Who Owns Outer Space?

From Space debris to asteroid strikes to anti-satellite weapons, humanity’s rapid expansion into Space raises major environmental, safety and security challenges. In this book, Michael Byers and Aaron Boley, an international lawyer and an astrophysicist, identify and interrogate these challenges and propose actionable solutions. They explore essential questions, from ‘How do we ensure that all of humanity benefits from the development of Space, and not just the world’s richest people?’ to ‘Is it possible to avoid war in Space?’ Byers and Boley explain the essential aspects of Space science, international law, and global governance in a fully transdisciplinary and highly accessible way. Addressing the latest and emerging developments in Space, they equip readers with the knowledge and tools to engage in current and critically important legal, policy and scientific debates concerning the future development of Space. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. Professor Byers co-directs the Outer Space Institute, a global network of Space experts united by their commitment to transdisciplinary research that addresses grand challenges in the exploration and use of Space.

Aaron Boley holds the Canada Research Chair in Planetary Astronomy at the University of British Columbia. Professor Boley co-directs the Outer Space Institute and conducts research into planetary dynamics, astrophysical discs, meteoritics, artificial satellites and space sustainability.