International space laws and the advent of Italian space law

The evolution of the New Space Economy and the growing involvement of private actors in the international space sector have intensified the need to revise and modernise existing regulatory frameworks. On one hand, the Outer Space Treaty has always required, notably through Article VI, that national legislation complement international law to ensure effective implementation of its provisions. On the other hand, many States have either adopted highly limited space legislation in terms of scope or lacked such legislation altogether. As a result—in line with the broader liberalisation of the space sector initiated in the 1980s through the opening of remote sensing activities to private entities—this has led to the proliferation of national space laws. Although these laws vary widely in structure and content, they tend to converge on key regulatory elements: authorisation and oversight mechanisms for space activities, the delineation of legal liability for operators, the safeguarding of public and environmental interests, and the promotion of industrial innovation. Against this backdrop, Italy has introduced a comprehensive legislative initiative with Law No. 89 of 13 June 2025, published in the Official Gazette on 24 June 2025, entitled “Provisions on the Space Economy.” This legislation aims to provide an organic legal framework for the regulation of national space activities, addressing a longstanding legal gap that has thus far hindered the full realisation of Italy’s space ecosystem potential. The primary objectives of the law include: the establishment of clear authorisation procedures consistent with international obligations; the regulation of civil liability; the coordination between public authorities, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and private operators; and support for the competitive development of the national space industry. This article offers a focused analysis from the Italian perspective, highlighting the specific characteristics and challenges of the national regulatory framework currently under development. It also explores the strategic role that such a framework may play in shaping Italy’s position within the global New Space Economy. Additionally, the contribution presents a comparative overview of major international regulatory models, with a particular focus on the approaches adopted by the United States, Luxembourg, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, thereby contextualising the Italian initiative within a broader reflection on the need for a modern national space law aligned with global dynamics and capable of supporting the country’s strategic projection into outer space.