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Essay On Astronaut

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In order to determine whether the term ‘astronaut’, as it is presented in Article V of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and
Other Celestial Bodies (OST), includes the vast class of personnel who now enter outer space, this paper will adhere to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). Article 31of the VCLT explicitly addresses the process, and general rules of treaty interpretation. By principle, treaty interpretation must be approached in a holistic manner and in ‘good faith’ and should attempt to protect interests of all parties. In interpreting the meaning of words in treaties, the ordinary meaning of such words must first be considered. …show more content…

The ordinary meaning of ‘travelling’ includes being a passenger on vehicles moving from point A to point B. In light of this reasoning, scientists, teachers, media, and potential tourists need not be experts in operating space crafts but rather having training in how to travel, or be a passenger in a space craft, and this could suffice. Despite not be a part of the crew operating space crafts, merely being trained to travel in space crafts still satisfies the ordinary meaning of the term ‘astronaut’ under Art V of the OST. For the purpose of the OST, ‘astronaut’ is defined as “astronauts as envoys of mankind in outer space.” If the ordinary meaning of this definition is considered, ‘envoys of mankind’ lends itself to support this this broader interpretation of the word ‘trained’ rather than the narrower interpretation of only including experts in operating space crafts being constituted as ‘trained’. ‘Envoys of mankind’ in this case can be interpreted not as ‘diplomatic envoys’ (as if this was the case this is what would have been stated), but rather they are representatives of mankind in general. This would include all and any member of mankind who is to venture into space and is sent by any population of mankind who inhabit earth.

To consider the context of the OST treaty, the preamble and annexes must be examined. The preamble emphasises peaceful activities,

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