Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions

The increasing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) globally presents significant opportunities and challenges for Antarctic governance, particularly in terms of operational safety and environmental protection. This study investigates the challenges faced by various stakeholders in regulating UAS...

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Main Authors: Yitong Chen, Shu Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1486894/full
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author Yitong Chen
Shu Wu
author_facet Yitong Chen
Shu Wu
author_sort Yitong Chen
collection DOAJ
description The increasing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) globally presents significant opportunities and challenges for Antarctic governance, particularly in terms of operational safety and environmental protection. This study investigates the challenges faced by various stakeholders in regulating UAS operations in Antarctica and identifies collaborative solutions, employing both empirical and comparative research methodologies. Data on domestic UAS regulations and Antarctic-specific rules from Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) were obtained through their official civil aviation websites, while the involvement of non-state actors in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) was assessed using information provided by the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. The findings reveal that ATCPs have developed guidelines, manuals, and other regulatory tools and contribute actively to ATCM discussions. Non-state actors, leveraging their interdisciplinary expertise and research capabilities, also play a critical role in shaping UAS regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, current rules governing UAS operations in Antarctica remain fragmented, underscoring the need for a more cohesive and comprehensive regulatory framework. As UAS regulations in Antarctica continue to evolve, effective rulemaking will require collaboration among diverse actors, integrating practical expertise, global regulatory standards, and the unique operational conditions of the Antarctic region. A comprehensive legally binding Measure or at least a resolution adopted by ATCM may be good start for this integrated regulatory process.
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spelling doaj-art-9beb26eb56ab404abf86e99086836cf02025-08-20T01:59:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452024-12-011110.3389/fmars.2024.14868941486894Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutionsYitong ChenShu WuThe increasing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) globally presents significant opportunities and challenges for Antarctic governance, particularly in terms of operational safety and environmental protection. This study investigates the challenges faced by various stakeholders in regulating UAS operations in Antarctica and identifies collaborative solutions, employing both empirical and comparative research methodologies. Data on domestic UAS regulations and Antarctic-specific rules from Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) were obtained through their official civil aviation websites, while the involvement of non-state actors in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) was assessed using information provided by the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. The findings reveal that ATCPs have developed guidelines, manuals, and other regulatory tools and contribute actively to ATCM discussions. Non-state actors, leveraging their interdisciplinary expertise and research capabilities, also play a critical role in shaping UAS regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, current rules governing UAS operations in Antarctica remain fragmented, underscoring the need for a more cohesive and comprehensive regulatory framework. As UAS regulations in Antarctica continue to evolve, effective rulemaking will require collaboration among diverse actors, integrating practical expertise, global regulatory standards, and the unique operational conditions of the Antarctic region. A comprehensive legally binding Measure or at least a resolution adopted by ATCM may be good start for this integrated regulatory process.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1486894/fullAntarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs)non-state actorsregulationunmanned aircraft systems (UAS)Antarctica
spellingShingle Yitong Chen
Shu Wu
Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
Frontiers in Marine Science
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs)
non-state actors
regulation
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
Antarctica
title Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
title_full Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
title_fullStr Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
title_full_unstemmed Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
title_short Regulating unmanned aircraft systems in Antarctica: challenges and collaborative solutions
title_sort regulating unmanned aircraft systems in antarctica challenges and collaborative solutions
topic Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs)
non-state actors
regulation
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
Antarctica
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1486894/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yitongchen regulatingunmannedaircraftsystemsinantarcticachallengesandcollaborativesolutions
AT shuwu regulatingunmannedaircraftsystemsinantarcticachallengesandcollaborativesolutions