Toward an equitable governance of space resources: A policy-oriented framework for sustainability and resilience

As human activities expand across Earth orbit, the Moon, and other celestial bodies, the governance of critical space resources has become a pressing issue, exposing persistent gaps in current international regulatory mechanisms. This paper advances a policy-oriented vision for equitable and resilient space governance, grounded in sustainability principles and ethical imperatives. Through the lens of key domains—ranging from spectrum allocation and orbital debris mitigation to planetary surface rights and data governance—it explores how the discourse on space resources reveals deeper challenges for multilateral coordination, institutional leadership and strategic foresight in a multipolar world. The study underscores the need for adaptive international frameworks that align with both technological advancements and shifting geopolitical conditions. It outlines a set of core principles for inclusive governance and advocates for strategic leadership and global partnerships to operationalize this vision. Drawing on the policy outlooks of key global and regional actors—including the European Union, the United Nations system, and leading space policy institutes—it calls for a globally engaged, integrative and forward-looking governance vision for outer space.