Historical Reflections & an Economic Approach to LEOs as Infrastructure

Jonathan Liebenau

doi:10.18778/8331-719-9

Historical Reflections & an Economic Approach to LEOs as Infrastructure

Jonathan Liebenau

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6536-6319 (unauthenticated)

Publication:

Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Series: Law

Pages: 33-46

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18778/8331-719-9.05

Keywords: international law, space law, Internet governance, LEO satellites, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty

Published: 15 September 2025

Categories: Law, Open Access

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This chapter explores the historical and economic trajectories of LEO satellite development, situating these technologies within broader narratives of infrastructure evolution. It considers the role of state and private investment, market dynamics, and technological innovation in shaping the current landscape. By analyzing LEO systems through the lens of economic infrastructure theory, the chapter highlights strategic lessons for policymakers and investors navigating this rapidly changing domain.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Liebenau, Jonathan. 2025. “Historical Reflections & An Economic Approach to LEOs As Infrastructure”. In Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites, edited by Joanna Kulesza and Berna Akcali Gur, 33-46. Law. Poland: Lodz University Press. https://doi.org/10.18778/8331-719-9.05.