SPACE ECONOMY AND THE ARBITRATION ROLE

Abstract

Space economy faces a crescent growth, considering the possibilities of space exploration, the daily demands for satellite based technologies and the continuous development of new technologies. In this scenario, the space field attracts both state and private investments and promotes the increase use of the earth orbit. Considered the context of the legal treaties that regulates space activities and the present conjuncture of space economic exploration, it is observed an apparent normative gap, demanding interpretation to adjust the new reality to the existing legal structure. These necessary interpretations, along with the potential of collision and interference between space objects, call for the study of adequate mechanisms to solve possible conflicts relating space activities.  In light of the mentioned peculiarities - normative gap, actors involved, technology used - space controversies demands a flexible treatment that assure and preserve some autonomy to the parties in the decision process, even in those decided by a third party. Because of it, arbitration points out as an adequate mechanism to solve disputes relating space activities among other options of solution by judicial decision. The Optional Rules of the Permanent Court of Arbitration of 2011 draw the path to arbitral procedure for space relating conflicts and guide the parties, assuring viability of the method.