Space Privatization, Colonization, and Militarization: A New Frontier for International Law

Early into the 21st century, technological developments made unparalleled advances in the field of space. The realm of outer space has seen a change from exploration to technology-driven, ambitious goals more aligned with national interests and security. In this paper I ask the following research question: How can international organizations and law address the rapid advances in space exploration? To answer the research question, I conducted three case studies: 1) space privatization, 2) space colonization, and 3) space militarization. According to my research, existing international law cannot inhibit conflict in the 21st century characterized by intense competition to obtain space power. To inhibit space conflict, new international norms and laws need to be adopted that address the rapid pace of technological development , as well as the market-oriented and laissez-faire way in which technological development is carried out in order to prevent a single hegemonic state from securing space dominance