24 March 2025
WP344 | Public-Private Partnerships in Outer Space: Implications for the Defence and Security Sector
Abstract
The outer space domain has experienced profound changes since the Cold War, marked by increasing participation from nations and private enterprises. The commercialisation of space has intensified competition, reducing the cost of space technologies and enabling governments to expand their space capabilities through public-private partnerships (PPPs). This paper investigates the PPP models of prominent spacefaring nations – including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, India, and China – examining their implementation in civilian and military contexts and their alignment with international legal frameworks. Despite the global adoption of space PPPs, significant variations exist in their characteristics and application. Western nations like the US and the UK, with extensive experience in PPPs, tend to have more established frameworks for public-private collaboration, while China, Japan, and India are still fine-tuning their approaches. Beyond the characteristics of PPPs, the development of domestic regulations governing space PPPs varies across countries, but overall progress remains slow, raising concerns about governance amidst the growing role of private entities. Although discussions on space safety and sustainability are progressing, they are inadequately reflected in national regulatory frameworks, highlighting the need for stronger governance mechanisms to address the challenges of the evolving space industry.
About the Author
Wichuta Teeratanabodee was a Senior Analyst at the Military Transformations Programme at RSIS, where she researched norms and governance for military technologies. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Politics and International Studies. She obtained her MSc in Strategic Studies from RSIS.
Abstract
The outer space domain has experienced profound changes since the Cold War, marked by increasing participation from nations and private enterprises. The commercialisation of space has intensified competition, reducing the cost of space technologies and enabling governments to expand their space capabilities through public-private partnerships (PPPs). This paper investigates the PPP models of prominent spacefaring nations – including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, India, and China – examining their implementation in civilian and military contexts and their alignment with international legal frameworks. Despite the global adoption of space PPPs, significant variations exist in their characteristics and application. Western nations like the US and the UK, with extensive experience in PPPs, tend to have more established frameworks for public-private collaboration, while China, Japan, and India are still fine-tuning their approaches. Beyond the characteristics of PPPs, the development of domestic regulations governing space PPPs varies across countries, but overall progress remains slow, raising concerns about governance amidst the growing role of private entities. Although discussions on space safety and sustainability are progressing, they are inadequately reflected in national regulatory frameworks, highlighting the need for stronger governance mechanisms to address the challenges of the evolving space industry.
About the Author
Wichuta Teeratanabodee was a Senior Analyst at the Military Transformations Programme at RSIS, where she researched norms and governance for military technologies. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Politics and International Studies. She obtained her MSc in Strategic Studies from RSIS.
