The intersection of space law and maritime security: Regulatory challenges and opportunities

This paper delves into the fascinating intersection of space law and maritime security, uncovering several new regulatory challenges and opportunities. With increasing reliance on outer space for maritime security, appropriate regulation is crucial to address legal ambiguities and conflicts. The study critically analyzes the key legal instruments governing the maritime environment and outer space, namely the Space Treaty of 1967 and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), pinpointing their overlaps and gaps. The existing frameworks fall short, and the swift advances in space-based technologies used for maritime security necessitate regulatory reform. The paper concludes with recommendations to enhance and align the existing legal frameworks to better suit the evolving interspace-maritime operations.