Call for Chapters
Building the Global Space Economy: A Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship and Space Law
Edited by: Patricia G. Greene, Professor Emerita, Babson College
Candida Brush, Franklin W. Olin Professor, Babson College
Proposal Deadline: Oct. 31, 2025
Description and Motivation
Space law is barely 75 years old. It has been defined in a number of ways, including "national policies on how nations use space and protect themselves while doing so" (Agi, 2022, p. 9). Another more philosophical definition is "all law that actually, one way or another follows humans into outer space" (von der Dunk, 2020, p. 1) while von der Dunk's more utilitarian definition offers, "every legal or regulatory regime having a significant impact, even if implicitly or indirectly, on at least one type of space activity or major space application" (von der Dunk with Tronchetti, 2015, p. xxvi).
Much of the existing space law canon is based on five core treaties organized by the United Nations to regulate outer space activities and is coordinated through what became the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The earlier treaties are ratified by most countries; however, the latest one (Moon Treaty, 1979) remains largely unratified by the major space-faring countries. Since the introduction of these treaties, increased space-based activities have prompted laws/regulations by the governments of both space-faring and non-space faring countries. Primary topics have addressed issues such as ownership, registration of objects, liability, and the rescue of astronauts.
Ownership is perhaps the most ticklish. For instance, the foundational treaty, Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (1967), lays down the principle: "the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all States and shall be the province of all humankind" (Mirmina & Schenewerk, 2022, p. 8). This treaty, and the continuing consensus of law from the United Nations, is consistent in stating that outer space may not be appropriated by anyone. However, at a national level, both the United States and Lichenstein have passed their own laws which do allow certain types of ownership in space. There is a definite need for increased understanding of the legal infrastructure for entrepreneurs in this space.
Entrepreneurship begins with the identification or creation of an opportunity: presupposed as moving into a new market. What if that new market is extraterrestrial and the laws governing the market are not only emerging, but certain levels (e.g. international, bilateral, national) are also already contradictory to each other? What if the nature of the industry has evolved from government-led and funded, to large corporate involvement, to a present state of increased participation by entrepreneurs and equity funders (Peeters, 2022; Berthet, Aloumi, Cresniov, Khanal, Al-Eissaee, Ho, Lee, Narayanan, & Pascale, 2024, Weinzierl, 2018; Gonzalez, 2023)? This is the current context of the global space economy that has a growth projection of rising from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035 (McKinsey & Company, 2024). As such, an entrepreneurial approach is needed to further explore the emerging industries, products and services, governance and outcomes involved with in-orbit or space-based ventures, including and going beyond the focus on both "backbone" applications, such as satellites, launchers and broadcast services and the "reach" uses in which space technology becomes the enabler for revenue generation (World Economic Forum with McKinsey & Company, 2024). Moreover, the exploration of these new space opportunities in satellite-based telecommunications, space tourism, in-space manufacturing, mining, and off-world habitation suggests the need for new research approaches (Weinzierl, 2018).
While some of these activities may seem overly futuristic, or far-fetched, research (Gonzalez, 2023) and anecdotal evidence from current space related entrepreneurs shows that ventures are already active around these options. Larger questions must be posed based on the premise of entrepreneurship as a driver of new forms of physical infrastructure, resource ownership, health care, organizational forms and boundaries, and even societal norms for survival and co-existence in off-Earth environments.
Background and Scope
We invite chapter contributions from scholars studying the intersection of entrepreneurship and space law from a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to entrepreneurship, law, management, economics, international business, engineering, and sociology. The objective for this volume is to explore the existing knowledge in entrepreneurship and law in the global space economy while prompting the identification of emerging research questions and methodologies relevant for research, teaching, practice and policy at the juncture of these two domains. Our goal is to provide a foundational work for examining the intersection of space law and entrepreneurship. This book will be published by Edward Elgar Publishing in 2027.
Entrepreneurship is defined many ways, but for purposes of this book, we adopt the following definition: "to identify or create opportunities, acquire the resources and provide the leadership in order to create social and economic value." This definition is intended to serve as an organizing
principle for questions related to entrepreneurship as they connect to, are impacted by, and/or contribute to space law. This meta framework then serves to allow room for the discussion of a wider range of theories already existing in the field as well as the development of new theoretical approaches.
Following this plan, potential contributions might include such approaches as actualization theory, building on questions and considerations such as the types of futures desired and expectations around means of development (Ramoglou & McMullen, 2024) or instead, take a more classic Kirznerian discovery approach to opportunity.
Opportunity also relates to those who will provide the resources to build these enterprises, specifically funders, as we see the increase of both public-private partnerships and private enterprises (Melamed, A., Rao, A., de Rohan Willner, O. and Kreps, S., 2024). This consideration invites those researchers who focus on questions of capital.
And as for leadership, the human and social aspects open doors for theoretical approaches targeting such concepts as motivation, resilience, networks, etc. Many scientific and technical questions exist about the future of humanity in space. A holistic approach allows us to look at not only the start-up and growth of new ventures, but also the opportunity to "transform the world", or in this case, beyond the world, providing space for those researchers interested in social and/or sustainable innovations. Our assumption for this book is that entrepreneurs will drive, or will want to drive, that future. Space law will exist as the guardrails for this new market.
