2024
Meet the 2024 IISL Young Achiever Awardees

The Space Law Award for Young Achievers was introduced as a new category of award in early 2019 and recognises meritorious contributions or outstanding achievements relevant to the field of space law or distinctive service to the activities, events or goals of IISL by young individuals, that can serve as inspiration to the up-and-coming generation of space lawyers. This year’s Young Achiever Award went to Ruvimbo Samanga and Scarlet O’Donnell. They answered three questions for IISL, offering us the opportunity to get to know them more closely. Ruvimbo Samanga 1) Who I Am: I am Ruvimbo Samanga, a space law and policy analyst and advocate for the development of space law in Africa. My work focuses on space law, policy, and sustainable development, particularly in relation to how space technology can drive socio-economic growth across Africa. I have a background in international law, and my passion is ensuring that space becomes a tool for the benefit of all humankind, especially for developing nations. 2) How I Came to Space Law and What I Did So Far: I became interested in space law during my legal studies, when I realized the critical role space technologies can play in addressing global challenges, particularly for African nations. I was drawn to the idea of ensuring equitable access to space for developing countries. My journey began when I participated in the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, where my team won the African rounds. This experience sparked my deep interest in space law. Since then, I have worked on various space law projects, including being a legal expert for private sector, NGOs, regional and research institutions and contributing to the development of space policies in the region. I have also been involved with several global organizations, such as the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and the Milo Space Science Institute, where I advocate for space education and diversity in the space industry. 3) What I Expect from Space Law in the Future: In the future, I expect space law to play an increasingly important role in ensuring the peaceful, sustainable, and equitable use of space. As more countries and private entities become involved in space activities, the need for comprehensive and inclusive legal frameworks will grow. I hope to see the development of clearer regulations on issues like space debris, resource extraction, and space traffic management. Moreover, I envision a future where space law helps developing nations, especially in Africa, harness space technology to address issues like food security, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. I believe space law will continue to evolve as a key pillar in ensuring that the benefits of space exploration and technology are shared globally, for the benefit of all humanity. Scarlet O’Donnell 1) Who I Am: I am a space lawyer specializing in both national and international space law. My work focuses on areas such as international responsibility, the registration of objects launched into outer space, the domestic implementation of international space law, comparative space law, international liability, space traffic management, and, importantly, space sustainability. My background is in public international law, and over the past few years, I have lived in the Netherlands, Cambodia, Sweden, Austria, and Germany. I am deeply passionate about ensuring that all nations can benefit from space exploration and that space serves the interests of ‘all humankind’. 2) How I Came to Space Law and What I Did So Far: My journey into space law began during my law studies and Ph.D. research. My doctoral work at Lund University, Sweden, focused on both international and national space law, with a particular emphasis on Articles VI, VII, and VIII of the Outer Space Treaty. I have also worked as a Scientific Advisor at the German Space Agency (DLR) and served as a consultant for UNOOSA’s Space Law for New Space Actors Project. This experience has allowed me to merge academic expertise in space law with practical experience. In addition, I have been involved with the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) in various capacities, first as a webmaster, and currently as a member of the IISL Board of Directors and Chair of the IISL PRISM Committee. Last year, I had the honour to bring together a team of young scholars from the five regions of the world represented in the IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition to jointly draft and present the Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote Lecture opening the 2023 IISL Colloquium and Young Scholars Session. As our topic, we chose to revisit the foundation of IISL’s mission: the rule of law in outer space. 3) What I Expect from Space Law in the Future: Space law is built on the foundation of five UN treaties, crafted with remarkable foresight during the early space age. In the coming years, I anticipate further refinement of these foundational principles, adapting them to match the current technological landscape. This is particularly critical for ensuring the sustainability of space activities, so that future generations can continue to access and utilise outer space. The growing role of the private sector in space exploration may drive new developments in space law and policy. I look forward to seeing how these changes will influence the creation of national and international regulations. For me, the work of COPUOS and its Subcommittees is fascinating not only because it deals with matters beyond our planet, but also because it is one of the few international committees that operates by consensus. The agreements forged here can have far-reaching implications, even influencing areas of geopolitics on Earth. In the years ahead, I believe space law will expand its importance for global cooperation in space activities as well as for political and diplomatic exchanges worldwide. I hope that space activities will continue to be and increasingly be carried out “for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all [hu]mankind”.

