The Environmental Element in Space Law

While decades of space ventures have led to significant technological advances, space activities have also brought increasing environmental problems. This book examines the current international legal regimes in space law and environmental law in order to ascertain their applicability and efficacy in addressing environmental threats in the space sector. The research suggests mechanisms which could improve environmental protection in the sector and strengthen the environmental element in space law. These mechanisms include a variety of norm-setting strategies used in international environmental management. Special attention is drawn to the potential of environmental impact assessment in the space sector and to dispute resolution procedures. Like other areas of human activities, the space sector should accommodate both economic interests and environmental protection in line with the principle of sustainable development

Lotta Viikari, Ph.D. (2007) in International Law, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland, is researcher at the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland. She has published on space law, environmental law, and law of the sea.

This book has been awarded the Finnish Lawyers´ Society Award for the best legal PhD dissertation in Finland in 2007 and the Social Sciences Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics in 2009.

'Lotta Viikari has written a very thoroughly researched and highly comprehensible treatise on a subject which is rather complex. Her efforts amount to an innovative contribution to the development and advancement of space law. She deserves the highest commendation for her work as exemplified by the selection of her PhD dissertation on which the book is based by the Finnish Lawyers Society for the best legal PhD dissertation in Finland Award in 2007. This book should be an essential reference for any space lawyer interested in issues of contemporary significance in space law such as space debris.'
Yaw Otu Mankata Nyampong, vol. XXXIV – 2009 of the Annals of Air and Space Law.

'The book provides highly valuable input for the future development of space law, which cannot but accentuate the environmental element.'
Jan Helge Mey, LL.M. (McGill), issue 3/2010, German Journal of Air and Space Law.

'Dr. Viikari of the University of Lapland has written a comprehensive, insightful, and lucid analysis of environmental law and the law of outer space.'
Prof. Jonathan F. Galloway, Vice President, International Institute of Space Law, ABILA Newsletter, Issue No. 87, September 2010.