Managing commercial space activities: Legal and regulatory challenges in the UAE’s space sector

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As commercial space activities continue to expand, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework is crucial for ensuring sustainable growth, fostering private sector investment, and maintaining alignment with international legal standards. This study aims to examine the managerial and regulatory aspects of the UAE Space Regulation Law No. 12 of 2019, analyzing its impact on private sector participation and the broader commercial space industry. The paper specifically evaluates the role of the UAE Space Agency in facilitating investment, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with international treaties such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1979 Moon Agreement.
The study uses a doctrinal legal research methodology to assess the legal mechanisms governing liability, space resource ownership, and private sector engagement. Findings indicate that while the UAE has developed a progressive framework for space commercialization, key regulatory gaps remain, particularly in space resource management and liability distribution. These challenges present barriers to investment and require strategic adjustments to enhance legal clarity and operational efficiency.
The study recommends a managerial approach to regulatory development, emphasizing risk mitigation strategies for private operators, stronger policy incentives for new market entrants, and enhanced international collaboration to create a globally harmonized framework for commercial space activities. Addressing these issues will strengthen the UAE’s position as a competitive player in the space industry while ensuring legal certainty for businesses and investors.

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    • Table 1. Comparative analysis of national space regulatory frameworks
    • Table 2. Legal position on space resource ownership in major space-faring nations
    • Conceptualization
      Ahmed Moustafa Aldabousi
    • Data curation
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    • Formal Analysis
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    • Methodology
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    • Project administration
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    • Writing – original draft
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