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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