A Comparative Legal Analysis of US and EU Data Access Policies for Earth Remote Sensing
Contemporary Issues and Future Challenges in Air and Space Law, pp 271-298 (Airandspacebooks 2011)
16 Pages Posted: 12 Apr 2012 Last revised: 8 Aug 2012
Date Written: June 30, 2011
Abstract
The fundamental legal basis for Earth observation (EO) and land remote sensing activities can be found in the international treaties and instruments concerning the peaceful use of outer space. Specifically, the parameters of Earth observation satellite data access policies are governed globally by the UN Principles on Remote Sensing.
This article provides an overview of the UN Principles, highlighting issues of contention as well as practical obstacles to implementation. Subsequently, it analyzes the data access policies of space agencies in the United States and Europe, specifically addressing the national positions, agency policies and related interagency cooperative agreements for publicly sponsored EO programs. Further discussion stipulates current international developments in the area of data access and concludes with a summary of national and international data access policy trends in the US, Europe, and globally.
Keywords: Data access, Earth observation, remote sensing, data policies, Principles on Remote Sensing
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