Impact of needs of space economy development on the legal regulation (a case study of the Luxembourg initiative SpaceResources.lu)

Abstract

This article presents the results obtained within the framework of the research program for novelties of modern space law that arise in connection with the needs of the space economy development. Based on the analysis of the effects of the Luxembourg initiative SpaceResources.lu (February 2016 to December 2019), the author investigates possible consequences for the system of international space law. There is a growing global interest in replicating the experience of Luxembourg for creating "legal offshore" to stimulate new types of space activities. The facts demonstrate that implementation of the initiative SpaceResources.lu, supported by the tools of "soft power," "soft law", investments, and other technologies, helps expand the "window of discourse" in matters of space resources private use. This process can cause a sudden change in the rules of the competitive game in the global space market. It is necessary to monitor this kind of "disruptive" political and legal innovations, since rapid changes in the global space economy and international law directly affect the interests of the Russian Federation.