The New Zealand Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities Act 2017 and the Statutory Review: A Dance Between International and Domestic Law

Since the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik 1, the first human-made space object, in October 1957, space-related technologies have continued to develop at a remarkable pace. The space environment is now very different from what it was in 1957 when the space treaties were being negotiated. Space has become a multi-billion-dollar global industry and is of huge strategic importance. Satellites enable the provision of critical everyday services and infrastructure, including banking, transportation, electricity, telecommunications, navigation and defence, to name but a few. This chapter examines illustrates some of the legal challenges that arise with modern space technologies for both international and domestic law by reference to New Zealand’s Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 and its recent review.