AwaitingLaunch_1397728623369

Addressing Challenges in Space
through New Multilateral Processes
Beatrice Fihn and Gabriella Irsten
Introduction
In today's interconnected world, it is more apparent than ever that some of
the main security challenges we face are global problems that cut across
borders. Much like climate change, the financial crisis and migration flows,
such problems need to be tackled as a community as no state can adequately
protect itself alone.
The past two decades have witnessed an increasingly larger presence of
activities in space, not only by the traditional space powers like the U.S.,
Russia and Europe, but also from African, Latin American and Asian states.
This significant increase of space activities means that the continued absence
of a solid regime of rules in space could potentially harm the future of our
space endeavours, no matter what country one is from.
Space is one of few global commons that border every community on earth.
It has become an increasingly important factor for the economy,
communications and development. As our dependency on space assets has
grown, it is becoming increasingly important to address the issue of safety
and security in space, and to preserve this unique environment so all can use
it responsibly.
Space is one of few
global commons that
border every
community on earth. It
has become an
increasingly important
factor for the
economy,
communications and
development. As our
dependency on
space assets has
grown, it is becoming
increasingly important
to address the issue
of safety and security
in space, and to
preserve this unique
environment so all
can use it responsibly.
Just like with climate change and international finance, space is truly one of
those issues of global concern. One major mistake by someone on the other
side of the globe has the potential to seriously affect all of us. It could harm
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