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Aiming to raise awareness of the factors underlying evolving regulative norms of space law and what they mean in practice, this up-to-date handbook on the legal aspects of space activities also covers technical, cultural, historical and political issues.

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Spaceflight is a rational undertaking, yet full of emotions. It is a dream of mankind and a multi-billion industry likewise. It is subject to a distinct branch of law - and moreover part of modern pop culture. In short: spaceflight is fascinating. "Outer Space in society, politics and law" is an inter-disciplinary approach to the understanding of modern space law. Technical, cultural and historical aspects lay the foundation for a sound comprehension why space law norms have been established and what they mean in practice. The reader will realize the impact space and spaceflight have on society - from Stonehenge to climate change. A new approach to presenting space law: comprehensive and illustrative.

"We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That´s a clear prescription for disaster."

Carl Sagan

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Preface of the Editors.- Preface of the Editor of the Series "Studies in Space Policy".- Part 1: Outer space - A fascinating issue.- 1.1 Introductory remarks.- 1.2 Fascination from the beginning of mankind.- 1.3 Reasons for space activities.- 1.4 A short chronology of spaceflight.- Part 2: Outer space - A "real" issue.- 2.1 Dimensions of space activities.- 2.2 Space - a natural resource.- 2.3 Exploration and utilisation of space.- 2.4 Space faring: A short overview of the present situation.- 2.5 Cooperation in Space.- 2.6 Institutional Aspects .- Part 3: Outer space - A legal issue.- 3.1 Origins of space law and the role of the United Nations .- 3.2 Space law - An independent branch of the legal system.- 3.3 Comparable Regulations.- 3.4 Level of regulation / Sources of space law.- 3.5 Space Law - An analysis of its development and its future.- Part 4: "Hot" issues and their handling.- 4.1 The privatization and commercialisation of outer space.- 4.2 Space and security.- 4.3 Space and sustainability: Improving life on Earth.- 4.4 Space and its sustainable uses.- 4.5 Soft law.- 4.6 International aspects of technology controls.- 4.7 Data policies: A survey of principles and trends.- 4.8 International space law and developing countries.- Part 5: Outer Space - Opportunities for Austria.- 5.1 History.- 5.2 Activities and Trends .- 5.3 Changes on the horizon.- Annex: Spaceflight - Time line of key events.- Links.- Selected Books and Journals on Space Law.- Authors (short biographies).- Abbreviations.- Index.

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Christian Brünner, Institute for Public Law, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

Alexander Soucek, ESA-ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

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