The Paradox of Space Exploration: Scientific Progress, Geopolitical Ambitions, and the Challenges for Contemporary Space Law

Throughout human history, space exploration has reflected a deep contradiction between the pursuit of knowledge and the universal development of reason, on one hand, and the realities of geopolitical rivalry, on the other. Despite claims about the peaceful nature of space activities, since the Cold War, they have been used as tools for ideological and technological dominance. In today’s multipolar world, where private sector involvement is growing, commercialization is accelerating, and alternative legal frameworks are emerging, space remains a battleground for influence and strategic advantage. Initiatives like the Artemis Accords or the Chinese-Russian lunar base projects show how legal and political tools are used to support competing visions of space law. Using an interdisciplinary approach – including history, international law, and the philosophy of space – this article examines the prospects for updating existing legal mechanisms to meet the challenges of a new era of exploring the universe. It highlights the need to rethink space law to ensure space remains a domain of cooperation, not conflict, and a possible environment for the development of a future space civilization.