‘Space benefits’ — towards a useful framework for international cooperation

The developing countries' demand for a legal framework for international cooperation in space activities (redistribution of the ‘Space Benefits’) has recently become the focal point of discussions in the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS. In addition, it has to be expected that a third global UN space conference (Unispace) will be convened in the near future. Therefore, the so far dominant deadlock between the developing and industrialized countries should be overcome. Both sides are called upon to jettison ideological ballast and agree on a pragmatic approach for drafting realistic rules of the road for international space cooperation.