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2024
Session 7 of the IISL Colloquium at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 18 October, 10:15 h the seventh session of the IISL Colloquium was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Regional Space Legislation. Topic description The last years are facing a growing intensity of regional space law setting: The US initiated the recommendatory Artemis Accords, the Chinese-Russian MoU presupposes a creation of an International Lunar Research Station, and the European Union who adopted a space Directive only recently is working on the enlargement of its space legislation. The panel analyses the regional space law and its implementation and discusses its interplay with the UN legal framework. Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Dr. Guoyu Wang, Beijing Institute of technology(BIT), China; and Dr. Bernhard Schmidt-Tedd, Leuphana University, Germany. Ms. Katharina Prall, BHO Legal , Germany; acted as Rapporteur for the session. Presented papers The authors and their topics presented were: Presenter Title Prof. Maria Elena De Maestri EU Space Law: international principles implemented at a supra-national level Mr. Arnold Agaba Evolutionary African Space Governance through Regional Economic Communities Ms. Sima Moradinasab The Emergence of Regional Space Legal Frameworks: The Unity of International Space Legal Order Under the Threat?! Ms. Xiaoya Lin Multilateralism and Emerging Legal Issues In space resources Activities: Law and Regulatory Oversight Ms. Irina Chernykh Cooperation of CIS Member States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space Mr. Tao Zhang A Global Regime for the Moon Development and Exploitation: Towards Promoting the Common Interests of Humanity Dr. Güneş Ünüvar Outer Space as ‘Environment’: States’ Regulatory Measures and Foreign Investment Protection Mr. Elie Badawi Comparative analysis of legal frameworks shaping space activities in the GCC countries Ms. Theodora Liameti Going global or staying local; the new dilemma in space law setting Ms. Sindhu Shankar Space Stickers: Developing Safety and Sustainability Labels for the Space Sector Prof. Frans G. Von der Dunk A Long And Winding Road – Towards An EU Space Law? Mr. Claudiu Mihai Taiatu The EU space regulatory framework for a successful space sector? Speakers and topics of Session 7 Photo impressions of Session 7

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2024
Session 6 of the IISL Colloquium / 38th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 17 October, 10:15 h the sixth session of the IISL Colloquium – also 38th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable – was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Cyberspace Security in Outer Space: Scientific, Technical and Legal Dimensions of a Dilemma. Topic description Outer space and cyberspace are realms opened to human exploration and exploitation through scientific discovery, technological innovation and increasingly, commercial application. Spacecraft operating in near-earth orbital regions or in inter-planetary expanses rely on forms of electronic communication, often referred to as “cyberspace” to carry out their missions. Best practices and usage norms to ensure safe passage through outer space have evolved as direct counterparts to the rules and norms governing use of the radio spectrum and telecommunications technologies to avoid harmful, mission-endangering radio frequency interference. The technological shift to Internet-based telecommunications infrastructures is exposing space-based systems to terrestrial cyber-disruptions that are challenging long-standing technological practices and governance regimes in outer space. On-going earthbound military hostilities employing cyber-disruptions rooted in Internet network architectural vulnerabilities are already disabling or interfering with space-based communications. This IAA-IISL Roundtable will discuss whether scientific/technological trends as well as governance institutions and rules are sufficient to ensure space activities and systems may operate in a setting of cyber-security and not cyber-disruption. Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Dr. PJ Blount, Cardiff University, United Kingdom; and Ms. Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, Oneweb, United Kingdom. Dr. Nicola Rohner-Willsch, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany; and Dr. Ivan Fino, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Italy; acted as Rapporteurs for the session. Photo impressions from Session 6 of the IISL Colloquium / 38th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable

