Challenges to International Space Governance

Abstract

Space is now a congested, contested, and competitive domain. Space technologies and programs have become vital ingredients of major spacefaring nations’ national power. In the past three decades, space has gained importance for security and socioeconomic development of spacefaring nations. However, most of the activities in this domain are unchecked primarily due to lack of an internationally agreed treaty in space. In addition, the challenges to international space governance in ensuring space as a safer and more secure environment are enormous. These include the increasing pool of actors, growing commercialization, expanding military space programs, the proliferation of anti-satellite weapons, and lack of consensus among states on a conclusive and universally negotiated treaty to prohibit an arms race in space. The expanding number of spacefaring actors and dual-use technologies have made the skies and space more competitive. On top of that, the competing states are following a path from space militarization to weaponization which has aggravated the threat of space war.