The book describes the recent trends in space policy and the space sector overall. While maintaining a global scope with a European perspective, it links space policy with other policy areas, highlights major events, and provides insights on the latest data. The Yearbook includes the proceedings of ESPI's 12th Autumn Conference, which discussed the growing importance of Security in Outer Space and the stakes for civilian space programmes in the public and private sectors. Bringing together satellite operators, SMEs, European and American institutions, and think tanks, the Autumn Conference served as platform for fresh insights on security in outer space and the potential of transatlantic relations to address its challenges. The Yearbook also includes executive summaries of ESPI's work in 2017 as well as ESPI's 2017 Executive Briefs, covering topics such as suborbital spaceflight, super heavy lift launch vehicles, collaboration with China, and the delimitation of outer space.
All in all, the book gives a detailed review of space policy developments worldwide, contextualised with information about national-level space industries and activity and broader political and economic conditions. The readership is expected to include the staff of space agencies, the space industry, and the space law and policy research community.