IISL Awards nomination season opened
Each year, IISL recognizes eminent and extraordinary contributions and services to the field of space law, and for advancing the broader objectives of the Institute through prestigious IISL annual awards. The annual awards are given under the following five categories: In particular, the last category of award entitled IISL Space Law Award for Young Achievers, introduced in 2019, aims at recognizing meritorious contributions / outstanding achievement relevant to the field of space law or distinctive service to the activities, events or goals of IISL by young individuals. The nominated individuals should be below 40 years of age as of 31 March 2024. More details on all categories of the awards can be accessed from the IISL web site <International Institute of Space Law | IISL > The Institute calls for nominations in prescribed forms for the 2024 IISL Awards in the above categories, to be sent before the deadline of 29 February 2024. Nominations must be submitted electronically to <awards@iisl.space>, by filling and e-mailing the prescribed form, and providing all the required information and documentation. Nomination forms and eligibility criteria for each category, and the procedure for nominations, can be accessed on the IISL website under “awards and competitions” menu. The list of past awardees can also be found on the same page. As the scope of the IISL Awards is global and is not limited to IISL members, all members are urged to actively participate and nominate. IISL Awards Committee Please see below for the Nomination form (docx) to be used for nominations for IISL Awards and Instructions on IISL Awards and Certificates (pdf).
Obituary: Professor José Monserrat Filho
By Sylvia Ospina and Olavo de O. Bittencourt Neto The Space Law Community is saddened to announce the passing of José Monserrat Filho, an eminent Space Law lawyer, in Rio de Janeiro on 30 December 2023. Professor Monserrat touched the lives of many students and colleagues interested in, and involved in Space Law and Policy throughout the span of many decades, and contributed to the development of Space Law and Policy in Latin America and beyond. Professor Monserrat initiated his studies during the dawn of Space Age, at the USSR Peoples’ Friendship University, in the early 1960s. He also studied at The Hague Academy of International Law, the European Centre for Space Law and at the International Space University, promoting research on strategic topics while also building an invaluable global network. For decades, Professor Monserrat was a member of Brazilian delegation to the UNCOPUOS, offering his expert contribution to the furtherance of national interests. In 2007, Professor Monserrat was elected to chair the COPUOS Legal Subcommittee Working Group on the Definition and Delimitation of Outer Space, where he enthusiastically supported multilateral debates and consensus building initiatives. Elected member of the Board of the International Institute of Space Law in 1997, where he later served as honorary member, Professor Monserrat participated in various programmes and endeavours, including the organization of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2000, held in Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, he was a member of the Space Law Committee of the International Law Association (ILA), as well as of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Professor Monserrat recorded a remarkable career at the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, holding functions related to regulatory activities and international relations. His dedication and expertise contributed to the advancement of efforts which have helped to shape the Brazilian Space Program and space-related legal framework. Professor Monserrat acted as vice-president of the Brazilian Association of Air and Space Law (SBDA), chairing the research group on Space Law, which congregates professionals, students and scholars around focused studies and initiatives. Professor Monserrat greatly contributed to the progress of Brazilian scientific journalism, as Editor of the “Jornal Ciência Hoje”, a publication of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) which promotes diverse scientific research and critical thinking. A prolific writer with acute social consciousness, Professor Monserrat assembled a remarkable body of work, composed of books on International Law, Space Law and Space Policy, as well as an extraordinary number of essays and papers, of fundamental significance in Brazil and abroad. Most importantly, Professor Monserrat fostered many outreach activities, supporting young researchers and professionals involved with outer space. Throughout the years, Professor Monserrat gained the respect and admiration of students, fellow scholars, government officials and international authorities, which have learned to admire his humanitarian principles and values, global vision, outstanding resilience and philosophical viewpoints.