Presentation short abstract

As private actors push the frontiers of space technology, the pace of innovation is outstripping existing governance frameworks, making it clear that robust, enforceable oversight is essential to ensure that this new era of space activity is safe, sustainable, and equitable.

Presentation long abstract

Humanity is entering a new era in which space is no longer a distant frontier. The rapid rise of commercial launch providers, reusable rockets and large satellite constellations has transformed space activity from a slow, state-led endeavor into a high-frequency industrial sector. But “There is no free l(a)unch!”, while this shift carries immense scientific promise, it also produces impacts that we are only beginning to understand.

On the ground, expanding launch corridors and testing zones have altered coastal wetlands, disturbed wildlife habitats and introduced new pathways for chemical contamination. Communities may face unpredictable risks from satellite debris that survives re-entry and falls from the sky. In orbit, the multiplication of satellites particularly from mega-constellations (ex: Starlink) have changed the night sky, creating persistent interference with astronomical research. This also poses concerns about orbital crowding, collision cascades and the long-term safety of low-Earth orbit.

A critical challenge soon will be ensuring compliance from private agencies whose satellite constellations and launch capacities may expand rapidly. Existing international frameworks, including those developed by UNOOSA, remain normatively valuable but provide limited practical tools for monitoring environmental impacts or enforcing accountability among commercial operators.

This gap highlights the need for coordinated international oversight of space activities’ impacts. Strengthened review boards, clear technical standards, and equitable governance guidelines could safeguard ecosystems and prevent global inequalities as space activity intensifies. To ensure compliance, states might link licensing, frequency allocation, or ground-station access to adherence to environmental and safety standards, creating strong incentives for responsible behavior among operators.