Analogies in International law and problems of the development of space law

Abstract

This article indicates that the existing international space law fails to regulate the dynamically developing space activity. The International policy-making in this sphere has established when the applied space activity virtually did not exist. Currently, the actively developing and very profitable space activity, for the most part involves the economic entities. The author notes that a range of means, such as contracts, recommendation documents, and national legislation are employed in the development of space law. The question raised whether the analogy can be applied for the development of international space law. This method of filling the gaps is widespread and largely used in private international law; however, its value for the public international law has not been determined. An essential issue is the ratio between the formalized sources of law and analogies; methodology for determining the existence of deficiencies of law; criteria for similarity and difference of the situations that imply the use of analogy. For solving the set tasks, the author uses the formal-logical, systemic, comparative, and other research methods. The author believes that it is possible to trace several factors that allow using analogies in the international law. The analogy should be substantiated for each individual case; it is necessary to draw comparison between regulated and unregulated cases; determine the identity of the elements that are relevant for application of analogy.