ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses issues of space law that are likely to have less immediate application, though in the case of at least one—the governance of space societies—a surprisingly large amount of work has been devoted to the problem. There is considerable evidence that Robinson and White are right to take seriously the impact of new environments on human behavior and governance. The experience of many earthbound colonial efforts demonstrates the problems created by attempts to graft old or poorly thought out social systems on new environments. If governance of space societies may seem a remote issue to some, then possible contact with extraterrestrial beings may seem remoter, and with some reason. "The Declaration appropriately guarantees civil and political freedoms that should govern all actions in space of earth and space inhabitants. Such principles can guide analysis of legal issues that arise in whatever context and provide guidance for a discussion of rules for governance of space societies.
