Exploring the Legal Challenges if Future On-Orbit Servicing Missions and Proximity Operations

On-orbit servicing (OOS) and rendezvous and proximity oper ations (RPO) currently represent key elements regarding future onorbit activities.If successfully implemented, these types of missions will greatly increase the viability of and benefits from space activi ties.Several countries and companies are seeking to develop active debris removal (ADR), OOS, and RPO capabilities.However, these proposed activities raise several legal, safety, security and policy challenges.Indeed, the planned future servicing missions through a so-called space tug -including orbit correction, refueling, space 196 1 Martin and Freeland: Exploring the Legal Challenges if Future On-Orbit Servicing Missi