Space law, human rights and corporate accountability

The international legal regulation of outer space was founded on an assumption that space was (at that time) a new frontier that would enable a far broader range of activities on Earth and in space itself. This has raised important issues both as to the significance of fundamental human rights for space activities, as well as corporate accountability for conduct in outer space that may impact upon human rights. This is particularly so given the increasing involvement of the private sector in space activities. However, there has been relatively little detailed analysis to date of the interaction and intersection between the specific international legal regime of outer space and the international legal regulation of human rights. In that context, this Article undertakes two tasks. First, it establishes why the exploration and use of outer space should be increasingly considered from a human rights perspective. Second, it considers what issues arise in the context of corporate accountability for conduct in outer space affecting human rights. Ultimately, we support calls for a specific and specialised body with jurisdiction to adjudicate conduct by private actors in outer space.