The Concept of Launching State in the NPS Principles

This paper makes particular reference to the NPS Principles. It moots that the NPS is characterised by the applicability of norms pertaining not only to space law, but also that applicable to the nuclear power. Nuclear power sources and their use in outer space were subject of a series of documents of the legal regime providing the use of nuclear powers in different sets of laws, including the Conventions. The scientific community also applies rules of environment. Thus international environmental law is also important. this can be earth- or space oriented. However, there is a need to qualify the concepts, especially the traditional concepts of launching State.