by Xinyi PAN and Xidi CHEN
Abstract: Outer space’s environment is fragile and difficult to restore. The academia should conduct a comprehensive review of the environmental protection obligations of belligerents during armed conflicts in this domain. Although outer space is different from terrestrial environments, it falls within the general scope of “environment” in international law. International Humanitarian Law and International Law in peacetime constitute a system of rules to mitigate damage to the space environment during armed conflicts. The interpretation of the corresponding obligations must be adapted to the characteristics of both outer space and armed conflicts. This process faces numerous challenges. A practical and feasible approach to guarantee State compliance is to complete the normative framework, ensure flexible interpretation, and provide clearer guidelines for belligerents.
Keywords: outer space, environmental obligations, non-state armed groups, International Humanitarian Law, nature-centrism.
