Geopolitics in Orbit: Power, Policy, and the New Space Race
The space economy is no longer just a commercial venture—it is a strategic domain where national interests, security priorities, and global influence are being redefined. As major powers race to secure orbital infrastructure, lunar territory, and satellite networks, space has become central to modern defense systems, global communications, and economic resilience. Control of space assets increasingly shapes geopolitical leverage, regulatory frameworks, and alliances on Earth, making space a critical theater in 21st-century power dynamics.
RESEARCH RELEASE:
Regulations in Space: Frameworks for Governance, Resource Utilization, Debris Management, and Economic Growth—A Historical Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of six decades of space regulatory development examining international treaties, national legislation from 13+ nations, Artemis Accords expansion to 60 signatories, debris management protocols, and resource utilization frameworks. Documents governance evolution from 1967 Outer Space Treaty through contemporary 2025-2026 national policies addressing commercial operations, licensing requirements, and compliance frameworks. 65-page analysis with jurisdictional comparisons, treaty chronologies, and regulatory roadmaps for policy advisors, investors, engineers, and industry executives navigating cislunar economy governance.
Regulations in Space: Governance Frameworks, Resource Utilization, Debris Management, and Economic Growth—A Historical Analysis
In October 2020, eight founding nations launched the Artemis Accords establishing operational principles for lunar exploration; by January 2026, 60 signatories spanning all continents except Antarctica had joined this plurilateral framework. This validates the pragmatic evolution of space governance from Cold War-era binding treaties to contemporary coordination mechanisms addressing commercial resource extraction, debris remediation, and sustainable orbital operations. This white paper examines six decades of regulatory development from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty through contemporary national legislation and multilateral initiatives, analyzing framework maturation across governance domains, resource utilization regimes, and debris management protocols. As mega-constellations proliferate and commercial platforms prepare for lunar operations during the 2025-2030 transition window, understanding this layered regulatory architecture becomes essential for evaluating jurisdictional risks, licensing opportunities, and compliance requirements governing the projected USD 170 billion cislunar economy by 2040.
The Emerging Space Economy: Navigating Geopolitical Dynamics and Opportunities
The emerging space economy heralds a new era of geopolitical maneuvers as countries vie for technological and strategic supremacy. Driven by national interests and technological advancements, this sector is progressively saturated with diverse players from global powerhouses to emerging economies.