[1] In 2020 he received the IISL’s Lifetime Achievement Award, as a deserved recognition to a great man, and one which celebrated a long, productive and distinguished career, devoted to the advancement of Space Law. Professor Monserrat is survived by his wife, Ruth, son, José Monserrat Neto, and grandchildren. Professor José Monserrat Filho is irreplaceable. His legacy lives forever. [1] Recent publications and events celebrated Prof. Monserrat in Brazil and abroad. Prof. Ram Jakhu wrote in McGill University Monograph Series V, entitled Conflicts in Space and the Rule of Law (2017, edited by Maria Manoli and Sandy Belle Habchi), atribute to Professor Monserrat reflecting his extraordinary expertise and global reputation. In 2023, several eminent scholars contributed to the book Direito Espacial – uma coleção em homenagem ao Prof. José Monserrat Filho (edited by Márcia Alvarenga dos Santos, Tatiana Ribeiro Viana and Sueli Sampaio Custódio), reflecting on the legacy of Prof. Monserrat to space law and policy. On May 8th, 2023, the SBDA held an event celebrating the work of Prof. José Monserrat Filho, who attend it in person. Additionally, the Research Group on Space Law and Policy of the Catholic University of Santos was named after Prof. Monserrat that same year. In Spanish – Español: La comunidad de abogados especialistas en Derecho Espacial lamenta el fallecimiento del Profesor José Monserrat Filho, ocurrido en Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, el 30 de diciembre de 2023. El Profesor Monserrat tuvo mucha influencia en la vida de muchos estudiantes y colegas interesados, e involucrados en el campo de Derecho y Política Espacial, en el curso de varias décadas y contribuyo ampliamente al desarrollo del Derecho Espacial en América Latina y otras regiones del Mundo. Sus primeros estudios tuvieron lugar en la Unión Soviética, a comienzos de la era especial. Luego los complementó con estudios en la Academia Internacional de La Haya, el Centro Europeo de Derecho Espacial, y la Universidad Internacional de Derecho Espacial, contribuyendo a la investigación sobre temas estratégicos al mismo tiempo que construyo una red global de interesados en estos temas. Durante décadas, el profesor Monserrat participo como miembro de la Delegación Brasileña al Comité para el Uso Pacífico del Espacio de las Naciones Unidas (UNCOPUOS, por sus siglas en ingles), En 1997 fue elegido Miembro de a Junta Directiva del Instituto Internacional de Derecho Espacial (IISL, por sus siglas en ingles), y participo en varios programas del IISL, culminando con la organización del Congreso Internacional de Astronáutica que tuvo lugar en Rio de Janeiro en 2000, Además, participo en otras organizaciones, tal como la Asociación Internacional de Derecho, (ILA, por su sigla en inglés) y la Academia Internacional de Astronáutica (IAA, por su sigla en inglés). José Monserrat hizo valiosas contribuciones al progreso del periodismo brasileño, siendo el Editor del Jornal Ciência Hoje”, así como Editor de la publicación de la Sociedad Brasileña Para el Progreso de la Ciencia (SBPC, por sus siglas en portugués), la cual promueve investigaciones en diversos campos científicos. Por medio de sus escritos, el Profesor Monserrat se ganó el respeto y la admiración de estudiantes, colegas científicos y académicos, de las autoridades gubernamentales internacionales, debido a sus principios humanitarios, su visión global, y
Happy New Year from the IISL!
IISL wishes all of its members a wonderful 2024! Starting off the year with a remarkable flashback to the beginnings of space law, we are delighted to make available to you another IISL publication, prepared by our esteemed member and Honorary Director of IISL Stephen E. Doyle. The book “Pioneers of Space Law: Vladimir Mandl” features a republication of Vladimir Mandl’s “Das Weltraum-Recht – Ein Problem der Raumfahrt” (Space Law – A Problem of Space Travel) of 1932: the first monograph ever published on space law. The present edition features a biographical description of the life of Mandl (Chapter 1), a copy of the original 48 page monograph in German (Chapter 2), a comprehensive translation of the monograph in English (Chapter 3), and concluding remarks by the author (Chapter 4). With this, a book that has become sparse after World War II is made accessible again to all space lawyers, together with excellent and timely commentary by the author. On Stephen E. Doyle: In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s Steve studied at Boston College, the University of Massachusetts, Duke Law School, and McGill University’s Institute for Air and Space Law. For more than four decades he worked closely with government officials, aerospace industry experts, and with national and international space policy makers from every part of the world to help formulate many existing space laws and policies. His exceptional experience and vision enable him to contribute significantly to continuing development of space law and policy. We sincerely thank Stephen Doyle and the IISL Directorate of Studies chaired by Stephan Hobe for their commitment and wish all members a delightful time travel to the early days of space law and happy reading! Please find the link to download below:Stephen E. Doyle, Pioneers of Space Law: Vladimir Mandl (1899-1941), IISL Directorate of Studies 2023
IISL Newsletter – November/December 2023 – IAC wrap-up and more
IISL Newsletter - November/December 2023 featuring our latest news, activities, publications, and member news on space law.
