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
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
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
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.
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!
IISL opens 2024 Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space at IAC in Milan
14 October 2024. IISL opened its annual Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space today. The kickoff of Session 1 was given by IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl with an overview of recent activities of the Institute and an outlook to the future. The slides can be accessed below, and more information on this year’s IAC is accessible here. Topic description The 2024 IISL Colloquium focuses on how the latest technological developments are impacting the development of the law of outer space, and on whether space law should embrace new fields of activities, such as cyber, within its scope. The Colloquium looks at current discussions about questions related to the ethics and understanding of what is meant by treaty law terms freedom of exploration and use. It examines how space situational awareness (SSA), space surveillance and tracking (SST) can be integrated as elements within a greater framework for effective space traffic management. It serves as a forum to discuss developments of national space law as a constitutive element of the overall framework of space law enforcing and detailing the principles and general norms of space law, in particular within the field of security. It looks at whether existing legal concepts, particularly responsibility and liability for autonomous systems driven by artificial intelligence, are sufficiently regulated, and whether there is a homogenous approach to licensing at national level. It also provides insights as to how disruptive NewSpace activities can and should be accommodated by space law. Session Chairs and Rapporteur Session 1 was co-chaired by IISL Vice-President Lesley Jane Smith and Ms. Nicoletta Bini. Lukas Christopher Jung acted as rapporteur. Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote This year’s – 16th – Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote was presented by Dr Diane Howard. The inspiring keynote was entitled “The Complexity of Change: Some Legal and Policy Implications” and her presentation slides are accessible below. The paper will be made available on our Jasentuliyana page later on. Young Scholars Session During the ensuing Young Scholars Symposium, twelve young scholars presented their work and IISL Director Mahulena Hoffman, member of the Awards Committee, announced the winner of the Diederiks-Verschoor Award. The young scholars and their presented topics were: Presenter Title Ms. Jacqueline Reichhold, Ms. Katja Grünfeld New Technologies – New Responsibilities: A Story of Celestial Operations, Debris and Artificial Intelligence Mr. Quentin Gueho The legal obligation for States to take into account legal and sustainability rules in conducting military space operations Ms. Iva Ramuš Cvetkovič Legal analysis of the national »space mining laws« in light of environmental protection and sustainability Ms. Yéléna Esslinger, Dr. Gabrielle Leterre, Dr. Anna Hurova ARIAS’s Approach to Bridging the Gap: Integrating Environmental Law into Space Sustainability Discourse Ms. Laura Cummings Ross “Flagging Out” – The Rise of Non-National Satellite Spectrum Authorizations Mr. David Eagleson Regulating the Efficient Use of Low-Earth Orbit: A Coordinated Approach to the Challenge of Satellite Mega-Constellations Mr. Laszlo Mezey A legal compass for Emerging Space Nations on benefit sharing Mr. Vinicius Guedes Gonçalves de Oliveira A Brazilian Odyssey in NewSpace – Crafting Comprehensive Space Legislation for the Final Frontier Ms. Geetanjali Kamat Examining the role of liability in SSA services under international space law Mr. Thomas Graham Responsible AI in Space: Unpacking Current Industry Practices and Regulatory Trends Mr. Leonardo Cerisano, Ms. Giulia Pascuzzi Common the good, collective the responsibility: the article 48 of the ARSIWA and the protection of the Outer Space environment Mr. Howard Chang Space Race 2031: The History of the Wolf Amendment and the Future of the ISS and Tiangong Space Station Presented papers 2024 Diederiks-Verschoor Award The 2024 Diederiks-Verschoor Award was awarded to David Eagleson. IISL congratulates the winner of the Diederiks-Verschoor Award and invites all of its Members to partake in the 2024 IISL Colloquium. Outlook for the remaining week This week, IISL will hold seven Colloquium sessions and interactive presentation sessions, and two lunchtime events. Moreover, the IISL Moot Court Finals and Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday. We are looking forward to seeing you in Green Hall 3 for the Colloquium and at our Tuesday and Wednesday Lunchtime events! Photo impressions of Session 1
IISL Newsletter – IAC 2024 Edition
Contents To access the Newsletter in your browser, click below. To subscribe to our Newsletter, see below.
IISL invited to contribute to GCSP Space Security Dialogue
11 October 2024. IISL was invited by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy ( https://www.gcsp.ch/ ) to an exciting and enlightening edition of its Space Security Dialogue, which took place on 10-11 October 2024 in Geneva. IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl was introductory speaker in the session on Dual Use and Verification and gave a presentation, which can be download below.
IISL Awards Dinner registrations closed
IISL Dinner Reservations are now closed. Please address any queries to secretary@iisl.space.
Update: Address for IISL Awards Dinner at IAC
Dear Members, The correct venue and time for our Awards Dinner on Thursday, 17 October 2024, at 19:30 h is: Palazzo Giureconsulti, Palazzo Emilio Turati, Piazza Mercanti 2, 20121 Milano, Italy. We sincerely apologize for communicating a wrong address in our previous communication! Registration for the Dinner is still open here: IISL Awards Dinner Registration The event takes place with the kind support of Greenberg Traurig.