This book delves into the complexities of space governance, offering innovative solutions for a sustainable future. From the pressing issues facing space governance today to creating a consensus on responsibility, ethics, and frameworks, we aim to answer key questions:

(i) What are the current challenges?

(ii) How do satellites impact society?

(iii) What are the potential negative consequences?

From communication and early warning systems to global broadcasting and navigation, satellite technology plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. However, this reliance also exposes vulnerabilities, as any disruption to satellite systems could have disastrous consequences across multiple industries.

The rapid development of satellite technology, including drones and UAVs, has ushered in a new era of exploration and exploitation. Yet, this progress brings with it new challenges, particularly in terms of governance. As satellites transcend national boundaries, the dynamics of space governance become increasingly complex, with various entities pursuing their own interests without always considering the broader implications.

This book bridges the knowledge gap surrounding space technology and highlights the need for increased governance frameworks, data protection, and disciplined deployment. By addressing issues of control, privacy, and security, we pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible approach to space exploration.

Join us on this journey as we navigate the evolving landscape of space governance and chart a course towards a brighter future for all.

This book helps to bridge the knowledge gap that currently surrounds space technology and its method of exploration and highlights much-needed awareness and attention to an increase in Space Law and sustainable measures. The ever-increasing usage of space-based solutions by both public and commercial entities is producing congestion in the radio frequency spectrum as well as orbital slots. The inevitable commercialization of satellite technology will certainly result in a proliferation of privately owned and managed satellite spacecraft in low-Earth orbits. Cyber vulnerabilities in the Air Force and the DoD frequently ignore satellite ground systems. Space ground system cyber security assaults and investigations include those involving satellite control, communications terminal hacking, and GPS spoofing. A continuous cyber security assessment technique is required for space systems to identify, assess, reduce, and address sophisticated cyber threats. Risk-based compliance, regular cybersecurity risk assessments, and a renewed focus on the elimination of system flaws at the time of design are all necessary for space ground and control systems.

Due to the absence of a rigid regulatory framework, satellites play a significant part in the production of space debris, which is a source of increasing worry. Such debris manufactured artificially contributes greatly to the destruction of the environment in Earth’s orbit. There is not a single framework in existence that can appropriately govern contemporary concerns like the security of satellite data and debris in orbit. The Department of Defence (DoD) is now responsible for monitoring all objects in space; however, it cannot require satellite operators to take precautions against potential collisions.

Risk Management in Outer Space Activities assesses selected risks associated with space activities, from an Australian and New Zealand perspective. The book explores the rise of commercial space activities and considers the development of Australia and New Zealand’s regulatory frameworks, and how they are equipped to address new and emerging risks in the space sector.

The book examines the juxtaposition of international space law against the domestic legal regimes of Australia and New Zealand, and how these regulatory frameworks are designed to create governance mechanisms to control space risk. Both national jurisdictions approach space risk from the perspective of liability and international legal obligations, but as a result of their different historical space trajectories, their risk approaches differ. This is illustrated by research that suggests that from an Australian point of view, much of its space industry development has been influenced by Cold War era military and national security concerns. On the other hand, the New Zealand perspective is grounded on the rapid market-led commercial development that is currently underway in the country.

The work contained in this book is intended to provide a clear, practical and informed approach to understanding risk management in outer space activities. It will appeal to policy makers, risk professionals, space lawyers, national space agencies as well as academics, researchers and students

This book explores multidisciplinary perspectives on critical issues in space from the viewpoints of New Zealand and other nations. It brings together the topics examined at the Otago Foreign Policy School 2022 by both domestic and international experts in the area of space, and includes the opening address on space policy delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This book takes a multidisciplinary approach to New Zealand’s growing space sector in conjunction with other nations’ perspectives on space. It encompasses space science, military and defence matters, space tourism and astronaut rescue, and international legal and policy frameworks, while taking into account future considerations. Readers such as academics, students, policy advisers, diplomats, government officials and others engaged in the field of space will find value in this book. It will appeal to think tanks and international institutions grappling with the complexities that are presented by the outer space domain.

