[SPACENEWS] Concerned that regulatory uncertainty could block its plans to launch a lunar lander mission next year, Moon Express has proposed an alternative approach for carrying out a required payload review that could keep its plans on schedule while a more permanent legislative solution is developed.The company announced April 8 that it has submitted to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration a request for a payload review of its planned lunar lander, offering additional information that it hopes will bridge a regulatory gap.
At issue is a provision in Article 6 of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 that requires countries to provide "authorization and continuing supervision" of activities in space by companies and organizations under their jurisdiction. That is usually performed in the U.S. through a licensing process for launches as well as communications and Earth imaging.
However,
some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go...
no federal government agency has authority to oversee operations of commercial spacecraft beyond Earth orbit. That has raised concerns about how the U.S. would meet its Article 6 obligations for authorization and supervision for such missions.