Science

There are holes in Space!

Holes in space legislation, that is

There are holes in Space!

In spite of the seemingly everlasting state of conflict in the international community, all countries have pretty much agreed to pretend to be friends in outer space.

The UN Outer Space Treaty, adopted unanimously in 1963, outlined the ground rules for outer space use and exploration, including fluffy clauses on helping any astronauts in trouble, irrespective of their country of origin, and keeping all parts of outer space freely accessible to all states (i.e. not invading space to become the Emperor of the Universe). The treaty also prohibited placing nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction on celestial bodies, in Earth’s orbit or anywhere else in outer space, which is why we can be relatively certain that the moon will still be there when we wake up tomorrow. Other types of weapons, however, did not get a mention in that treaty or in any of the following UN space law agreements, so if somebody attempted a kinetic orbital strike from the Earth’s orbit and flung a projectile at whatever country they’re having relationship issues with at the moment, the act would technically be legal as far as space law is concerned. While this may seem alarming, us humans already have so many other of ways we could perish as a species that this little issue is but a single star in our increasingly perilous universe.

From Issue 1645

4th Nov 2016

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

Read more

Peter Haynes to take over Provost role in October

News

Peter Haynes to take over Provost role in October

Professor Peter Haynes has been appointed as the new Provost and Deputy President of Imperial College. The current  Vice-Provost for Education and Student Experience, Haynes will succeed the outgoing Provost, Professor Ian Walmsley, who has served in the role since 2018. Imperial President Hugh Brady said Professors Haynes and Walmsley

By Guillaume Felix
Why RAG’s bungee jump event never took place

News

Why RAG’s bungee jump event never took place

Earlier this academic year, Imperial Raising and Giving (RAG), had announced the return of their charity bungee jump after a hiatus of 10 years. The event, however, was postponed several times, and Felix can now reveal why it was cancelled. The event, initially scheduled for November 13th, was postponed several

By Mohammad Majlisi and Nadeen Daka
Palestine protests ramp up as year ends and tensions rise

News

Palestine protests ramp up as year ends and tensions rise

Saturday 7th June: Pro-Palestinian protestors hold banners as they stand on ALERT at the Great Exhibition Road Festival. Tuesday 10th June: A student announces a hunger strike asking for Imperial to investigate Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism, form a student-staff working group on ethical investment, and divest from arms companies accused

By Mohammad Majlisi