As the commercial use of outer space becomes feasible, the nature of possessory rights will potentially emerge as the central focus of future space-related activities. The existing international law relating to outer space does not address in detail the nature of possessory rights in outer space and is subject to multiple interpretations. Alarmingly, the recently adopted space policies and legislations by some States have taken a definitive position regarding commercial use of natural resources in outer space.

In light of India’s increasing involvement in outer space, it circulated the Draft Space Activities Bill, 2017, to formulate a national space law. However, the nature of possessory rights in outer space is not addressed in detail in the Draft Space Activities Bill.

This study states that on account of recent developments happening elsewhere, it is extremely important for emerging powers like India to take a position on broader issues like the nature of possessory rights in outer space (which includes celestial bodies as well as resources contained therein). Not addressing the issue of possessory rights in outer space could have profound implications at both domestic as well as international levels.

随着外层空间的商业利用变得可行，拥有权的性质有可能成为未来空间相关活动的中心焦点。现有的外空国际法并未详细规定外空占有权的性质，存在多种解释。令人震惊的是，一些国家最近通过的空间政策和立法对外层空间自然资源的商业用途采取了明确的立场。

鉴于印度越来越多地参与外层空间，它分发了 2017 年空间活动法案草案，以制定国家空间法。然而，空间活动法案草案并未详细讨论外层空间所有权的性质。

该研究指出，鉴于其他地方最近发生的事态发展，印度等新兴大国在外层空间（包括天体和其中包含的资源）拥有权的性质等更广泛的问题上采取立场极为重要。不解决外层空间的占有权问题可能会在国内和国际层面产生深远的影响。