This text investigates the emerging legal and commercial frameworks governing human activity and enterprise in outer space. Edward R. Finch, an attorney with extensive experience in international space law, utilizes historical treaties and evolving corporate practices to argue that a structured regulatory environment is necessary for the sustainable development of extraterrestrial resources. The book provides a foundational analysis of how terrestrial law translates to the vacuum of space and the challenges of international jurisdiction.

Experts in international law frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of commerce and space policy. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored toward legal professionals and policy analysts.