Description
Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the advancement of space technology has been exponential. Innovation in the outer space sector was the domain of government-funded space agencies during the late twentieth century, however, in the twenty-first century, government agencies have diversified their approach to outer space. The private sector has emerged as a key player, driving the increase in commercial space activities. Private actors are undertaking innovation activities in space exploration, both independently under contract from government agencies. These contracts include transportation services to the International Space Station, construction of space station modules, and all aspects of technology development for the Artemis missions and the Lunar Gateway programme. This shift poses both opportunities and challenges for international cooperation, governance and security which are crucial for advancing innovation in space exploration, especially in transnational public-private partnerships.
Interdisciplinary in nature, this paper will employ qualitative analysis to analyse case studies. The case studies are transnational public-private partnerships with a significant innovation element that are currently operating or have previously operated as part of a space exploration megaproject. This paper will explore the security and governance challenges within the outer space environment, focussing on those challenges which affect innovation activities undertaken as part of transnational public-private partnerships. It will also investigate the governance and regulation of those public-private partnerships and the impact on their innovation activities. This paper will contribute to the growing discourse on public-private partnerships in the outer space sector.
