Challenges of Space Law in The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg -

Article

Open Access

by Valentyn Halunko¹, Roman Shyshka², Petro Kaminskyi³, Olena Makhmurova-Dyshliuk⁴ and Valentyn Halunko Jr⁵
¹ Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law (Ukraine, Kyiv)
² Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law (Ukraine, Kyiv)
³ Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law (Ukraine, Kyiv)
⁴ Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law (Ukraine, Kyiv)
⁵ Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law (Ukraine, Kyiv)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/15/1
Received: 27 April 2025 / Accepted: 8 June 2025 / Published: 30 August 2025

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Abstract

The article examines the innovative space legislation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and its broader implications for the Western democratic community. The 2017 Law on the Exploration and Use of Space Resources established a pioneering legal framework that formally recognized property rights for private actors, setting a precedent within Europe. Luxembourg has positioned itself as an open jurisdiction that attracts international firms, including those with non-European affiliations. Particular attention is directed toward engagement with China under the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding, which opened channels for scientific and technological collaboration. At the same time, credible concerns have been raised regarding potential dual-use applications of emerging technologies and the enforcement gap in ensuring compliance with international sanctions, as highlighted by the Spacety episode. These developments underscore the policy challenge of balancing open investment environments with strategic safeguards. The study suggests that Luxembourg’s model can generate benefits for the West, but only if reinforced by robust export-control regimes, transparent oversight mechanisms, and sustained multilateral coordination.

Keywords: democracy, dual-use technologies, international control, private actors of space activities, space law, space legislation, space technologies, strategic security, totalitarianism, peaceful use of outer space.

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Halunko, Valentyn, Roman Shyshka, Petro Kaminskyi, Olena Makhmurova-Dyshliuk, and Valentyn Halunko Jr. (2025) Challenges of Space Law in The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Advanced Space Law, Volume 15, 4-17. https://doi.org/10.29202/asl/15/1

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