Chapter 30 - Conclusions and next steps

Abstract

This chapter emphasizes on the fact that space safety remains the major responsibility of national and regional regulatory bodies and the space agencies. As outer space activities continue to mature in the twenty-first century, some clear transitions seem likely. Therefore, one transition that is foreseen in the chapter is those outer-space-related activities—whether at the governmental level or at the commercial level—would continue to become safer, and more international and informal standards and regulatory processes will be strengthened in form, and become more structured and backed by either “incentives” or “disincentives” to increase compliance, especially at the international standard. Commercial activities would likely serve as a particular stimulus to this transition within the next two to three decades. As these regulatory processes and standards-making activities move forward, technology would also continue to move forward. The most significant transition in this regard may well be the shift from chemical rocket propulsion to more efficient, environmentally “greener,” “more economic,” and “safer” space transportation systems.