Editors’ preface

Space applications and services have become an essential part of the everyday life of humankind in recent years. While the second half of the 20th century saw the beginning and gradual development of space activities, mostly in the context of rivalry between the superpowers, the first decades of the third millennium have brought about a development of unprecedented intensity, mainly due to the increasing involvement of private actors. Even though it remains the case that few actors possess autonomous launch capabilities, more than ninety states, almost half of the international community of states, already have some kind of space experience. The global space economy is continuously and dynamically growing, and has proven to be extremely resilient; according to certain forecasts, its value may reach one trillion U.S. dollars within fifteen years. As outer space is becoming increasingly contested, congested and competitive, and as space systems are increasingly regarded as critical infrastructures, sensitive questions and considerations relating to defence and security are unavoidably emerging, further complicating the overall picture…