Conceptual foundations of private space activities: terminology, components, and directions

The paper formulates and argues the basic concepts and categories associated with commercial space activities, which are considered as an integral part of a national spacepower. Having examined the legislation of the leading space powers, primarily the United States and Russia, the author of the paper attempts to structure and systematize the existing theoretical and legal approaches, proposes his own ideas in order to form an integral, consistent concept of private space activities in the future. In particular, the researcher analyzes the content of the terms ‘private space company’, ‘space activity, ‘commercial space activity’, as well as its components, types and role in the system of space activities as a whole. In addition, the author explores the triad ‘military space - civil space - commercial space’, emphasizing the interdependence of its elements.