Developing a legal regime for space tourism: Pioneering a legal framework for space commercialization

Abstract

Space Tourism, considered not an area of priority for commercialization, has never been so heatedly discussed until the historic arrival of two "unexpected" tourists. The development of space tourism no doubt calls for a legal regime, which can better regulate the market and offer clear guidance and expected outcome for the business. It has been widely argued that the existing international space treaties are ill-fitted for space commercialization. The development of a legal regime appears all the more important, even before the space tourism becomes expendable for most people. As long as the space travel technology is mature, there are always business opportunities for space tourism. The present paper discusses the potential for a commercial space tourism industry and advocates a legal regime.