ABSTRACT
The main aim of this paper “The Galactic Imperative: Sustainability in Space Law” is to address the urgent need for an international legal framework to ensure the sustainable use of outer space. Advancements in technology and increased participation from private and national actors is accelerating the exploration and utilization of outer space at a faster pace. This is increasing the potential for environmental degradation, resource depletion, and geopolitical conflicts. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 is one of the foundational treaties which primarily governs the space law. Despite being fundamental, these treaties are also unable to handle contemporary challenges like planetary protection, space debris, and the use of extraterrestrial resources. Sustainability is the balance between the environment, equity, and economy. The concept of sustainability is not only confined within the earth but also beyond it. Sustainability is equally important in the outer space. Sustainable space law must therefore encompass the responsible management of space resources, the protection of space environments from contamination, and the equitable access to space benefits for all humankind. This paper suggests that in order to achieve these multifaceted sustainability goals, the international community should adopt a comprehensive and flexible legal framework.Further, the roles of key stakeholders, including nation-states, international organizations, private enterprises, and the scientific community, in shaping and enforcing these laws are also highlighted. It is absolutely necessary to coordinate and collaborate and establish regulatory bodies that can monitor compliance and mediate disputes. Asteroid mining, mega-constellations of satellites, and lunar settlement are examples of the burgeoning space economy that are examined to find specific legal lacunas and areas where policy innovation might be pursued.