Space law is a branch of international law, similar to air and maritime law, but which has the specificity of being influenced by other sources of law, both of public and private character. As a consequence, the law applicable to space activities is not limited to outer space law, on the contrary, there are many other laws and regulations that should be applied as well, particularly in view of the increase in privately organised space activities.
Today's Exchange provides a broad overview of Space Law, based on an in-depth interview with ESA's Director of Legal and External Relations, René Oosterlinck, who is also a Professor of Space Law at Gent University in Belgium, where the interview was recorded.

Space Law

Throughout history whenever new territories have been discovered the question of who owns them and what laws apply is raised. Well ëOuter Spaceí is no exception. But who owns and regulates space and why are space laws necessary?
Image of planet travelling through galaxy 10:58 Euronews
ITW 1 Prof. René Oosterlinck "" It started in 1957 with the first launch of Spoutnick, shortly followed in 58 by the United States. At that time we were in the cold War , in the middle of the Cold War and there was a danger that space could be use for military purposes.""
At the time East and West were separated by an Iron curtain, which wasnít only a physical frontier but also symbolic of the differences and rivalry of opposing ideologies.
Archives cold war - report 03:07 b-roll 01:09:26
ITW 2 Prof. René Oosterlinck "" There was a competition between the Soviet Union and the United States and no one knew who will be the first on the Moon, for example. So, therefore they both ag