That's One Small Sale for Man: On the Merits of American Unilateralism in the Evolution of International Space Law
Abstract:
The world—or, better said, universe—of international space law is rapidly evolving. While many of these ideas have been discussed in previous academic literature, this Note is unique in that its arguments and analysis consider the ongoing war in Ukraine and the most recent developments in spacefaring and the Artemis program. Part II begins by providing an overview of the private space resource industry and the emerging potential of extraterrestrial resource extraction. Part III shifts to a discussion of relevant international space law. Part IV explores “astropolitics” —how space emerged as a political frontier. Part V advocates the merits of American “friendly unilateralism” in shaping space law, ensuring that liberal democracies establish spacefaring principles that maximize humanity’s benefits from the cosmos.
Recommended Citation: Sam Grossman, That's One Small Sale for Man: On the Merits of American Unilateralism in the Evolution of International Space Law, 48 Fordham Int'l L.J. 923 (2025).