IISL Colloquium
IISL intensifies and expands partnerships at IAC 2024
Next to our IISL Colloquium, the IAC 2024 and its exhibition offered the possibility to intensify and extend international partnerships of our Institute. New contacts into all regions of the world were made, that are going to create new and exciting shared activities with our partners. Below, see some of the impressions of perspectives of our week at IAC 2024: Azercosmos – Space Academy On 15 October, IISL’s Kai-Uwe Schrogl (President), PJ Blount (Executive Secretary), Mahulena Hofmann (Board member), and Scarlet O’Donnell (Board member) met with representatives Narkhanim Orujova and Imran Mukhtarov from Azercosmos as well as Azercosmos’ Space Academy, in order to discuss potential cooperation of the two entities in the future. Ms. Narkhanim Orujova is IISL Member and very effectively supported IISL with the organisation of the Institute’s activities during the IAC in Baku – many thanks again to her on this occasion. Collaboration would especially focus on knowledge transfer and cooperation with regard to jointly organised events. IISL Board member Mahulena Hofmann is the newly appointed Chair of the IISL Directorate of Studies (DoS) and has been appointed as point of contact for Azercosmos on the topic. SIA-India IISL met with SIA-India — An Association for the Space Industry, to discuss potential future collaboration between our two entities. With Anil Prakash and Rajeev Gambhir representing SIA, at the focus of the deliberations were issues such as space sustainability as well as space governance of emerging space faring countries. The meeting was enabled through incoming IISL Vice-President, Ranjana Kaul, from India. China IISL met with delegates from China at IAC, with whom there exists a long-standing relationship based on IISL’s annual participation in the China Space Conference. Every year, the two organisations collaborate to hold a Space Law Symposium. At the IAC in Milan, the collaboration was reiterated and the next Space Law Symposium in 2025 was confirmed. Türkiye – collaboration for IAC 2026 in Antalya IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl met with Member of the Turkish Parliament, Ms. Zeynep Yildiz, who shares a strong interest in space law, in the context of the IAF meeting of Ministers and Members of Parliament. It was agreed that with a view to the IAC 2026 in Antalya, IISL and the Turkish IAC hosts will hold a Workshop on Space Law in summer 2025 in the run-up to the Congress. WiA – Women in Aerospace On 14 October 2024, IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl took part in the Meet&Greet organised by WiA Europe — a meeting and networking opportunity for young talent in the industry. The meeting was met by a lot of interest and new connections could be formed. European Space Agency – ESOC The European Space Agency’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), serving as the main mission control centre for the European Space Agency, took note of IISL’s lunchtime event of Tuesday, 15 October 2024, where the IISL Working Group on AI in Space presented its preliminary findings and entered into dialogue with the audience, to collect feedback for drafting the final report on its study. ESOC expressed interest in holding a special event for ESA employees, where the Working Group would highlight its most important findings. IAF General Assembly During the International Astronautical Federation’s (IAF) General Assembly, IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl presented the Institute’s past and current activities, as well as an outlook to the future. Moreover, ESA Astronaut Matthias Maurer’s video on the importance of space law was shared with the attendants of the IAF General Assembly. The message of the video, which focuses on space sustainability, were well aligned with the theme of the conference: “Responsible space for sustainability”. Communications – SpaceWatch.Global On Friday, 18 October 2024, IISL President Kai-Uwe Schrogl participated in Space Watch Global’s ‘Space Café’ with Torsten Kriening. The episode was broadcasted live from the IAC in Milan. Schrogl discussed the vibrant atmosphere at IAC 2024 in Milan, highlighting the growing interest in space activities among governments, commercial entities, and the younger generation. He emphasized the importance of democratizing space and the need for effective legal frameworks. Schrogl detailed the IISL’s flagship Moot Court Competition, which saw the team from Singapore win, and underscored the relevance of space law in addressing issues like light pollution and AI regulation. He also noted the challenges of harmonizing national space laws and the urgency of space traffic management. The episode can be watched on SpaceWatch.Global’s site here.
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
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
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
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 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
Information on IISL activities at IAC 2024 in Milan
Dear Members, We have published information relevant to our activities at the IAC 2024 taking place in Milan, Italy from 14 to 18 October 2024. The page is regularly updated, so you are welcome to revisit it ahead of and during the Congress. See you in Milan!
IISL Happy Hour #17 held
IISL Happy Hours are events coordinated and co-hosted by IISL Members Setsuko Aoki and Quentin Verspieren. This is a monthly 60-minute program starting with a presentation by an IISL member about a recent project or study, followed by a free discussion session during which all participating IISL members are invited to chat and report on their relevant activities. For the 17th IISL Happy Hour, senior IISL officials introduced the main components of the IISL programme at the upcoming 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan. They presented the sessions of the Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, the two lunchtime dialogue events – a General Counsel Roundtable and one on the IISL Working Group on AI, and updates on the programme of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition Finals and the 2024 IISL Awards Dinner. The presentation was followed by an active Q&A session. The video recording of the 17th IISL Happy Hour is available below.