Per aspera ad astra: Pathway to sustainable development in outer space

This thesis gives an overview of the different approaches to delimitation of air space and outer space, highlights their individual strengths and weaknesses and the complex geopolitical challenges around it. This is complemented by a current status of the outer space environment calling to attention the importance of a sustainable outer space environment. An analysis of the fundamental legal framework of outer space law supported by the Cologne Commentary of Space Law will identify notions of sustainable development that can be found in the fundamental legal framework of space law. Furter analysis of recommendation and guidelines by international organization develop a full picture of the mitigation strategies for space debris. Semi-structured interviews with experts from the public and private space sector help to identify the current challenges of the sustainability for outer space. Furthermore, they enabled the finding of gaps and potential improvements in the current legal framework. The findings of this thesis indicate that addressing the issue of orbital debris requires a multidimensional approach. Although the guidelines established by international organizations are considered suitable for tackling the challenges of space sustainability, they share a fundamental weakness with the broader legal framework of space law, which is the lack of enforceability. In order to develop space sustainable, it requires the development of a more robust legal framework, the advancement of relevant technologies, and potentially the adoption of an 18th SDG for sustainable exploration of outer space, with the aim of enhancing public awareness.