On the Legal Regulation of Manned Space Activities: a Comparative Perspective

Currently, the international rules with regard to the manned space activities are mainly reflected in the relevant UN space treaties. The domestic space law in the United States and Russia also have scattered provisions on manned space activities. The Measures for the Administration of Registration of Space Objects of China applies to the registration of the manned space objects, however, the Interim Measures on the Administration of License for Civil Space Launch Projects of China does not apply to the manned space activities which are organized by the relevant competent authorities. China should improve its national space legislation on the basis of fulfilling the relevant treaty obligations, formulate the technical rules related to manned space activities, and promulgate the specialized manned space activities law when the time comes.