Tratados internacionales y los billones que están en juego en la última frontera: Jurisprudencia y economía del espacio exterior

Ruben Guevara Moncada; Oscar Maúrtua de Romaña

doi:10.38180/rpdi.v75i181.971

Authors

Ruben Guevara Moncada Centrum PUCP https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4795-2557 (unauthenticated)
Oscar Maúrtua de Romaña Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9209-1888 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38180/rpdi.v75i181.971

Keywords:

international jurisprudence, outer space economy, governance, international treaties, private sector

Abstract

This article analyzes the current state of international jurisprudence and the evolving economic landscape related to outer space activities, with projections through 2030. It examines key international treaties, and the growth of the space economy between 2003 and 2023. The information was gathered from open sources, including the Web, ChatGPT, and databases such as Scopus and the WoS. The international space law consists of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which promotes peaceful exploration, non-appropriation, and the shared benefit of outer space. However, these treaties lack binding enforcement mechanisms and rely heavily on the political will of member states for implementation. To address these gaps, national laws—such as those adopted by the United States—have increasingly filled regulatory voids, especially in areas like space mining and private satellite operations. This has led to legal fragmentation and challenges in harmonizing international and national frameworks. Significant gaps remain in the regulation of space debris, military uses of space, private property rights on celestial bodies, and equitable global access to space resources. Economically, the global space sector grew from USD 38 billion in 2003 to over USD 630 billion in 2023, with projections exceeding USD 1.8 trillion by 2030. Private investment, driven by satellite megaconstellations, in-orbit manufacturing, and space tourism, has been a key factor. The number of satellite launches rose from 60 in 2003 to nearly 3,000 in 2023. Direct employment in the space industry reached 300,000 jobs globally in 2023, with thousands more in adjacent or complementary sectors. The growing influence of the private sector raises legal and geopolitical risks, highlighting the need for stronger, adaptive multilateral governance frameworks with global legal authority.

Author Biographies

Ruben Guevara Moncada, Centrum PUCP

Es hondureño y peruano. Hizo todos sus estudios superiores en los EUA, logrando un PhD. Ha laborado en puestos de alta dirección, incluyendo el puesto de CEO, en gestión de la investigación, desarrollo e innovación en Brasil, Costa Rica, EUA, Honduras, Kenia y Peru. Actualmente es profesor principal y director general de Centrum PUCP.
Oscar Maúrtua de Romaña, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Diplomático, jurista y docente universitario. Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores (2021-2022 y 2005-2006). Director de la Academia Diplomática del Perú (2002-2003). Viceministro y Secretario General de Relaciones Exteriores, Jefe del Servicio Diplomático (2004). Estudios de postgrado en la Universidad de Oxford, Universidad John Hopkins y en el Comité Jurídico Interamericano de la OEA. Exrepresentante del Perú ante la Comisión Económica y Social para Asia y el Pacífico (ESCAP) Bangkok (1994-1999). Miembro de la Real Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislación de España.

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