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Space Lawyers

History

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space. As the United States and Russia competed for space supremacy, a need developed to create legal regulations and agreements for the exploration and usage of outer space and ways to address and resolve disagreements between countries that were engaging in such activities. As a result, the career of space lawyer emerged. In 1960, the International Institute of Space Law was founded to foster the development of space law. During the 1960s and 1970s, attorneys and space policy analysts played a major role in working with lawmakers and delegates to the United Nations to create the legal frameworks and treaties that govern space operations today. Major achievements include:

  • 1963: Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space
  • 1967: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies
  • 1968: Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space
  • 1972: Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
  • 1976: Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
  • 1984: Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (which was adopted by the General Assembly in 1979, but not brought into full force until 1984)

The commercial space market was valued at $450 billion as of May 2025, an increase compared to $385 billion in 2017, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Many NASA-sponsored space exploration and research missions will also continue or launch during this time period. The explosive growth of the industry will create demand for space lawyers to create new frameworks and treaties to address the rise of private space tourism and space commerce activities, advise companies and government agencies on various topics and developments, and perform many other legal duties.

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