Legal Considerations for Data Processing From Outer Space Through Remote Sensing

Remote sensing has revolutionized the way humanity observes and interacts with the Earth. By collecting data from satellites and other platforms in outer space, remote sensing enables the monitoring of environmental changes, resource management, disaster response, and national security. The proliferation of remote sensing technologies has raised questions about state sovereignty and the right to the data collected from outer space about a sensed state. This article explores the evolution of remote sensing, including with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the international legal frameworks that govern its use, and licensing regulations in the United States for private operation of remote sensing technology in outer space and data sharing.