Legal controversy: Who will write the laws on Mars?

The universe is no longer just an endless landscape of scientific discovery and romantic visions of star conquest. It is becoming a space where big business, geopolitics and fears of new conflicts collide. Satellites are now launched not only by states but also by private companies. There is talk of resource extraction on asteroids, plans for commercial missions to the Moon and ambitions to colonise Mars. And with all this, a fundamental question arises: Who actually makes the rules in space?

In a new episode of the Legal Controversies podcast, Petr Agha talks to space law expert Jakub Handrlica about how the current legal regulation of space works – or rather doesn’t work. Who is liable for damage caused by satellites? Can corporations appropriate space minerals? And what if a private company on Mars creates its own legal order? Listen to the episode on law among the stars – and find out why space law applies to us here on Earth.