Key words:

definition of the outer space, delimitation of the outer space, spatialism, functionalism 

Abstract:

The aim of this article is to summarize and give an overview of different approaches (spatialist and functionalist) in the matter of the definition and delimitation of the airspace and outer space. This article looks at some of the challenges and possible ways to address this issue by elaborating on two approaches with a wide range of proposals based on a variety of criteria, including their analysis and discussion on this topic among scholars with some constructive suggestions. This article concludes that legal clarity in this issue would facilitate stability and predictability with emerging problematic situations like suborbital flights, space traffic management, space debris and the status of humans in space.