Outer Space Public Law: the 1958-1963 period. Part 1.

Abstract

This is the third article in the study related to analyzing the process of regulation of space activities. Considering the results of previous studies of documents adopted by the international community during the 1958 -1963 period in the field of regulation of space activities, this article pays special attention to the formation process of Outer Space Public Law.
 The article describes the international community`s initiatives, including the UN General Assembly, which can be considered the first elements in the general design of Outer Space Public Law.
 At the same time, the form of these elements may seem non-standard and even controversial, taking into account the fact that at this stage Outer Space Public Law was just in its infancy.
 However, as has already been discussed in previous studies, we should not expect from the “Outer Space Law” the form in which this “Law” is accustomed to consider, due to the exclusivity of the environment to which this new “Law” was formed.
 Summarizing the study of legal documents on space activities during the 1958-1963 period, we can state that already in this period the first principles, concepts, and rules of space activities were formed, which led to the emergence and development of a completely new area of law, namely, the so-called Outer Space Law.
 At the same time, it was established that at the end of 1963, the Outer Space Public Law already existed, which mainly consisted of Conventionalis stipulatio, developed in the form of Resolutions and Declarations of the UN General Assembly.
 Certainly, it is necessary to recognize that the Outer Space Law had many gaps, shortcomings, and unresolved issues at the early stage of its development. However, it is these nuances that today make it possible to understand how this field of law should be further developed.