Preface

The vast expanse of outer space, despite its seemingly boundless nature, is becoming increasingly cluttered and, consequentially, increasingly contentious. As the prospects of commercial, scientific, and even touristic activities in space grow, the need to regulate this environment becomes ever more pressing. “A Study on Current Legal Space Regime, Space Salvage and Debris Remediation: Legal Perspective and Dispute Resolution” seeks to illuminate the multifaceted challenges that arise from the exploration and utilization of the final frontier.
In this work, we strive to traverse the comprehensive terrain of space law, debris management, and space salvage. As readers delve into the first chapter, they will encounter an overview that provides foundational concepts about space, its vast reaches, the evolution of space activities, and its pivotal objects. A thorough understanding of space and its features is instrumental in grasping the forthcoming analysis of the legal intricacies that govern it.
The second chapter dives into the much-debated issues of space debris, its management, the role of salvage law in outer space, and the pivotal concern of space sustainability. Drawing parallels with maritime law and examining case studies, like the 2009 Iridium-Cosmos collision, we reflect on how terrestrial principles can be employed to mitigate cosmic challenges. We also deliberate on how to structure international cooperation to ensure the long-term use of space.
The third chapter shifts the lens to dissect space law’s evolution and its current regime. Taking readers through a timeline from the beginnings of land rights on Earth to the legal framework that governs celestial bodies, we delve deep into the various treaties, conventions, and instruments that form the backbone of outer space regulation. Further, a critical SWOT analysis and a detailed breakdown of the current legal landscape provide a clear perspective on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the prevailing space law.
The final chapter converges the earlier discussions into a coherent narrative of challenges and provides findings from our study. We put forth a suite of
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recommended remediation and mitigation measures, suggesting a structured governance system for outer space.
This book is an endeavor to blend academic rigor with practical insights. It is our hope that policymakers, scholars, students, and enthusiasts will find this work both enlightening and thought-provoking. As humanity continues to push its boundaries beyond our blue planet, we advocate for a legal framework that is as expansive, inclusive, and sustainable as the cosmos itself.

Prof. (Dr.) V. J. Praneshwaran

Mr. Girish M