ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of “space risks” as defined in this book and sets out the scope of the coverage and its motivations. Two distinct categories of risk are defined: (1) natural risks and cosmic hazards; and (2) human risks and societal challenges, followed by a summary of the topics covered by the individual chapters in these two areas of the book. This introduction highlights the value of a multi- and interdisciplinary approach to the study of these problems, which draws on the expertise of contributors from a wide array of academic backgrounds and practical experience. The chapter concludes with a review of the main risks, highlighting the need for a mixture of further academic study to understand them better and innovative law and policy solutions to mitigate their potentially harmful impacts.
