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There is a growing realization on the part of lawmakers, policy experts and practitioners that cyber risks and threat vectors constitute a critical and strategic challenge for all outer space operations. Stakeholders' professional attention and resources are beginning to focus on measures for mitigating these risks and threats. Space-based activities depend on the reliable functionality of computer systems and the wireless communications connecting them through use of the electromagnetic spectrum resource – all of which constitute parts of the infrastructure of cyberspace both on Earth and in space. Thus, cyber risks and vulnerabilities arise in all aspects of outer space operations: satellite launches and their orbital telemetry, tracking, and control (TTC); operational communications (space-to-space, earth-to-space and space-to-earth); and other spectrum-dependent space transmissions. Additional cyber vulnerabilities are present in the terrestrial systems supporting space operations, including launch systems and supply chains for dedicated equipment and services. The mitigation of such cyber threats and vulnerabilities in the more traditional terrestrial context is a rapidly developing area of law and policy aiming to counter the activities of malicious cyber actors whether they are criminals, States or hostile ideological groups. On the one hand, the threat mitigation aspects of cybersecurity have by no means been resolved, as hostile actors use increasingly sophisticated means to achieve their ends. On the other, progress has been made with respect to measures and best practices recognized as critical to boosting cybersecurity for space activities. This article focuses on one of these: information sharing (IS) among trusted participants in a secure platform designed for sharing actionable cybersecurity data. The primary goal of such sharing is to reduce the informational asymmetry between the attacker and the target, whether the latter is a State, private company, or other entity. Cyber attackers leverage their knowledge of the target's vulnerabilities, and only need to be right on one occasion to cause operational, financial, and/or reputational damage that may impair the long-term functionality of the targeted entity. Yet when a group of potential targets can reliably share data on cyber risks and measures to counter them, the informational asymmetry is reduced, and cybersecurity improved. Several conditions exist for optimizing IS which provides actionable information, and for ensuring that trust is developed and maintained among IS participants. Finally, in the context of outer space-related cybersecurity threats, the paper argues that IS proves critical because of two elements: the aggravated asymmetry of cyber threat vectors in outer space, and their distinctive space-related characteristics. • There is a growing realization that cyber risks and threat vectors constitute a critical and strategic challenge for all outer space operations. • Stakeholders' professional attention and resources are focusing on measures for mitigating these risks and threats. • Space-based activities depend on the reliability of computer systems and their wireless connection, – which constitute the infrastructure of cyberspaceon Earth and in space. • Cyber risks and vulnerabilities arise in all aspects of outer space operations, andadditional. • Cyber vulnerabilities are present in the terrestrial systems supporting them. • Several conditions exist for optimizing IS which is actionable, and for ensuring that trust is maintained among IS participants. • Several conditions exist for optimizing IS which is actionable, and for ensuring that trust is maintained among IS participants. • Information sharing for outer space cybersecurity is critical because of the aggravated asymmetry of cyber threat vectors in space and their distinctive space-related characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, the number of member states in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) has risen by 40%. The UNCOPUOS continues to be one of the largest committees in the United Nations, with recent additions representing many emerging space nations including the Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Angola, Guatemala, and Bangladesh, among many others. This paper addresses the role of emerging space nations in updating and refining current policies and norms of behavior related to the long-term sustainability of the space environment. The paper provides examples of the recent implementation of long-term space sustainability design and operational guidelines in the national space strategies of several emerging space nations, highlighting the importance nations give to the development of legal mechanisms to regulate the peaceful use of the space environment. Examples of both national and regional initiatives are presented including Thailand's 2021 Draft National Space Act, aimed at creating a national legal regime and establishing a governmental agency dedicated to developing space policies for the registration of objects launched into outer space and space debris mitigation measures, and the National Space Law Initiative (NSLI) study group consisting of Australia, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam to create a framework that aims to promote information sharing and mutual learning in relation to the participants' respective national regulatory frameworks for long-term space sustainability. More recently, new initiatives have been developed that celebrate the efforts of satellite mission operators with the aim to reduce the likelihood of space debris and collisions among space objects. The Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) was created by the World Economic Forum, the European Space Agency, the University of Texas at Austin, BryceTech, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is now hosted by the EPFL Space Centre. The SSR is a rating system to assess and recognize missions that are designed to be compatible with sustainable and responsible operations, reducing the potential harm to the orbital environment and the impact on other operators. The SSR comprises six modules aimed at assessing missions for their compatibility with sustainable and responsible operations. This paper specifically focuses on evaluating the Detection, Identification and Tracking (DIT) scores for satellite missions