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Abstract

This paper examines the challenges of outer space governance in the context of its transformation into a new ‘global commons,’ facing the risk of overexploitation, militarization, and commercialization. Beginning with a historical overview of space exploration from the Cold War space race to today’s multipolar arena, the study highlights how space, once a realm of rivalry restricted between two superpowers, has evolved into a shared domain with economic, strategic, and scientific dimensions that transcend beyond nations.
Central to the analysis is the concept of the tragedy of the commons, first coined by Garrett Hardin in 1968, which illustrates the perils of the unregulated exploitation of common pool resources. The paper criticizes the lack of a comprehensive governance framework for space, with a particular focus on the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and its shortcomings in addressing today’s challenges, such as the rise of commercial space actors and new military technologies. It further explores competing initiatives like the US-led International Space Station and Russia and China’s alternative alliances, suggesting that the fragmentation of space governance increases the risk of monopolizing resources and restricting equitable access in line with the principles of the Outer Space Treaty.
Concluding with a call for a more sustainable and inclusive space governance framework, the paper advocates for a cooperative global approach to space management. It proposes that effective regulation should balance access, security, and sustainability, ensuring that space remains a shared resource for all humankind, free from militarized competition and commercial monopolization.