Current Problems and Challenges in International Space Law: Legal Aspects

• Author: Inesa Kostenko
• Position: Ph.D. in Law, Associate Professor, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Kharkiv, Ukraine)
• Pages: 48-57

Advanced Space Law, Volume 5, 2020

48

Current Problems and Challenges in International

Space Law: Legal Aspects

Inesa Kostenko1

Ph.D. in Law, Associate Professor, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

(Kharkiv, Ukraine)

E-mail: inessakostenko2014@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8784-5422

Kostenko, Inesa (2020) Current Problems and Challenges in International Space Law:

Legal Aspects. Advanced Space Law, Volume 5, 48-57. https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/2020/5/5

The article is devoted to the study and research of contemporary legal issues in the eld of

international space law. Today we are witnessing the rapid and unstoppable development of the space

industry. Such cooperation requires an appropriate legal framework. In this article, we will review the

leading normative legal acts regulating relations in outer space today and analyze current development

trends and problems.

Space law is a relatively new branch of international public law, involving a combination of customs

and treaties. The legislative framework of the space industry is expanding accordingly to the subject

that is regulated. One of the main issues that are investigated in this article is the search for a balance

between free access of humanity to the space and the opportunity to establish ownership of certain study

objects in outer space. The ability to develop the right of ownership of private enterprises, companies,

research centers is extremely important for the economic development of the space industry.

This article aims to provide a holistic understanding of current trends and challenges in space law

with particular emphasis on such issues as space tourism, the “new space” and climate change. The

article will examine the founding treaties of space law, the legal framework, and scientic literature

concerning space law. The leading goal of this article is to highlight new trends and prospects of space

research, the exploration of new perspectives, which are distributed today in the eld of outer space, and

search of ways of its solution within the framework of legislative regulation.

Keywords: United Nations Oce for Outer Space Aairs, European Space Agency, European Space

Research Organization, space treaties, space, tourism, privatization, commercialization, new space,

climate change, debris.

Received: March 20, 2020; accepted: April 18, 2020

© Kostenko, Inesa, 2020