This book is intended to prompt the most urgent research questions, proposed methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), and identify useful data sets (existing and needed), while also setting up what we need to know. Potential topics include, but are certainly not limited to, such questions such as:
· What is the current content, context, systems, etc. of the global space economy? What is the role that entrepreneurs are playing?
· What is the existing law and how is it being applied? How should existing space law related to business opportunities and resources evolve and who should be involved in that process?
· How does space law impact entrepreneurial participation in the space economy?
· How can research guide policy makers at the intersection of space law and entrepreneurship?
· What kinds of relationships and policies will be appropriate for cross-government public and private enterprise cooperation?
· How will space law guide the development of organizational forms, structures and business models?
· How do we measure and assess effectiveness and performance of space activities and by what standards?
The intent of this book is to explore the intersection of two major forces: entrepreneurship as the pathway to the start and growth of new businesses that will drive the development of both the space economy and the outer space ecosystem, and space law as the legal infrastructure that will guide (support or inhibit) that development.
In their recent popular science book, "A City on Mars" (2023), Kelly and Zach Wernersmith made the observation that at least in the field of space-settlement science almost all context is generated by space-settlement advocates. Objectivity, to the degree it is possible, is needed both for the entrepreneurs and the policy makers.
Submission and Review Process
Our goal is to include 11-13 chapters of approximately 20 pages each, including all footnotes/endnotes, references and figures. All submitted chapters must be original content for this collection. In addition, each accepted author will serve as a peer reviewer for one other accepted chapter in the book with reviews meeting the necessary time line.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
All chapter proposals should be emailed to both greene@babson.edu and cbrush@babson.edu. Please include:
Cover sheet with all author affiliations and paper title
Proposal of two (2) pages max (double spaced) including:
Abstract, title included but with NO author affiliations, and a description of
o Research question
o Theoretical foundation
o Data source and methodology (where relevant)
o Implications for research, teaching, practice and policy
o Suggested big three (3) research questions for the field
Accepted Chapter Guidelines
All accepted authors must meet follow the standard Contributor Guidelines of Edward Elgar Publishing.
Important Dates
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Expressions of Interest/abstracts due to editors
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Oct. 31, 2025
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invitation to selected authors
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Dec. 1, 2025
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Submission of full draft chapters by authors
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May 30, 2026
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Peer review comments back to authors
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July 15, 2026
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Submission of revised chapters from authors (including any necessary permissions for figures, diagrams, etc.)
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Oct. 31, 2026
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Ongoing editing of chapters by editorial team
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Nov./Dec. 2026
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Submission of final manuscript to Edward Elgar Publishing
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January 2027
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Co-Editor Biographies
Dr. Patricia Greene is Professor Emerita at Babson College where she served terms as the Paul T. Babson Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies, Dean of the Undergraduate School and Provost. She was the founding National Academic Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Global Academic Director of 10,000 Women. Greene served as the 18th Director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor. She isa founding investor in the Portfolia funding platform and advises small businesses around the world.
Dr. Candida Brush holds the Franklin W. Olin Chair in Entrepreneurship at Babson College. Prof. Brush is a Senior Editor at Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals, She is ranked by Research.com as one of the top 2% of all scientists in the world with more than 220 academic publications. She is an active member of the Boston Harbor Angels investment group and has mentored and advised hundreds of entrepreneurs. Prof. Brush was formerly Vice Provost of Global Entrepreneurial Leadership and has held several visiting research appointments in Norway, Sweden and Ireland.
References
Agi, A.U. 2022. Space Law 101 for Beginners. University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Berthet, M., Aloui, G, Cresniov, A., Khanal, A., Al-Eissaee, S., Ho, D., Lee, I.,Narayanan, S. & Pascale, S. 2025. History of the space industry in Asia: A concert in three movements. Acta Astronautica, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.06.019.
Gonzalez, S. 2023. The Astropreneurial Co-creation of the New Space Economy. Space Policy. 64: 1-12
McKinsey & Company. 2024. Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth. World Economic Forum.
Melamed, A., Rao, A., de Rohan Willner, O. and Kreps, S., 2024. Going to outer space with new space: The rise and consequences of evolving public-private partnerships. Space Policy, 68, p.101626.
Mirmina, S. and Schenewerk, C., 2022. International space law and space laws of the United States. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Ramoglou, S. and McMullen, J.S., 2024. "What is an opportunity?": From theoretical mystification to everyday understanding. Academy of Management Review, 49(2), pp.273-298.
von der Dunk, F. 2020. Advanced Introduction to Space Law. Edward Elgar Publishing Inc. Northampton, MA, USA.
von der Dunk, f. with Tronchetti, F. 2015. Handbook of Space Law. Edward Elgar Publishing Inc. Northampton, MA, USA.
Weinersmith, K. and Weinersmith, Z. 2023. A City on Mars. Penguin Press.
Weinzierl, M. 2018. Space, the Final Economic Frontier. Journal of Economic Perspectives. 32:2. 173-192
THANK YOU
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Candida Brush
Franklin W. Olin Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship
Babson College
Wellesley MA
6177506509
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