While decades of space ventures have led to significant technological advances, space activities have also brought increasing environmental problems. This book examines the current international legal regimes in space law and environmental law in order to ascertain their applicability and efficacy in addressing environmental threats in the space sector. The research suggests mechanisms which could improve environmental protection in the sector and strengthen the environmental element in space law. These mechanisms include a variety of norm-setting strategies used in international environmental management. Special attention is drawn to the potential of environmental impact assessment in the space sector and to dispute resolution procedures. Like other areas of human activities, the space sector should accommodate both economic interests and environmental protection in line with the principle of sustainable development

Lotta Viikari, Ph.D. (2007) in International Law, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland, is researcher at the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland. She has published on space law, environmental law, and law of the sea.