Legal Implications of Commercialization of Outer Space

Ever since the first Sputnik 1 was launched on 1957 by the Soviets, space exploration has been an adventurous prospect for mankind. From satellites, to manned missions to International Space stations, space exploration has been constantly growing and expanding. However, unlike the past, space exploration is no longer limited to the State Governments. With the increase in private companies like Space X, Virgin galactic etc. , all investing on commercialization of space, we need to understand the legal implications of such increased privatization especially in relation to property rights of these companies. . Also, whether international laws and regulations are apt in supporting such new found space activities. Thus in this article I, shall be discussing on the present international laws that govern the outer space activities of States and their relevance. I shall focus on how the commercialization of space is going to create various legal complications on the concept of rights and duties of the State and how such commercialization of space is going to change the fundamental concept of �non-appropriation� and �res communis�.