Alternative approaches to international space cooperation

During their recent history, space activities have experienced sizeable growth in terms of institutional involvement, State investment, and technological effort. There is a greater international presence in outer space than ever before, which in many cases is the result of alternative and innovative methods of international cooperation. Several new forms of international relations and institutions have appeared recently, and seem to be fast-growing. This trend encourages us to take a fresh look at some of these international cooperative practices, which are valid alternatives to the classical legal instrument largely used so far, namely the 'International Agreement', defining a formal relationship and containing binding obligations. One such alternative practice is the provision of international multilateral instruments containing non-binding principles of ethics, charters or terms of reference for specific groups involved in space activities, to give visibility and shape to existing relationships.