A Snapshot of Space Law at Seven Decades: Space Debris, Megaconstellations and Space Traffic

In anticipation of the upcoming sixtieth anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty in 2027, the seventieth anniversary of the first sessions of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 2028, and in light of the accelerating growth and diversity of space activities in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), this article is a snapshot of where we are at today in international space governance. This short survey focuses on LEO activities, highlighting key trends and topics. It examines how limited regulation of LEO activities affects the interpretation and application of core rights and obligations in international space law.