The mission of the IISL is multifaceted. It engages in collaboration with international bodies and national institutions, supports scholarly research on legal and socio-political aspects of space activities, and facilitates dialogue among leading experts through conferences, colloquia, and the Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition. Its commitment to fostering the rule of law in outer space is underscored by decades of thought leadership, including the publication of annual colloquium proceedings that chronicle the progression of legal discourse in the field.

Today, the IISL boasts a distinguished global membership of individual and institutional experts from over 40 countries. These members, elected for their significant contributions to the advancement of space law, form the foundation of the Institute’s intellectual strength. Strategic and operational guidance is further provided by permanent and ad hoc committees, such as the Standing Committee on the Status of International Agreements Relating to Activities in Outer Space. Through its enduring work, the IISL continues to play a critical role in shaping the legal order that will govern the next great phase of human endeavor,ensuring that space remains a domain of peace, cooperation, and shared benefit for all humankind.