Legal Aspects Concerning Space Traffic Management

Recent developments in the aerospace sector combined with the increased involvement of commercial entities in space activities have shown that there is need to adopt some 'rules of the road' in outer space. The aim of the paper is to elaborate on the possible paths leading towards the regulation of Space Traffic Management (STM) and elements of STM that should be addressed as part of a new regulatory regime governing space traffic. Special attention will be given to a new possible mandate of the International Civil Aviation Organization, which appears to be well capacitated to carry out the tasks related to space safety, including STM, particularly with respect to regulation, oversight and implementation of STM.