors 22, No. 19, (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/s19224862
2.        Aminzadeh, Elham and Younes Alahband hosseini, “Normative Developments in International Space Law with a View to the 1992 Resolution on Principles Concerning the Use of Nuclear Energy in Outer Space”, Quarterly Journal of Public Law Studies 46, No. 1 (2016). (In Persian)
3.        Bao, Z. & M. Luo & H. Wang & K. K. R. Choo & D. He, "Blockchain Based Secure Communication for Space Information Networks". IEEE Network 35, No. 4 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/MNET.011.2100048
4.        Brian R., "Space Governance". Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law 48, No. 3 (2019). https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/ gjicl/vol48/iss3/7
5.        De Filippi, P., & A. Leiter, "Blockchain in Outer Space". American Journal of International Law 115, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1017/ aju.2021.63
6.        Fasan E., "Technical and Policy Issues Related to the Use of the Space Environment". Journal of Space Law 23, (1995). https://airandspacelaw. olemiss.edu
7.        Griggs KN, Ossipova O, Kohlios CP, Baccarini AN, Howson EA, Hayajneh T. "Healthcare Blockchain System Using Smart Contracts for Secure Automated Remote Patient Monitoring". Journal of medical systems 42, No. 7, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-0982-x
8.        Haji Sheikhi, Amir Hossein and Mehdi Jafari Nadushan, “Application of Blockchain in the Development of the Space Industry”, 19th International Conference of the Iranian Aerospace Association, Tehran, (2011). (In Persian)
9.        Hyland-Wood, D. & P. Robinson & S. Johnson & C. Hare & B.
Henderson & C. Lewicki & R. Saltini, "Blockchain Properties for NearPlanetary, Interplanetary, and Metaplanetary Space Domains". Journal of Aerospace Information Systems 17, No. 10 (2020).
10.     Jalali, Mahmoud and Ali Aghahosseini, “International Space Law and the Necessity of Preserving the Space Environment”, Quarterly Journal of Public Law Studies 46, No. 3 (2016). (In Persian)
11.     Lyall, F., "State Liability for Outer Space Activities in Accordance with the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects". British Yearbook of International Law 64, No. 1 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1093/bybil/64.1.428
12.     Mahmoudi, Seyed Hadi, “The Impact of Scientific Technologies on the Development and Evolution of International Space Law”, Quarterly Journal of Law Research 13, No. 32 (2011). (In Persian)
13.     Mulligan, C., & S. Morsfield & E. Cheikosman, "Blockchain for Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review for Policy Impact". Telecommunications Policy 48, No. 2, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.telpol.2023.102676
14.     Nofer, M., Gomber, P., Hinz, O., & Schiereck, D. "Blockchain". Business & Information Systems Engineering 59, No. 3, (2017). https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s12599-017-0467-3
15.     Yusliwidaka, A. & K. Roisah & J. Setiyono, "State Liability for The Fault Causing Damage in Outer Space". JED (Jurnal Etika Demokrasi)
8, No. 3(2023). https://doi.org/10.26618/jed.v8i3.11398
 

- Reports

1.    Sir Mark Walport, Distributed Ledger Technology Beyond Blockchain, A Report by the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser, London, England, Government office for science, 2016. https://assets.publishing. service.gov.uk
 

- Other Documents

1.        Mosher, D., Elon Musk Just Revealed New Details About Starlink, A Plan To Surround Earth with 12,000 High-Speed Internet Satellites. Here's How It Might Work, Business Insider, 2019. https://www.businessinsider.com/ spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-how-it-works-2019-5
2.        Ronald J. Reisman, Air Traffic Management Blockchain Infrastructure for Security, Authentication, and Privacy, NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States, 2019. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/ 20190000022

  • Receive Date 07 July 2024
  • Revise Date 18 November 2024
  • Accept Date 16 February 2025