launched by emerging space nations. The DIT module of the SSR serves as a standardized measure for assessing space sustainability. The paper adopts an exploratory multi-case study approach. Through this focused study, the paper identifies barriers and unique challenges emerging space nations face, including experiences of operator organizations, launch options, financial constraints, technical options available, and other relevant factors. • Paper title: Role of Emerging Nations in Ensuring Long-term Space Sustainability. • UNCOPUOS membership rises 40%, highlighting emerging nations in space policy. • Emerging space nations prioritize guidelines for peaceful and sustainable space use. • SSR serves as an effective tool for evaluating space sustainability metrics. • Case study on THEOS, CBERS, and SumbandilaSat reveals barriers for new players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automated robotics will profoundly influence space operations. By utilising machine learning and deep learning approaches, AI-enabled systems may accomplish tasks as well as improve their own performance. These capabilities are useful in the often-remote settings of outer space and will grow in value as automated space operations become more widespread. As AI extends throughout the space domain, automated algorithms will take on many of the roles that have historically been handled by humans. Artificial intelligence is progressing from theory to implementation in the space environment by exposing new satellites and orbital autonomous vehicles to new data. Even though all initial computational parameters are provided, such systems' outputs can be very unpredictable, putting people, property, and the environment at risk. This paper investigates the application of United Nations space treaties, selected regional AI regulations, and various 'soft-law' instruments and industry initiatives focusing on responsible AI system development to space-based AI systems. Following that, reforms are proposed to clarify the practical relationship between AI systems and the international legal regime that governs space, as well as a 'bottom-up' regulatory approach to better facilitate the future development of regulation governing the use of AI by the global space sector. While this work does not purport to provide a conclusive resolution to these multifaceted matters, its objective is to underscore significant obstacles that arise at the convergence of space law and AI, serving as a preliminary foundation for subsequent discussions on this issue. • Advances in AI and automated robotics will have a profound impact on space operations. Automated algorithms will take on roles traditionally handled by humans as AI becomes more widespread in space. • However, the unpredictable outputs of AI systems can put people, property, and the environment at risk, raising questions about liability. • The paper investigates the application of UN space treaties, regional AI regulations, and industry initiatives to space-based AI systems. • Reforms are proposed to clarify the relationship between AI systems and the international legal regime governing space. • A 'bottom-up' regulatory approach is suggested to facilitate future regulation of AI in the global space sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to address STM through an unconventional but pragmatic angle to help optimize efficient compliance governance. This paper proposes using antitrust mechanisms in space as a pragmatic and utilitarian tool for sustainable purposes with regards to STM within a soaring space ecosystem. In the context of accelerated space commercialization and privatization, having a new space antitrust framework at the helm of such transition might indeed prove to be a flexible yet decisive tool into shaping the future of STM and ensuring perennial protection of higher space principles which are enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty and form the essence of space law. On one hand, examples of antitrust key components include fair competition while, on the other hand, higher ethical principles of space law include non-discrimination and benefits sharing. Furthermore, in between these two extremes, security and commerce both rely, respectively on non-harmful interference and competitiveness. To navigate through all these factors, a new space antitrust framework might indeed prove strategic and beneficial to incentivizing the creation of an adaptive, polycentric and action-oriented governance mechanism with great resonance among the commercial new space players and reaffirm the importance of sustainable space traffic management before return on investment, while still making a profit in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurs and blue-chip corporations alike are seeking to capitalize on outer space's bountifulness, setting the NewSpace industry's growth ablaze and establishing an engine for an economic and technological revolution. However, meaningful impediments that could stifle the industry's growth are still present. The wide array of newly forming opportunities, pursued by a myriad of actors with various interests, encourages national legislatures to regulate where current international law leaves uncertainty. Such encouragement has created a landscape of conflicting national legislations, which thereby constructs an environment of regulatory competition as states vie for the attention of the NewSpace industry. This paper assesses some of the regulatory competitions already underway as well as provides insights into likely future competitions as technology improves and interest in NewSpace grows. Ultimately, this paper finds and warns of the effects of these competitions; specifically that, in many cases, the rise of regulatory competition threatens to lower the standards of governing policies. In such circumstances, this paper foresees the growing possibility of inhibiting the development of NewSpace, an unsettling outcome and a worthy cause for concern. • There is a lot of uncertainty when applying the current space law to private actors. • Uncertainty slows growth & impacts flow of private capital creating legal vacuum. • Governments writing national laws to fill vacuum creates regulatory competitions. • Regulatory competitions has & will lower industry standards hurting NewSpace growth. • Some international agreements, modernized for NewSpace, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]