RESULTS: 32nd Annual Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court World Finals
The 32nd Annual Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court World Finals were held on Thursday, October 5 at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan in its capitol, Baku. Presiding were three justices on the International Court of Justice: Her Excellency Judge Xue, His Excellency Judge Brant and His Excellency Judge Tomka. The students who pleaded the fictitious case of Argyliam v. Koligian, authored by George Kyriakopoulos, were winners of competitions among 73 teams across the regions of Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Competing in the preliminary and semi-final rounds were the Latin American regional winner, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; the African regional winner, the University of Calabar, in Nigeria; the Asia-Pacific regional winner, China University of Political Science and Law; the European regional winner, the University of Cologne, Germany; and the North American regional winner, the USAF Air Command and Staff College, from the United States. Pleading in the World Finals were Christina Schmitz and Verena Celina S. for the University of Cologne and Huang Rixin and Zhuo Linling for China University of Political Science. The judges declared China University of Political Science and Law as the winner and voted Christina Schmitz, of the University of Cologne, the Best Oralist. The Best Memorials award was presented to China University of Political Science and Law. The memorials judges for the competition finals were Michael Dodge, Rebecca Connolly, Laura Garry, Zuzanna Kulinska – Kępa, Christopher J. Newman, Jinyuan Su, Guoyu Wang, Deepika Jeyakodi, Annie Handmer (PhD) and Anne-Sophie MARTIN, Ph.D🪐💫. The judges of the preliminary round were Olavo Bittencourt Neto, Dr. Ulrike M. (Ulla) Bohlmann and Michelle L.D. Hanlon. The judges of the semi-final rounds were Henry Hertzfeld, Frans von der Dunk, Dr. Ranjana Kaul, Guoyu Wang, Tanja Masson-Zwaan and George Kyriakopoulos.
III Seminario Internacional de Derecho Internacional
[English below] La Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas te invita al III Seminario Internacional de Derecho Internacional, a llevarse a cabo en línea los días 6 y 7 de diciembre. La asistencia es gratuita. IISL Member of the Board of Directors Martha Mejía-Kaiser and IISL Members Irmgard Marboe y Catherine Doldirina, miembros del Instituto Internacional de Derecho Espacial, presentarán temas en el panel de derecho espacial. Te puedes registrar en el siguiente enlace: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVXbEpYeILxwsI1BueZ8rbd1Uhz4_dkRgpHepN3X4hoAEfzQ/viewform The Faculty of Law of the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas invites you to the III International Seminar on International Law, to be held online on 6 and 7 December. Attendance is free of charge. Irmgard Marboe, Catherine Doldirina and Martha Mejía-Kaiser, members of the International Institute of Space Law, will present topics in the space law panel. You can register at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVXbEpYeILxwsI1BueZ8rbd1Uhz4_dkRgpHepN3X4hoAEfzQ/viewform
ISPL to offer course on Space Warfare
The London Institute for Space Policy and Law (ISPL) is running a short course on Space Warfare at the end of this month. This Course provides an overview and general understanding of conflict in and through space. The legal, policy and other political factors concerning military and security operations in outer space and the role of space assets in warfare will be considered. Placement of weapons in space and the deployment of space capabilities in terrestrial conflicts will be examined, including considerations affecting deployment of dual-use systems. The course will be held on 29 March 2023. The announcement, programme, and application details are available at https://www.space-institute.org/space-warfare-course/.
Annual Standing Committee Reports
At the meeting of the IISL Board of Directors held at Brighton, United Kingdom, in October 1987, the Board decided to create a standing committee of the Institute to prepare and submit at each annual Colloquium a report on the status of agreements relating to activities in outer space.Institute members who can contribute substantively to the work of the committee are invited to serve on it. Membership is open to any interested IISL member. The committee members help collect, review and verify data concerning selected space agreements. Agreements of general global applicability or regional applicability are selected for reporting. Bilateral agreements are not included in the report. In general, the agreements included in these reports, and their status, are believed to be valid as of the dates indicated in the respective reports. 2020-2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2021 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2020-2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2021 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Eleventh Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote Lecture on Space Law 2019
Each year since 2009, at the International Astronautical Congress, the Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote Lecture on Space Law is presented by a leading expert on space law. The 2019 Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote Lecture on Space Law was presented at the IISL colloquium during the IAC in Washington D.C., United States. It was given by Setsuko Aoki and entitled International Cooperation Mechanisms in Outer Space Activities for the Next Decade. The keynote lecture is published in the IISL Proceedings 2019. The text of the keynote lecture can be accessed here.
In memoriam: Edward R. Finch Jr. (1919-2011)
Edward R. Finch, Jr., a longtime member of IISL, passed away on 4 September 2011 at the age of 92. Ambassador Finch was a member of the U.S. delegation to UNISPACE in 1982 and 1999 and a Permanent NGO Representative to COPUOS. He was on the Board of Directors of the National Space Society and he was a member of the Space Law Committee of the American Branch of ILA. One of his books was ASTRO BUSINESS; A GUIDE TO COMMERCE AND LAW OF SPACE. He was proud of his military service in World War II. He received many awards including the U.S. Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Order of the British Empire, and the Legion of Honor of France. He was gregarious, enthusiastic and a great teller of stories at his dinner table where he often entertained his family and his many friends.