Earth has been extremely crowded by the excessive launches of satellites into the space. At the beginning of space exploration, only few powers had access to the benefits of exploring space. But now smaller states also participating in making advancements in the space too. This pose challenges to the management of the satellite traffic. The satellite traffic management (STM) is defined as the set of policies and measures that make sure that the satellites work in the space properly without colliding or interfering with each other or contributing to space debris. The smaller states have limited number of resources making them dependent on other countries satellites for checking weathers and telecommunication. The STM is still in developmental stages. There is no proper legal binding and treaty for it which make smaller states more vulnerable to access satellites.
Current Satellite Traffic Landscape The satellite system is evolving in the 21st century. As of 2025, almost 9,000 satellites are orbiting around the earth. Most of them are in the low earth orbit (LEO) providing internet services to the world. The mega-constellation is also on the rise. It helps to create large networks through combining hundreds or thousands of satellites. The involvement of private sector (SpaceX Starlink Project) in space is also creating chaos in implementing STM. The European Space Agency reported that there are over 36,000 pieces of debris whose size is larger than 10 cm. And millions more in smaller fragments (less than 10 cm). Even a tiny piece of debris can result in disabling the satellites.
These increased developments allow both opportunities and challenges for the smaller states. Opportunities increased developments are resulting in low costing of satellite development which enables smaller states to develop their own satellites. And participate in the space activities like communication, weather forecasting, navigation, and disaster management. However, there are challenges for smaller states like orbital slots allocation and dependence on foreign states for space services.
Challenges for Developing States in Space Governance The challenges faced by smaller states are mostly rooted in lack of finance and unequal involvement in the global decision-making processes for space. These states usually do not have their own space situational awareness (SSA) which allows a state to keep a closer look on their objects in the space and track them. Due to this lacking, smaller states become dependent on foreign governments or private companies. This dependency will not align with the smaller states strategic or military-based interests. Moreover, these states face problems in a good allocation slot in the outer orbits (mainly in geostationary orbit) as other satellites have previously occupied the area, creating hegemon in the space. These allocations are given by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which mostly favors only those states or companies which have a well-developed space programs. Smaller states suffers to secure themselves an ideal orbital position. These states also face problems in sustaining or enforcing the debris mitigation standards.
Furthermore, due to marginalization of these states, limited representation and involvement in the international bodies like UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Even the Outer Space Treaty incorporates that space is a no place for states to claim sovereignty. But it has become a place like that. Where major powers and companies use their card of more developments and advancements to marginalize and suppress developing states.
Policy Opportunities for Smaller States For smaller states to survive in this dominated space, they need proper policy frameworks that can protect their space rights. These policies include regional and global cooperation, taking advantage of the commercial SSA services, national licenses and legislation, participating in space decision-making, and last but not the least, investing in educational initiatives.1. Regional & Global Cooperation: This is the most viable option for smaller states to utilize. Partnerships on regional and international basis will allow smaller states to harness opportunities like joint networks and satellites. For instance, European Space Agency allows states to collaborate on the SSA services. Another program, Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) allows smaller states to collaborate and utilize space benefits. The smaller states also need to show their involvement and participation in the international bodies like ITU, STM AND UNCOPUOS.2. Commercial SSA Services: This commercializing of SSA services have make easier for smaller states to leverage these opportunities to keep a track of their objects in the space. The private companies like LeoLabs and Astroscale make SSA systems that smaller states can purchase and utilize it.3. Licensing and Legislation: Licensing will require the pre-details of launching of the satellites, will set debris mitigation measures, tracking of satellites, and its adherence to the STM. Legislation can help in sustaining a strong position of state and would bound all the operators to follow the domestic laws. This would also allow registration of all the satellites under country’s jurisdiction.4. Educational Initiatives: The states should also focus on domestic expertise like incorporating studies related space in their educational systems, doing partnerships with international research centres, scholarships for space based programs, and exchange programs with space agencies.
Conclusion Outer space is no longer a place for exploration only for major states and companies but smaller states are also participating. However, there are challenges like lack of financial resources, no access to SSA system, dependence on the foreign governments or private companies for accessing space services, and exclusion in decision-making processes for space governance. These problems are required to be resolved through a proper policies and frameworks. The existing laws and treaties lack legality and proper framework that can make space governance more transparent. The smaller states need to built-up regional and global partnership to secure their place in the outer space. These partnerships and collaborations can help smaller states to grow in the space domain too.
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