The need for a space traffic management and its legal challenges

The increase of number and intensity of space activities pose the need for determining rules on Space Traffic Management (STM). There are proposals aimed at establishing universal "rules of the road," and even for creating a system of STM, to protect the long-term sustainability of space activities. This paper is aimed to shade light, on the one hand, on the major legal challenges posed by the traffic management regulations. The comparable models for a STM have to be analysed in the context of the existing regulatory framework and legal issues posed by various aspect, inter a/ia, the SSA data sharing, space debris mitigation management and traffic management regulations. On the other hand, it should be paved the way ahead for the implementation of such a new regulatory framework whether by an international or national dimension. Coordinated international standards would be more efficient and less confusing than different sets of norms established by individual national agencies. In this sense, establishing a global STM system requires an intensive effort of international cooperation for a multilateral and comprehensive approach that meets the needs of the growing global space economy in terms of safety, predictability and sustainability.