This interdisciplinary book examines the impact of the commercialisation of space and the changing outlook of the space sector. Using a framework based around theories of international political economy (IPE), the chapters take on issues relating to the politics, the economics and the ethics of commercialising space. The book aims to build a bridge between the research carried out on European Space Policy and the issues that are currently pertinent in the global discussion of future space policy. Overall, the volume aims to: * inform the reader about historical and contemporary developments in the neoliberal commercialisation of space; * assess the impact of the commercialisation of space on European space institutions, European space policy and European space culture; * raise ethical questions about the environmental and practical sustainability of the commercialisation of space; * examine the compatibility of the commercialisation of space with international, EU and national law. This book will be of much interest to students of space policy, global governance, European politics and International Relations.

This book builds a bridge between current research in space policy and contemporary European political studies by addressing developments in European space policy and its significance for European integration. It answers questions central to European studies applying them to the burgeoning field of EU space policy and takes an interdisciplinary approach, examining space policy in the light of a range of policy areas including common foreign security policy, technology policy, transport policy and internal market. Using a theoretical framework based around notions of neo-institutionalism to evaluate the evolving nature of space policy in Europe, the book provides clear insights into the development of the sector and the resulting developments made to the European political landscape. This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of Space policy, EU studies/politics, European Studies/Politics, International Relations, Political Science, History Economics and Security Studies.