SPACE ‘TOURISM’: a Framework for Ensuring ‘safe and orderly development’ Lessons learnt from the U.S. and Aviation

<p dir="ltr">In August (2023), following its successful mission, Virgin Galactic announced the intention<br>to provide scheduled services into space. Yet, this paper sets out to present evidence to argue<br>that, from an international (UN) perspective, there has been a lack of activity to establish<br>safeguards and, to ensure a fit for purpose governance and oversight mechanism is in place<br>for this new and, growing, sector – space tourism. The research is undertaken by way of a<br>comparison law/policy analysis which factors in key historic events across both aviation and<br>space. The main focus is given to the developments and approach of the U.S.<br>The research finds that there remains a number of areas where clarity and advancement is<br>needed both nationally (U.S.) and internationally; and that, without suitable governance and<br>frameworks being established – safety is compromised, and equitability is not ensured for<br>space tourists. It is advocated that there are clear lessons to be learnt from aviation<br>developments and practices and that one solution would be a governance and oversight<br>system as has been established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).</p>