This book delves into the complexities of space governance, offering innovative solutions for a sustainable future. From the pressing issues facing space governance today to creating a consensus on responsibility, ethics, and frameworks, we aim to answer key questions:

(i) What are the current challenges?

(ii) How do satellites impact society?

(iii) What are the potential negative consequences?

From communication and early warning systems to global broadcasting and navigation, satellite technology plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. However, this reliance also exposes vulnerabilities, as any disruption to satellite systems could have disastrous consequences across multiple industries.

The rapid development of satellite technology, including drones and UAVs, has ushered in a new era of exploration and exploitation. Yet, this progress brings with it new challenges, particularly in terms of governance. As satellites transcend national boundaries, the dynamics of space governance become increasingly complex, with various entities pursuing their own interests without always considering the broader implications.

This book bridges the knowledge gap surrounding space technology and highlights the need for increased governance frameworks, data protection, and disciplined deployment. By addressing issues of control, privacy, and security, we pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible approach to space exploration.

Join us on this journey as we navigate the evolving landscape of space governance and chart a course towards a brighter future for all.

This book helps to bridge the knowledge gap that currently surrounds space technology and its method of exploration and highlights much-needed awareness and attention to an increase in Space Law and sustainable measures. The ever-increasing usage of space-based solutions by both public and commercial entities is producing congestion in the radio frequency spectrum as well as orbital slots. The inevitable commercialization of satellite technology will certainly result in a proliferation of privately owned and managed satellite spacecraft in low-Earth orbits. Cyber vulnerabilities in the Air Force and the DoD frequently ignore satellite ground systems. Space ground system cyber security assaults and investigations include those involving satellite control, communications terminal hacking, and GPS spoofing. A continuous cyber security assessment technique is required for space systems to identify, assess, reduce, and address sophisticated cyber threats. Risk-based compliance, regular cybersecurity risk assessments, and a renewed focus on the elimination of system flaws at the time of design are all necessary for space ground and control systems.

Due to the absence of a rigid regulatory framework, satellites play a significant part in the production of space debris, which is a source of increasing worry. Such debris manufactured artificially contributes greatly to the destruction of the environment in Earth’s orbit. There is not a single framework in existence that can appropriately govern contemporary concerns like the security of satellite data and debris in orbit. The Department of Defence (DoD) is now responsible for monitoring all objects in space; however, it cannot require satellite operators to take precautions against potential collisions.

Risk Management in Outer Space Activities assesses selected risks associated with space activities, from an Australian and New Zealand perspective. The book explores the rise of commercial space activities and considers the development of Australia and New Zealand’s regulatory frameworks, and how they are equipped to address new and emerging risks in the space sector.

The book examines the juxtaposition of international space law against the domestic legal regimes of Australia and New Zealand, and how these regulatory frameworks are designed to create governance mechanisms to control space risk. Both national jurisdictions approach space risk from the perspective of liability and international legal obligations, but as a result of their different historical space trajectories, their risk approaches differ. This is illustrated by research that suggests that from an Australian point of view, much of its space industry development has been influenced by Cold War era military and national security concerns. On the other hand, the New Zealand perspective is grounded on the rapid market-led commercial development that is currently underway in the country.

The work contained in this book is intended to provide a clear, practical and informed approach to understanding risk management in outer space activities. It will appeal to policy makers, risk professionals, space lawyers, national space agencies as well as academics, researchers and students

This book explores multidisciplinary perspectives on critical issues in space from the viewpoints of New Zealand and other nations. It brings together the topics examined at the Otago Foreign Policy School 2022 by both domestic and international experts in the area of space, and includes the opening address on space policy delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This book takes a multidisciplinary approach to New Zealand’s growing space sector in conjunction with other nations’ perspectives on space. It encompasses space science, military and defence matters, space tourism and astronaut rescue, and international legal and policy frameworks, while taking into account future considerations. Readers such as academics, students, policy advisers, diplomats, government officials and others engaged in the field of space will find value in this book. It will appeal to think tanks and international institutions grappling with the complexities that are presented by the outer space domain.