• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.203-319
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• 2020

The regulation of satellite remote sensing is generally included with the scope of statutes governing outer space activities. But not all states opted for dedicated satellite remote sensing regulation. The decision whether to do so depends in part on the specific capabilities of national satellite remote sensing programs. Five states that have dedicated statutes governing operations with remote sensing data are the United States, with its developed Landsat regime (the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, LRSPA), Canada, with its Remote Sensing Systems Act, Germany, with its Satellite Data Securities Protection Act (SatDSiG), France, with its Law on Space Operations (LOS), Japan, with its Act on Ensuring Appropriate Handling of Satellite Remote Sensing Data. The major purpose of this article is to shed light on some legal issues surrounding remote sensing activities by comparative review. The paper analyzes international conventions or soft law and national law and policies relating to satellite remote sensing. It also offers some implications and suggestions for regulations of satellite remote sensing operations and satellite data.