This book explores how Europe is seeking to enlarge its launching capacities by building additional spaceports on the European continent. Various national initiatives are envisaged resulting in a “space race” in the field of constructing spaceports and building micro launchers. However, right from the beginning when choosing the launch site (land or sea based-rocket launches) there are various factors relating to international space law, European regulations and national rules that must be considered, as spaceports are rarely explicitly addressed in current legal and policy frameworks. While launching sites used to be operated by governments, private commercial initiatives are increasingly entering the field. This paradigm shift must be reflected within regulations relating to various aspects of space liability by enlarging the long-established terms of the United Nations space treaties to accommodate commercial space flights. Questions of permission, supervision and control require special liability regulations to avoid detrimental consequences stemming from the concept of “launching states” in view of the rise of private driven commercial space activities on a global level. Furthermore, not only do environmental aspects need to be thoroughly examined but also the concept of critical infrastructure requires special attention from a security perspective to anticipate, inter alia, cyber-attacks. For these reasons, several European and national regulations may need to be enlarged to apply to the entire space sector, using a harmonized approach that has direct implications for the regulations, programmes, and missions of the European Union and the European Space Agency, bearing in mind that the upcoming spaceports in Europe are an essential asset to substantially boost the European New Space.

In the modern world, technical issues define space policy. Missing from discussions of space policy, however, is a consideration of the political consequences of new space endeavors, particularly in the context of the European Union. This book, therefore, approaches space policy instead from the discipline of European studies and analyzes the European integration process through the lenses of political science, history, economics, and international relations. The strengths of each discipline are used to apply theoretical approaches to current issues in European space policy. Theorizing European Space Policy is the latest contribution to the growing debate on space policy and its role in the European integration process.

The increasing involvement of private enterprise in the conduct of space activities raises key issues with respect to international space law which has left it to national law to implement relevant rules vis-à-vis private enterprise. Almost unavoidably, such national implementation regimes differ largely across individual states. This is also true in Europe, where the issue is further compounded by the fundamental – but fundamentally different – roles of ESA and the European Union. Focusing on Europe, the present book thus represents the first comprehensive effort to discuss national authorisation schemes not country by country but theme by theme, so as to allow for a real comparison of the lack of harmonisation or even coordination, and the possible problems which may result.

“Tackles the ever-changing, twenty-first-century space industry and what privately funded projects like Elon Musk’s SpaceX mean for the future of space travel.” —Foreign Policy Creating a seismic shift in today’s space industry, private sector companies including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin are building a dizzying array of new spacecraft and rockets, not just for government use, but for any paying customer. At the heart of this space revolution are spaceports, the center and literal launching pads of spaceflight. Spaceports cost hundreds of millions of dollars, face extreme competition, and host operations that do not tolerate failures—which can often be fatal. Aerospace journalist Joe Pappalardo has witnessed space rocket launches around the world, from the jungle of French Guiana to the coastline of California. In his comprehensive work Spaceport Earth, Pappalardo describes the rise of private companies and how they are reshaping the way the world is using space for industry and science. Spaceport Earth is a travelogue through modern space history as it is being made, offering space enthusiasts, futurists, and technology buffs a close perspective of rockets and launch sites, and chronicling the stories of industrial titans, engineers, government officials, billionaires, schemers, and politicians who are redefining what it means for humans to be a spacefaring species. “Private companies and rich people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have taken over the exploration of space. Pappalardo explores this new sort of spacefaring at the outer reaches of business and technology.” —The New York Times “For anyone obsessed with how spaceflight grew into what it is today, this book is a must-have.” —Popular Mechanics

When international rules and regulations governing space travel were first being developed, only a few countries had any space presence and commercial space activity was non-existent. Today, over 50 countries have on-orbit satellites and commercial space presence is essential to commercial telecommunications and broadcasting, yet international space law remains in its infancy.Space Safety Regulations and Standards is the definitive book on regulatory initiatives involving space safety, new space safety standards, and safety related to new space technologies under development. More than 30 world experts come together in this book to share their detailed knowledge of regulatory and standard making processes in the area, combining otherwise disparate information into one essential reference and providing case studies to illustrate applications throughout space programs internationally. They address the international regulatory framework that relates to traditional space safety programs as well as the emerging regulatory framework that relates to commercial space programs, space tourism, and efforts to create commercial space station facilities. Fully endorsed by the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) and provides the only definitive reference on regulations and standards for the field of space safety Combines the technical, legal and regulatory information in a clear and integrated reference work suitable for technical professionals, regulators, legal experts, and students in the field Presents a truly global insight from experienced space safety experts worldwide, with representatives from the leading associations, institutions and companies operating in the arena today

