Programme overview
We have the IAC Colloquium coming up from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October 2025. We are also holding two lunchtime events with General Counsels and the IISL Working Group on Legal Aspects of AI in Space along with a discussion of ecocide.
The annual IISL Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, 2 October, following the Finals of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. The IISL Board Meeting will be held on Monday 29 September ahead of the first Opening Session of the IISL Colloquium.
Presenters’ deadlines
If you are presenting at this year’s IAC, note that the deadline for uploading manuscripts in on 12 September 2025; the deadline for uploading presentation slides is on the session date.
IAC schedule
| Monday, 29 September | ||
| 9:30-11:00 | Opening Ceremony | |
| 11:00-15:00 | IISL Board Meeting | Room E5.4 |
| 12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
| 15:30-18:00 | E7.1: Young Scholars Session with Keynote Lecture | Room C2.3 |
| Tuesday, 30 September | ||
| 10:15-12:45 | E7.2: Threat and Use of Force in the Context of Space Activities | Room C2.3 |
| 12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch Event: General Counsel Roundtable | Room C2.3 |
| 15:00-17:30 | E7.3: Sustainability and Outer Space Law | Room C2.3 |
| Wednesday, 1 October | ||
| 10:15-12:45 | E7.4: Small Satellites, Public and Private Law Perspectives | Room C2.3 |
| 12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch Event: AI and Ecocide (space law and ecocide law) & IISL Members gathering | Room C2.3 |
| 15:00-17:30 | E7.5: Legal Impact of Scientific Investigation on the Protection of Intellectual Property | Room C2.3 |
| 15:00-16:10 | E3: Special Session – The Ethics of Space in our Connected World: How Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Legal and ethical rules impact on space operations and activities? | Room: C4.4 |
| Thursday, 2 October | ||
| 10:15-12:45 | E7.6-E3.5: 39th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable: Lunar Operations and Orbital Management: Governance in Cislunar Space | Room C2.3 |
| 13:30–14:50 | IP Session | |
| 15:00-18:00 | IISL MLMC World Finals | NSW Supreme Court (Banco Court Room) – see below |
| 19:00-23:00 | IISL Awards Dinner | Dockside Restaurant |
| Friday, 3 October | ||
| 10:15-12:45 | E7.7: Climate Change of the Earth Reflected in Space Law | Room C2.3 |
| 12:45–13:45 | IP Session |
IP Sessions
This year, there are over 30 IISL presentations in interactive presentation format. The format is growing – be heartily invited to attend these presentations too.
Info on the IAC 2025 Interactive Presentations & IP Award Ceremony is available here:
https://www.iafastro.org/news/…
IISL Lunchtime events
During this year’s IAC in Sydney, IISL will hold two special lunch time events: a General Counsel Roundtable and a presentation of featured work under IISL showcasing impact and new perspectives, including AI and ecocide under space law and ecocide law.
General Counsel Roundtable
On Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 13-14 h in Room C2.3 (E.7)
For this event, General Counsels from agencies and ministries are invited for a roundtable discussion of current issues General Counsels are dealing with.
IISL Lunchtime Event: IISL Impact and New Perspectives
On Wednesday, 1 October 2025 at 13-14 h in Room C2.3 (E.7)
Tuana Yazici, Chair of the IISL Working Group on the Legal Aspects of AI in Space, presents updates on the group’s recent international work and the evolving impact of their published report, following high-level presentations at global forums. Her remarks also explore next steps for advancing AI regulation in space through a balanced approach to innovation and responsibility.
Anna Maddrick, Legal Analyst and Diplomatic Liaison at Stop Ecocide International (SEI), introduces the concept of ecocide within the context of space law – offering an exciting new lens through which to engage with the broader ethical and legal frontiers of outer space.
Both events are open to IISL Members and IAC participants.
Light refreshments will be served.
Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition Finals
During IAC, the World Final of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (ADMETUS v CRONUS – Case Concerning the Legality of Space Activities in Conflicts) will be held in the Banco Court of the NSW Supreme Court at 15:00-18:00 h on Thursday 2 October. We hope to see many IISL members at the World Final to ‘cheer on’ the competing teams.
Find more information in the Moot Court Brochure.
Location: NSW Supreme Court (Banco Court Room), 184 Phillip Street, Sydney. We ask that people be seated by 2:45 pm. Due to proximity with the IAC venue, we are not providing transportation this year. You’re welcome to enjoy a 25 minute walk through downtown Sydney (CBD) or organise car service of your own.
As usual, we are honoured by the presence of three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice to again judge in the World Final. The three Judges will be:
Judge Bogdan-Lucian Aurescu (Romania)
Judge Dire Tladi (South Africa)
Judge Peter Tomka (Slovakia)
IISL Awards Dinner
The IISL Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, 2 October 2025 at the Dockside Restaurant. You may register at: https://iisl.space/product/dinner-iac2025/
The address of the venue is: Dockside Restaurant, Balcony Level, 2 Wheat Rd, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.
We will start with welcome drinks at 19:00 h, and the seating will be at 19:30 h.
Transport
Due to the venues being in walkable distance to each other and the layout of Sydney centre, we will not offer bus transportation service to connect our events this year.
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We hope to see many of you in Sydney!
Archive
- IISL Board of Directors Fall Meeting held
The IISL Board of Directors held its Fall Meeting on 29 September 2025 during the 2025 IAC in Sydney, just ahead of the opening of its annual Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space. The meeting was chaired by IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl and prepared by Executive Secretary PJ Blount. - Senior IISL Members elected to the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
At the IAA Awards Gala Dinner preceeding the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, IISL Executive Secretary PJ Blount received his certificate of having been elected as Corresponding Member of the IAA and IISL Member Ruth Stilwell received her certificate as Full Member (Academician). Both new Academicians will serve in - IISL Newsletter – Pre-IAC – August 2025
Contents To access the Newsletter in your browser, click below. To subscribe to our Newsletter, see below. More information See also updated information on the IAC 2025 in Sydney on our website: - IAC Registration Discount for IISL Members
We are pleased to inform all members of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) that, as members of the International Astronautical Federation, you are entitled to a discount on the registration fees for the upcoming International Astronautical Congress (IAC) #IAC25. This benefit reflects the strong relationship between IISL, IAF, and the global space community, and - IISL Newsletter – March to June 2025
Contents To access the Newsletter in your browser, click below. To subscribe to our Newsletter, see below.
