Rules-based Order in Outer Space: The Role of International Law and Institutions

Abstract

Given the exponential growth in space activities in recent years, there is much discussion about the need for a rules-based order in outer space and the necessary binding and non-binding instruments to achieve this order, such as international treaties, national legislation, guidelines, norms, principles, and standards. There is already a well-established corpus of international space law and national space law, supplemented by standards, principles, and guidelines, but this does not address many of the questions that are arising out of the rapid pace of developments in the global space domain. This paper provides an overview of the existing international institutions, rules, and norms for space activities; describes how these are being stressed by current developments; and offers a vision for the role of these instruments and institutions going forward.