Who Really Controls the Final Frontier in Space Law 2025?

The once-empty skies above Earth are now packed with satellites, rocket stages, and startup dreams. But while space technology has advanced rapidly, the rules guiding it are still catching up. That’s changing fast.

In 2025, governments and agencies are rolling out new laws, tightening licensing frameworks, and launching sustainability initiatives. Legal experts, policy leaders, and academics are calling it a pivotal moment. Here’s a look at what’s happening and what the professionals are saying.

U.S. Rethinks Space Launch Regulations

In the United States, commercial space companies have called for an overhaul of the launch approval process. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing its Part 450 rules, which many say have become an obstacle rather than a gateway.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in launch frequency and the current framework isn’t keeping up.” said Laura Montgomery, space law attorney and former FAA counsel, speaking to Akin Gump’s 2025 space law briefing.

The U.S. House Science Committee has now requested an independent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), aiming to modernize the system to meet the fast-changing demands of commercial spaceflight.

UK Positions Itself as a Global Space Regulator

The United Kingdom isn’t just aiming to be a space launch hub—it wants to be a global regulator. George Freeman, former UK Science Minister, has called for Britain to lead efforts to establish international standards for responsible space operations.

“This is a huge opportunity for the UK. We should seize it.” said Mr. Freeman in an April 2025 interview with The Guardian.

Backed by Lloyd’s of London, Freeman is pushing the Earth Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI), which offers companies faster licenses, lower insurance premiums, and access to ESG finance if they commit to debris-free operations and sustainable practices in orbit.

Europe Builds Its Own Network and New Laws

In Brussels, the European Union is building a new satellite system IRIS², designed to secure data and create a sovereign alternative to foreign constellations like Starlink. Alongside that, the EU is drafting its first full-scale space law, expected to introduce wide-ranging rules on orbital safety, data privacy, and critical infrastructure.

“We’re building Europe’s sovereign infrastructure in space.” said Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, speaking in late 2024.

Legal scholars say this could be one of the most comprehensive space laws ever passed in Europe, with global implications for satellite operators and telecom firms.

Who Owns Outer Space? Global Voices Weigh In

The growing complexity of orbital activity is also raising questions about ownership, access, and international law. Legal experts argue that whoever sets the rules now will define the future of space for decades.

“Outer space, which includes the moon, asteroids and other celestial bodies, is considered beyond the national jurisdiction of any one state, but the rules made here on Earth will determine the future of space for our planet,” said Professor Colleen Graffy, international law expert at Pepperdine University.

This perspective echoes a growing concern among legal scholars: as space turns into a stage for economic expansion and geopolitical tension, the laws we shape today must be fair, enforceable, and open to all.

The Urgent Need for Diverse Voices in Space Law

One of the clearest calls for inclusion in global space rulemaking has come from Professor Timiebi Aganaba, a legal scholar at Arizona State University who has worked with both NASA and the UN.

“This is an area of rulemaking where they’re just setting up the rules for the future, so you need to have a perspective now. If the system gets built without you, if you come in later, people will start quoting laws to you.” said Timiebi Aganaba in a recent interview with .

The warning is clear: space law isn’t just about rockets, it’s about who gets to shape the future. And if you’re not at the table now, you may be left behind.

Zero Debris: The New Global Standard?

The environmental cost of orbital activity is also in the spotlight. The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a “Zero Debris Charter” and is in talks with major players, including SpaceX to get on board.

“We want to bring in the major players,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, during a press briefing in late 2024.

More than 100 organizations have already signed on, and the initiative is seen as the beginning of a global shift toward orbital cleanup and debris-free design.

Who Really Controls the Final Frontier in Space Law 2025?