Comparative Law in Space: A Training Ground for Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue

After decades of exceptional development of the digital sector, we are witnessing a renewed interest of public and private entities in outer space, with the simultaneous presence of national defense and geopolitical strategic interests and new business interests aiming to profit. Space law is characterized by a core of international law, but, in our times, it cannot just be defined as a branch of international law. Problems and complications are due to the presence of different interests and of different legal cultures, which require a significant effort of compromise and openness to be reconciled to everyone’s satisfaction, in order to obtain the peaceful adherence and cooperation of all the stakeholders with the adopted solutions. Technological evolution and the consequent growing role of space economy require, at all the domestic and international levels, more detailed and certain legal rules. Selected contributions from the conference “Comparative Visions in Space Law” have been collected in this book, reflecting the cross-boundary approach which characterized the event: dialogue among a multitude of disciplines and legal experiences, shaping new horizons of collaboration which are indispensable to understand the economic, geopolitical, diplomatic stakes of space law, and its technical aspects and difficulties.