The Role of Policy-Making in the Exploration and Exploitation of Outer Space

This article aims to analyze the importance of policy making as a deciding factor in regulating the activities of States in exploration and use of outer space, determining and prioritizing budget allocation in space matters, maximizing the national potential and creating prestige in the international arena. Moreover, this paper takes under consideration the interaction between law and policy with regards to the final frontier. This task is mainly achieved through a review of some of the leading space-faring nations’ space policies and strategies. Moreover, the issue of space policy making in Iran is also analyzed by a look through the pertinent upstream documents prepared by various legislative and policy-making bodies of the country. It is proposed that the Iranian decision-makers should take the final leap from policy making to legislation in order to reap the financial and technological benefits of the outer space and provide security and assurance in furtherance of international cooperation.