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2024
IISL holds lunchtime events at IAC 2024

15/16 October 2024. During this year’s IAC in Milan, IISL held two informative lunchtime events at the side of its annual Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space. The events were open to IISL members as well as IAC participants. On Wednesday, 16 October 2024, IISL hosted a General Counsel Roundtable, providing the participating experts Nicoletta Bini (Italy), Christine Calvé (Canada), Ian Grosner (Brazil), Nomfuneko Majaja (South Africa), Gisela Süss (ESA), and Gabriel Swiney (United States) the opportunity to address current issues of particular relevance and to exchange with IISL members and audience. The event was moderated by IISL Officers PJ Blount and Lesley Jane Smith.Amongst the topics discussed was the legal issues raised by a situation related to space debris that fell in Canada this year as well as Canada’s work underway to modernize its legal framework for space; the new Brazilian Space Act (Law 14,946 of 2024); as well as law and legal instruments as enablers of the international relations in the space domain. On Tuesday, 15 October 2024, the IISL Working Group on AI in space presented its current state of work and engaged in an interactive discussion with the audience. The Working Group is chaired by Tuana Yazici and comprises members Anne-Sophie Martin, Steven Wood, Lisa Kucher, Roser Almenar, Laura Yvonne Zielinski, Stefan-Michael Wedenig, and Giovanni Tricco. In the next step, the Working Group aims to conclude and present its report.

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2024
Session 5 of the IISL Colloquium at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 16 October, 15:00 h the fifth session of the IISL Colloquium was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Alternative Space Rules Setting. Topic description The UN space treaties were elaborated in the 60ties and 70ties; since the Moon Agreement, no universal space law agreement was agreed upon in the UN COPUOS. However, many other rules are existing which have direct influence on space activities: In some cases, international and regional standards and other recommendatory norms are replacing binding international framework. The panel will discuss whether the consensus principle can be replaced by alternative space norms setting or and under which conditions these two bodies of rules can complement each other. Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Mr. Philippe Clerc, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France; and Prof. Christopher Newman, Northumbria University, United Kingdom. Ms. Lew Töpfer, Germany; acted as Rapporteur for the session. Presented papers The authors and their topics presented were: Presenter Title Mr. Thomas Green; Dr. Patrick Neumann Emerging Technologies: The SFAIRP test as an expressed administrate instrument for safety assurance in crewed and uncrewed space activities Dr. Fabio Tronchetti Fragmentation of international space law: is this a worrisome trend? Dr. Guoyu Wang Neutrality in Space: The Legal Dilemma for Commercial Space Entities Dr. Rebecca Connolly Space security governance on the moon and in cislunar: challenges for the existing legal framework and the pathway forward Dr. Yu Takeuchi State Responsibility Structure for Supervising Commercial Space Activities Dr. Michail Chatzipanagiotis Technical standards and space law: A complementary and complicated relationship Prof. Mark Sundahl The Artemis Accords and the Washington Compact: A Two-Pronged Approach to Enhancing the Rule of Law in Space Mr. Christopher Johnson The Deontic Logic of Space Law Applied to Lunar Scenarios Ms. Lisa Kucher; Ms. Anna Hurova The Transformation of Human Rights in the Context of Progressive Space Activities Prof. Mahulena Hofmann The Unexplored World of Space Standards Prof. Elena Carpanelli; Mr. Brendan Cohen The Upsurge in Political Commitments Relating to Outer Space: From International Law to a “Rule-Based International Space Order”? Dr. Laura Jamschon Mac Garry Crimes in Space: Can Private International Law Offer the Answers? Prof Philippe Achilleas ITU’s Contribution to Space Law: Enhancing the Synergy between Telecommunications and Space Legal Frameworks Photo impressions of Session 5

