New space activities and legislation. A general overview with a specific reference to the ongoing debate in Italy
The Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the most important instrument of international space law, which sets the essential principles governing the activities of exploration and use of Outer Space. Among those principles, Art. VI of the OST provides for the international responsibility of States for national space activities, whether such activities are carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities. This principle has paved the way for the private sector to conduct space activities, provided that authorization and continuing supervision by the “appropriate State" is ensured.