The proliferation of human activities in outer space has fostered technological progress while creating a serious challenge: space debris. This paper examines the legal complexities of active debris removal (ADR) as a means to reduce collision risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of space operations. ADR is now technologically feasible, but its implementation faces legal, technical, and economic hurdles. Current international law, notably the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention, lacks explicit provisions on ADR responsibilities and liabilities, complicating cooperation and cost sharing. The absence of a universally accepted definition of space debris further hinders regulatory clarity and ownership issues. To address these challenges, the paper evaluates potential governance futures and proposes establishing a new international legal regime under the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Modeled on institutions including the International Civil Aviation Organization, such a regime would clarify liability, set standards, and strengthen cooperation for sustainable space use.

The emergence of global internet access from the low Earth orbit (LEO) comes with cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Under international space law regimes, the concept of cybersecurity in outer space remains ambiguous. Furthermore, cyberattacks affecting the era’s thoroughly segregated computer space systems were unimagined. Cyber borders are not the same as physical borders. Cyberspace does not admit the demarcation of territorial sovereignty, as it is not based on physical location, and assigning territorial sovereignty to cyberspace is time-consuming. This research proposes the concept of a multi-stakeholder international legal regime for space cybersecurity, as establishing cybersecurity standards and risk management mechanisms necessitates technical measures and a regulatory framework. International cooperation is the only way to provide a fully coordinated approach to cyberspace protection which is consistent with the fundamental premise of international cooperation and collaboration in space.

The emergence of the construction and operation of a small satellite constellation in Low Earth orbit (LEO) to beam high-speed Internet to all parts of the world is a relatively new development in the use of outer space. States, international intergovernmental organizations, and private companies plan to deploy small satellites into Earth’s orbit because this effort is inexpensive and expandable, especially in the area of commercial activities. This movement will provide an essential tool to achieve sustainable development goals, especially for developing countries. However, it could also bring legal challenges because there is now a lack of binding regulations regarding the increasing risks of orbital collision, the proliferation of space debris, the satellite network service, and the rational, efficient, and economical use of a radio frequency allocation and the harmful interference caused by small satellite constellations in LEO. These issues could have an impact on the long-term sustainability of space activities.