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2024
Session 4 of the IISL Colloquium at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 16 October, 10:15 h the fourth session of the IISL Colloquium was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Launching into Outer Space. Topic description The original way of launching objects into outer space – one rocket, one object- has been revolutionized already long time ago. Today’s technology can use reusable launchers, multiply the load of space objects, and develop methods such as launching from sea platforms, ships, airplanes, or space objects themselves. Also new countries are joining the family of launching States. This situation opens questions connected with the applicability of the Liability Convention, with contracts, insurance, liability, and fault. The panel deliberates the legal setup of the present and planned spaceports, and the challenges they are facing. Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Dr. Rada Popova, Isar Aerospace Technologies GmbH, Germany; and Dr. Yu Takeuchi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan. Mrs. Adriana Santana, Georgetown University Law Center, United States; acted as Rapporteur for the session. Presented papers The authors and their topics presented were: Presenter Title Mr. Dominic Wilcox A Proportionality Framework for Assessing Launch Activities Ms. VERA I. PALIALEXI Navigating the legal Seas; Revisiting the concept of “Launching State” with regard to ship-based space launches Mr. Kazushi Kobata; Ms. Riko Ishiyama Toward the clarification of the concept of “State which procures the launching” Mr. Andrea Capurso Unauthorised private space activities: issues of responsibility and liability for launching States Ms. Salomé Paradis Space Insurance Requirements: Toward Modernizing International Liability Implementations Mrs. Luciana Gonçalves The uncontrolled reentry of rocket stages and the risks for countries on the equatorial line of the globe Mr. Nicolas PILLET French Space Operation Act evolutions and challenges in front of the exciting Newspace initiatives Ms. Helena Correia Mendonça The approach to space ports and launches under Portuguese law Dr. Marcos Fernandez-Tous; Prof. Michael Dodge Nuclear powered rockets: legal issues and perspectives. Prof. Andrea Harrington Range Safety in a Lunar Context: Legal and Policy Issues Mrs. Laura Yvonne Zielinski Investment Protection Obligations of Launching States under International Law Ms. Samiksha Raviraja Establishing Pre-launch Inspection Protocols and Regulatory Boundaries for Space Activities in Pursuit of Space Peace

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2024
Session 3 of the IISL Colloquium at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 15 October, 15:00 h the third session of the IISL Colloquium was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Artificial Intelligence and Safe Space Communication. Topic description At first sight, the use of AI raises legal questions connected with the attributability and liability for space activities; the establishment of fault in the event of damage in outer space then becomes even more complex in the process. However, this is not the full picture: The panel discusses not only the challenges AI brings to the present legal framework for outer space activities, but deliberates the legal steps designed to assist space assets reduce their vulnerability. Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Dr. Fabio Tronchetti, Northumbria University, United Kingdom; and Dr. Güneş Ünüvar, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Mr. Martin Reynders, German Space Agency, Germany; acted as Rapporteur for the session. Presented papers The authors and their topics presented were: Presenter Title Mr. Jonathan Lim; Mr. AJ Link AI Ethics and Human Rights in Space Activities: Safeguarding Life and Accountability Mr. Stefan-Michael Wedenig Artificial Intelligence in Outer Space: The Responsibility of the State of the Software Developer under Article VI Outer Space Treaty Ms. Roser Almenar The protection of AI-based space systems from a data-driven governance perspective Ms. Elina Morozova Mitigating cyberthreats to space communication systems: operators, users and regulators perspectives Mr. Omkar Chaudhari Leveraging Outer Space Technology for Climate Change Mitigation: Analyzing the future of AI integration in GNSS for Climate Monitoring Mr. Kamal Ahmadov Artificial intelligence and safe space communication Ms. Maura Zara Risk prevention in outer space: the synergistic action of artificial intelligence and space law Mr. Edward Koellner Navigating the AI Frontier in Space Law and Spectrum Management: Legal Challenges and Technological Solutions Dr. Ioana Bratu Winner Takes All? Deploying Artificial Intelligence for Military Activities in Outer Space Mr. George Anthony Long Artificial Intelligence and Asset Protection in the Space Environment Dr. Annachiara Pagano AI Pioneering the Final Frontier: Navigating legal challenges in Space Exploration Mr. Thomas Graham From Europe to Europa: implications of the European AI Act for the space industry

