Space Law: Fit for Purpose?

It is often argued that international space law no longer meets the current needs of the space sector, especially of those interested in commercial space ventures.  This is claimed to be the result of rapid improvement in space technology out-stripping changes in the law.  Examples of space activities not addressed by international space law frequently cited are space traffic management, (STM), asteroid mining and exploitation of other space resources, space tourism and living off-world.

ISPL Director, Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, addressed this topic at the UCL Space Policy Workshop on 15 May 2019.  With a focus on the Outer Space Treaty, he examined the question posed, drawing on the Moon Agreement, Law of the High Seas and the comparison of space mining to freedom of fishing in the high seas.  His paper concluded with consideration of the future of space law.

To learn more about these and other topics of space policy and law see the programme for our three days course to be held from 14 to 16 October 2019 in London.

space technology 
rate of change of the law
space traffic management
mining 
tourism 
living off world
Outer Space Treaty
private investment 
commercial 
authorization 
continuing supervision 
Space Resource Exploitation
high seas 
Freedom of fishing
Moon Agreement
Future of International Space Law