The Role of ITU in the Codification and Development of International Space Law

Initially perhaps, the codification and progressive development of international space law exclusively are attributed to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). However, due to the development of modern technologies which are related to the outer space-specifically in the field of telecommunications- there are other regional and international organizations which their activities are related to the outer space and the law which governs it. Performances of these organizations, on the bases of policy and regulation, as well as participation in operational activities, directly or indirectly, influence the development and the progressive development of international outer space law. The International Telecommunication Union has significant role in the field of policy making and regulation, particularly radio regulation and allocation of spectrum and orbit resources. In this Article, first, we will describe the history of formation, activities and foundations of ITU, and then we will evaluate the rules which govern the quality of allocation of frequencies and the results of some recent conferences of the ITU on the Radio communication and, without entering into the field of technical issues, we will attempt to provide clear picture of quantity and importance of the relationship between codification and progressive development of international outer space law and the ITU'S performance in this regard.