Editorials: 2025 Vol: 28 Issue: 4S
LICENSING THE FUTURE: HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE REGULATING SPACE EXPLORATION AND SATELLITE DEPLOYMENT
Marilang Muin, Gansu University of Political Science and Law, China
As space becomes increasingly accessible, governments around the world are grappling with the challenge of regulating space exploration and satellite deployment. The surge in private space ventures, mega-constellations, and interplanetary missions has outpaced traditional legal frameworks. This article explores how national and international regulatory bodies are adapting to the evolving space landscape, focusing on licensing regimes, orbital traffic management, and sustainability. It highlights the need for coordinated governance to ensure safety, equity, and long-term viability in outer space.
INTRODUCTION
The final frontier is no longer reserved for superpowers and astronauts. With the rise of private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and OneWeb, space exploration and satellite deployment have entered a new era of commercialization. Thousands of satellites are launched annually, and missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond are becoming routine. Yet, this rapid expansion raises critical questions: Who regulates space? How are licenses granted? And what legal frameworks ensure that space remains safe and sustainable? (Slijep?evi? et al., 2023).
The cornerstone of space law is the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, signed by over 110 countries. It declares space as the “province of all mankind,” prohibits national sovereignty over celestial bodies, and mandates peaceful use. However, it lacks detailed provisions on commercial activities, satellite traffic, and environmental impact. Holds launching states liable for damage caused by their space objects. Requires states to register launched objects with the UN. Aims to regulate lunar resource use, though few major spacefaring nations have ratified it. The U.S. leads in space regulation through agencies like: Issues launch and reentry licenses. Regulates satellite communications and orbital slots. Oversees remote sensing satellites (Rosenbloom et al., 2014).
The U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (2015) allows private entities to own resources mined from celestial bodies, sparking debate over space property rights. India’s space activities are governed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the newly formed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). The Space Activities Bill, still pending parliamentary approval, aims to formalize licensing for private launches, satellite operations, and liability mechanisms. The EU lacks a unified space law but coordinates through the European Space Agency (ESA) and national bodies like France’s CNES and Germany’s DLR. Licensing varies by country, but efforts are underway to harmonize regulations, especially for satellite constellations and space debris mitigation (Parchomiuk, 2018).
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming crowded, with mega-constellations like Starlink and Kuiper planning tens of thousands of satellites. This raises collision risks and complicates orbital traffic management. Licensing authorities now require detailed collision avoidance plans and debris mitigation strategies (Mohammed et al., 2023).
Satellites generate debris, and defunct objects pose long-term hazards. The UN’s Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines urge responsible behavior, but enforcement is voluntary. Licensing increasingly includes end-of-life disposal plans, such as deorbiting or graveyard orbits. Satellites rely on radio frequencies, which are regulated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Licensing must ensure fair access and prevent interference, especially as demand grows for broadband and Earth observation services. Initiatives like the Artemis Accords, led by the U.S., aim to establish norms for lunar exploration and resource use. However, critics argue they bypass broader multilateral consensus (Michel, 2005).
CONCLUSION
Licensing the future of space is not just a bureaucratic task—it’s a moral and strategic imperative. As humanity expands its presence beyond Earth, governments must craft agile, inclusive, and enforceable regulations. Only through coordinated governance can we ensure that space exploration remains safe, equitable, and sustainable for generations to come.
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Received: 02-Jul -2025 Manuscript No. JLERI -25-15611; Editor assigned: 03-Jul -2025 Pre QC No. JLERI -25-15611(PQ); Reviewed: 17-Jul -2025 QC No. JLERI-25-15611; Revised: 21-Jul -2025 Manuscript No. JLERI-25-15611(R); Published: 28-Jul -2025