Challenges to Future Space Governance

Despite the increasing number of countries, companies and even private individuals active in space, the basic treaties and other rules governing space have not changed since the Cold War. Yet problems related to increased space traffic, dangerous orbital debris and spectrum crowding pose serious risks to safe civilian and commercial operations. In addition, many more national militaries are operating in space today, some of them pursuing counterspace weapons. Thus, a major question faces the international community: Will we be able to govern space successfully in the 21st century? This talk will examine the development of existing rules in space and lay out emerging challenges to preventing conflict and the possible ruination of critical orbits. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of possible paths to the creation of new rules and more effective international tools for future space governance.