This book analyzes the commercial space activities and commercialization processes of the last fifteen years and maps the future challenges that NewSpace companies will face developing commercial space markets. What is new and what has happened in these markets up till now? Is there a business case for private companies for commercial space? What are the targeted commercial space markets? Who are the future customers for commercial space transportation markets? How can NewSpace companies attract investors? Can we learn lessons from traditional space industries or other companies in other areas? In what way have the last fifteen years made a difference in the evolution of space markets? Is there a future for in-situ resource mining, space debris services, in-orbit satellite servicing and sub-orbital transportation? What are the lessons learned from ISS commercialization? In addition the reader will find a synopsis of several space transportation programs, commercial space markets, future Moon and Mars missions, in-situ resource exploitation concepts, space debris mitigation projects and sub-orbital commercial markets. Major lessons learned are identified, related to the attraction of first time customers and long term R&D funding, managing technological and market risks and developing new markets and applications.

The book provides an analysis of the dynamics of the global launch service market associated with small satellites, by placing a particular focus on its unfolding trends and future outlook. From an economic perspective, the emergence of numerous micro launcher initiatives on top of already existing launch solutions for small satellites raises questions about the specific nature and size of the small satellite market that will - or could - be addressed by these emerging launch services offerings. Identifying the specific features of such market by characterizing customers' expectations and providing a competitive analysis of the different launch solutions for small satellites is the second objective of this report. Finally, and from a policy perspective, the book reflects on whether such market could and should be handled on a purely private basis in the European context, or on the contrary generates relevant stakes that compels European institutional actors to become more actively involved in this domain.

The Routledge Handbook of Commercial Space Law provides a definitive survey of the transitions and adjustments across the stakeholder community contributing to outer space activities. The interaction between NewSpace, traditional aerospace industrials, and non-traditional space-related technologies is driving market changes which will affect state practice in what has until now been a government dominated market. Greater private commercial participation will lead to new economic approaches to risk-sharing models driven by a space services dominated market. This handbook is a detailed reference source of original articles which analyse and critically evaluate the scope of the current paradigm change, and explain why space contracts and risk apportionment as currently known will change in tune with ongoing market transitions. Reference is made to the scope of best practices across various leading states involved in space activities. With contributions from a selection of highly regarded and leading scholars and practitioners in the Commercial Space Law field, and the inclusion of salient documents, regulatory and contractual documents, the Routledge Handbook of Commercial Space Law is an essential resource for students, scholars, and practitioners who are interested in the field of Commercial Space Law.

Space policy is at the cutting edge of current EU policy developments and is a fascinating object of study, involving multiple and diverse actors. It is also an original and contemporary lens for studying European policy-making. This book explores advances in European space policy and their significance for European integration. Using a ‘framing’ methodology, it addresses central questions in European studies in order to form an interdisciplinary bridge between current research in space policy and contemporary European political studies. It assesses the interests of EU institutions in space and how these institutions perceive space policy. Furthermore, it demonstrates that space is a cross-cutting policy domain affecting a diverse range of EU policy fields, such as security, transport and migration, and underpinning the 21st century European and global economy. In doing so, this volume firmly locates space policy in the field of European Studies. This innovative volume will be of key interest to students and scholars of a range of policy areas including common foreign and security policy, technology policy, transport policy, internal market policies, environmental policy, development aid and disaster-risk management, as well as the EU institutions.

This brief presents a concise description of the existing spaceport market, the technologies being tested and developed at them, and the private companies that are making them possible. While NASA has its own plan for the future of space exploration, one that includes a new shuttle, an interplanetary spacecraft, and astronauts going to Mars, many people believe that the real future of space exploration is currently centered around dozens of commercial spaceports, financed by entrepreneurs inspired not only by profit but by the dream of creating a new space age, one not limited by bureaucracies or by budget allocations. Commercial spaceports in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Alaska, as well as in countries like Curaçao and Sweden, are becoming home to dozens of private aerospace companies and provide a place where cutting-edge technology can be developed, tested and launched into space. Based on original interviews with principles at the various companies involved and on-site observations at the Mojave Air and Space Port, the author traces the early days of the spaceport movement and outlines what lies ahead.