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2024
Session 2 of the IISL Colloquium at IAC 2024 successfully held

On 15 October, 10:15 h the second session of the IISL Colloquium was held at the Milan International Convention Centre MICO. The topic of the session was entitled: Near Space: Legal Aspects of Aerospace Activities. Topic description In the last few years, technology is focusing not only on the use of outer space, but also of near space. The use of sub-orbital flights for testing purposes, the use of high-altitude platforms for communication, are only two examples of many. The panel invites authors to deliberate the challenges arising from the applicability of both air and space law. It discusses the future models for such activities, including the proposal on sub-orbital flights elaborated by the International Law Association, (ILA). Session Chairs and Rapporteur The session was co-chaired by Dr. Ranjana Kaul, Dua Associates, India; and Ms. Lauren Payne, D-Orbit SpA, United Kingdom. Ms. Lew Töpfer, Germany; acted as Rapporteur for the session. Presented papers The authors and their topics presented were: Presenter Title Prof. Christopher Newman Point-to-Point Transport and High-Altitude Platform Systems: Jurisdiction, Regulation and Liability for high-altitude transportation. Prof. Irmgard Marboe The application of “international law” to sub-orbital activities – What does it mean? Prof. George (Georgios) D. Kyriakopoulos The ratione loci applicability of the rules of the air to aerospace activities Prof. Setsuko Aoki How much of space law will be applied to non-orbital flight activities for scientific, military and commercial purposes? Ms. Audrey Allison Where does Space Begin: The ITU’s Attempt to Tackle this Elusive Question at WRC-23 Ms. Sofia Stellatou Navigating the Legal Sky: Challenges and Opportunities for High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) Ms. Sara Dalledonne; Ms. Justine Dousset Space or High altitude: What´s in a name? Mr. Luis Ismael López Salas The role of aerospace activities in formulating, negotiating, and implementing a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable (inter)national legal regime for the near space. Towards shaping an aerospace regulatory and security complex in the XXI Dr. Nayoung Youn Current international and national legal regime on suborbital flight Dr. YONGLIANG YAN Liability for Damages induced by the Use of Aerospace Technology Mr. Rafael Moro Aguilar A proposed regulation of suborbital flights and other near space activities in the 2014 Spanish draft bill on space activities Photo impressions of Session 2

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2024
IISL Board of Directors Fall Meeting held

14 October 2024. The IISL Board of Directors met on the first day of IAC, ahead of the start of the IISL Colloquium, in Milan, Italy. At its Fall Meeting, traditionally held on the first day of IAC, the IISL Board had on its agenda: updates from the IISL Membership Committee, from the IISL Election Committee, and from the Treasurer. The Directorate of Study (DoS) presented an update and IISL Board Member Mahulena Hofmann was elected Chair of the DoS. Further discussion points included future IAC planning, an update from the Moot Court Committee, and an update on the publications of the IISL proceedings. Moreover, the Working Groups on the Moon Agreement and on AI in Space presented their current state of work.

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2024
Update on Moot Finals and IISL Awards Dinner location

Dear IISL Members, Unfortunately, there has been unclarity with regard to the address of the location of our Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition Finals as well as the 2024 IISL Awards Dinner, both taking place on Thursday, 17 October 2024. The correct address is: Palazzo Emilio Turati, Via Meravigli 9/b, Milano, Italy. For questions relating to the transport from the 2024 IAC location to the venue, please consult the IISL Executive Secretary. See you at Palazzo Emilio Turati on Thursday!

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