Outer Space Governance: The New Global Frontier

As humanity returns to the Moon through missions like Artemis II and private space ambitions expand, outer space is no longer just a scientific frontier—it is rapidly becoming a geopolitical, legal, and economic arena.

• Competition over lunar resources, satellite dominance, strategic positioning, and commercial extraction has intensified debates over who governs space and under what rules.

Why Outer Space Governance Matters

• Outer space is regarded as the common heritage/common concern of humankind, not the exclusive domain of a few powerful states.
• Governance is needed to:
  • prevent conflict in space,
  • regulate access to lunar and extraterrestrial resources,
  • ensure peaceful use,
  • avoid monopolisation by early movers,
  • protect the ....