Rapp, Lucien and Topka, Maria (2021) Small Satellite Constellations, Infrastructure Shift and Space Market Regulation. In: Legal Aspects Around Satellite Contellations: Volume 2 Froehlich, Annette (ed.) Springer. Series “Studies in Space Policy. vol 31” Cham, Suisse pp. 1-28. ISBN 9783-030713843

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Abstract

With the commissioning of the first constellations of hundreds or even thousands of small satellites, we are witnessing today an infrastructure shift. While it has not completely distanced the exploration and use of outer space from the dramatic geopolitical and military implications they once entailed for States, it is undoubtedly transforming this realm into a new economic frontier of competition, with its predominant players, this time being private profit-driven actors sensitive to market forces. As the exploitation of outer space becomes more economically viable, new commercial services should emerge through the deployment of SmallSat constellations and the provision of services by means thereof, creating a risk of increased dependency of the services consumed on earth on these newinfrastructures.
Therefore, new legal challenges pertaining to competition, foreign investment and the global economy as a whole do arise.