Preface of the Editors.- Preface of the Editor of the Series \"Studies in Space Policy\".- Part 1: Outer space - A fascinating issue.- 1.1 Introductory remarks.- 1.2 Fascination from the beginning of mankind.- 1.3 Reasons for space activities.- 1.4 A short chronology of spaceflight.- Part 2: Outer space - A \"real\" issue.- 2.1 Dimensions of space activities.- 2.2 Space - a natural resource.- 2.3 Exploration and utilisation of space.- 2.4 Space faring: A short overview of the present situation.- 2.5 Cooperation in Space.- 2.6 Institutional Aspects .- Part 3: Outer space - A legal issue.- 3.1 Origins of space law and the role of the United Nations .- 3.2 Space law - An independent branch of the legal system.- 3.3 Comparable Regulations.- 3.4 Level of regulation / Sources of space law.- 3.5 Space Law - An analysis of its development and its future.- Part 4: \"Hot\" issues and their handling.- 4.1 The privatization and commercialisation of outer space.- 4.2 Space and security.- 4.3 Space and sustainability: Improving life on Earth.- 4.4 Space and its sustainable uses.- 4.5 Soft law.- 4.6 International aspects of technology controls.- 4.7 Data policies: A survey of principles and trends.- 4.8 International space law and developing countries.- Part 5: Outer Space - Opportunities for Austria.- 5.1 History.- 5.2 Activities and Trends .- 5.3 Changes on the horizon.- Annex: Spaceflight - Time line of key events.- Links.- Selected Books and Journals on Space Law.- Authors (short biographies).- Abbreviations.- Index.