Outer space metaverse as a key Space Traffic Management enabler

The metaverse concept has recently gained prominence across various sectors, including its potential application to outer space operations. This innovative technological paradigm offers transformative possibilities for outer space, a domain largely deregulated and governed by outdated international treaties, posing peculiar challenges. Furthermore, the absence of robust data transparency and sharing frameworks poses significant barriers to realising a metaverse tailored to this context. Addressing these challenges could unlock the metaverse's potential to support the development of legal norms for Space Traffic Management, shared collision avoidance procedures, and the improved regulation of insurance, liability, and damage compensation mechanisms. Building on advancements pioneered for commercial metaverse applications. This chapter analyses the metaverse’s potential as a critical enabler in outer space governance: integrating technological innovation and fostering regulatory advancements.