Whose Laws Apply On the ISS? 344
Hugh Pickens writes "Whose laws apply if astronauts from different countries get into a fight, make a patentable discovery, or damage equipment belonging to another country while on the International Space Station? According to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, ratified by 98 nations, states have legal jurisdiction within spacecraft registered to them. When the space station was assembled from modules supplied by the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency (ESA), partners rejected an initial proposal that US law should prevail throughout the space station. "It was agreed that each state registers its own separate elements, which means that you now have a piece of the US annexed to a piece of Europe annexed to a piece of Japan in outer space, legally speaking," said Dr Frans von der Dunk of the International Institute of Air and Space Law at the University of Leiden. So what happens if a crime is committed in space? "If somebody performs an activity which may be considered criminal, it is in the first instance his own country which is able to exercise jurisdiction," Dr. von der Dunk added."
Dr. von der Dunk? (Score:5, Funny)
We clearly need (Score:5, Funny)
If astronauts fight.. (Score:4, Funny)
..the winner makes the law. Duh.
Fingers crossed. (Score:3, Funny)
Crimes in space (Score:5, Funny)
I know ... (Score:4, Funny)
I wonder.. (Score:2, Funny)
Still think be more amusing to have it be whoever you're currently flying over. "3-2-1-Not Legal!"
Originally had thought it really didn't matter, seeing as they 'rigorously screen astronauts'...but after the Diaper Psycho incident, this might come to be of importance soon enough. Bugger of a wait for trial if something happens on a Mars mission though.
Earth to Cosmonaut Dmitry Sklyarov (Score:3, Funny)
Urgent! Do NOT GO into the module made by the United States.
Re:We clearly need (Score:5, Funny)
but but but (Score:2, Funny)
Oh wait...
Extremes (Score:5, Funny)
What happens if you have a joint in the Dutch module and some jolly fellow pushes you over in the Singapore module? Do you get spaced?
Million dollar pen? Use a pencil (Score:2, Funny)
Directive B10.81 (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Independence (Score:1, Funny)
heh (Score:4, Funny)
Aliens from outer space (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Fingers crossed. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:We clearly need (Score:5, Funny)
One solution... (Score:5, Funny)
2.) Place astronauts back-to-back in the center of the longest capsule on board
3.) If velcro boots are provided, order each astronaut to take ten steps toward the edge of the capsule. If not, approximate 10 seconds of floating in opposite directions before turning and firing.
4.) In the event the space station is still intact and both parties are still alive, review tape footage and declare the astronaut with the most matrix-like moves the winner.
Re:Directive B10.81 (Score:1, Funny)
Obligatory (Score:4, Funny)
Why the Law of Space of course... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:We clearly need (Score:5, Funny)
Re:We clearly need (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Fingers crossed. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Well, fortunately - (Score:2, Funny)
Provided their hammer is bigger than yours, of course.
Re:Illegal region-free DVD player aboard the ISS (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Crimes in space (Score:5, Funny)
What else floats in microgravity?
Apples!
Churches!
Lead! Lead!
Mud!
Small rocks!
A duck...
Correct!
Re:Probably a lawyer (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Probably a lawyer (Score:3, Funny)
Let the borg assimilate that.
Passport aboard? (Score:3, Funny)
Defend Our Borders!!! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:heh (Score:3, Funny)
I can only imagine the expression on the face of the government agent who tries to water board someone for the first time.
Re:Independence (Score:2, Funny)
The nation's chief export will be zero gravity porn.
But they will have to get more attractive citizens.
Re:We clearly need (Score:3, Funny)
Re:We clearly need (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ape law! (Score:3, Funny)
What's 10000 lawyers in low earth orbit ? (Score:3, Funny)