Outer space is no longer a domain reserved primarily for states and scientific exploration. It has become an essential part of modern infrastructure, economic activity and technological innovation. Satellite based systems enable communication, navigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring and numerous services on which governments, businesses and societies increasingly depend. At the same time, the rapid growth of commercial space activities, the rising number of actors and the increasing use of orbital environments are creating legal questions that cannot be answered by traditional space law alone.
The Research Center for Space Law and Governance (RC:SPACE) examines how law can shape this transformation. Its research focuses on the legal frameworks required to ensure that space activities are conducted safely, resiliently and sustainably while preserving the conditions for innovation and commercial development. The RC:SPACE addresses regulatory challenges across the entire space value chain. These range from the operation of spacecraft and launch infrastructure to collision avoidance services and the provision of space based data.
A particular focus lies on the changing distribution of roles and responsibilities within the space sector. Space activities are increasingly organised through complex and cross border structures involving operators, service providers, technology companies, public authorities and international organisations. The RC:SPACE investigates:
How can responsibilities be clearly allocated within complex structures?
How can effective supervision and enforcement be ensured?
How can legal frameworks respond to new technologies, services and business models?
How can liability be clearly allocated when space activities cause damage?
The proposed EU Space Act highlights three issues that will shape the future of space regulation. These are safety, resilience and environmental sustainability. These priorities raise fundamental questions concerning collision avoidance, space debris mitigation, cybersecurity, risk management, authorisation, registration and the supervision of space activities. They also illustrate the growing importance of coherent governance structures capable of connecting national, European and international regulation.
By bringing together space law, technology regulation and governance research, the RC:SPACE creates a platform for analysing these developments and contributing to the legal framework of tomorrow’s space sector. It connects academic research with regulatory practice, technological expertise and the perspectives of public and private actors. Its aim is to develop legal solutions that provide clarity, enable innovation and support the responsible and sustainable use of outer space.