Examining the compliance of private space investments with international space law: Example of 'Starlink' Project

Space programs which are carried out by both states and private companies are making significant contributions to the development of technology in many areas. During Cold War years, space activities have started as another venue of competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. In this competition, which is dubbed as 'space race,' both sides carried out space programs with national security concern and prestige as the main motive. Private companies, however, have started to be visible in this sector only after space technologies and capabilities became more sophisticated and available for them. Private investors and states have started to get mutual benefits from services provided by the private contractors whereby the space sector have become truly globalized. International space law aims to regulate sovereign behaviors of space actors about peaceful use of space and the extent of space projects. United Nations has been the key international institution which spearheaded the emergence of related international documents on which the current version of space law is based. In addition to the international treaties, there are also some other general principles developed by the UN about peaceful use of space. Private companies have entered the space sector for the obvious purpose of making profit. This fact is the main reasons for accelerated pace of space sector development in recent decades. Currently, there are more than ten thousand private companies working in space sector all over the world. They face many challenges about the future of space, including legal and environmental issues. Within this context, this paper explores whether private sector investments comply with existing international legal regime concerning space. This study employs qualitative social science research methods. Annual reports of the related international institutions are utilized for data collection. In this study, sovereign state practices, historical developments in space activities, rather chaotic situation of space programs after Cold War era are examined. After pointing out main principles of the treaties regarding space law, the thesis focuses on current dynamics of the space sector are explored by using the example of 'Starlink' Project.