ABSTRACT
NewSpace is actually a new legal ecosystem for space exploration, involving a new wave of actors from the digital economy who have led the way by disrupting the traditional model of governmental agencies contracting for the manufacturing of designed components used for space, with the new model of contracting for services, in some cases offered by industry as turnkey solutions. Under this new model, humans are reaching further and further into space for various reasons; some good – for the advances of science and technology, the economic and social development, peaceful cooperation between countries; some not so good – such as for offensive or defensive military purposes or exclusive and unlimited private appropriation of space resources with risks of pollution of extra-terrestrial environments to the prejudice of future generations. This chapter is basically a call for action to the various stakeholders in the field of space to come together to cooperate, not compete, in order to develop a new space law capable of satisfying the essential balances between the various government and private interests, preserving our terrestrial assets, while utilising space for the good of humanity. The chapter covers the emergence of the disruptors, the return of the traditional space powers to space policy, and – importantly – the specific issues that must be addressed by all concerned in order to best move forward with space exploration in a reasoned fashion.
