Structure and purpose of the regulatory framework

Initially, we describe the structure and purpose of the regulatory framework, which identifies three main objectives of regulation (protection of space, protection of persons and assets, and protection of the space system and its mission) that we address in the following sections, before proposing a summary of the regulations on dependability. 

In the space sector, national or international space agencies (such as the European Space Agency (ESA)) have a very important role as they relay international regulation with specific norms and standards. They also develop and propose international regulations or guidelines to clarify or facilitate their implementation. 

Note that the space sector is subject to a series of other regulations, such as export or access to services provided by a space system considered sensitive. However important, these regulations are not addressed further in this chapter as 

The international dimension, which almost always leads to difficulties in terms of regulation, is especially important in the space sector. Not only can the protagonists (owners, operators, users, manufacturers) be multinationals, or national entities in several countries, but the trajectories of launchers and satellites cannot confine their potential impacts to a single country. 

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