Abstract

Although space tourism is still an embryonic activity and has been gradually developing through private companies, it is a subject that soon, contrary to what has been happening, should occupy the great international forums that are dedicated to the space theme, such as the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Space (COPUOS). The present work has the objective, from the existing legal regime for astronauts, especially the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts and Restitution of Astronauts and Objects Launched into Cosmic Space of 1968, outlining some rights that may be granted to space tourists recognized either from a specific international convention or from the analogous application of the 1968 Rescue Agreement, which, under the rules of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, proves to be more difficult in international law to occur. In any case, it seems incontestable, as observed in the 1968 Rescue Agreement, that space tourists be guaranteed the right (and at the same time the duty of States) to be saved, assisted and restored in case of problems in re-entry from the cooperation of the State that carry out these efforts jointly with the company responsible for the flight. Thus, the need to construct a regime for space tourists emerges, especially through an international convention that provides for its minimum rights, as well as the obligations of companies and States.