The UK Space Sector and Brexit

Monday, March 27th, 2017

ISPL and UCL held a joint workshop on the impact on the UK space sector of UK withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit). On Thursday 23 March 2017 participants from government, manufacturing, industry, service providers and system operators, legal, market and consulting professionals, government advisers and academics met to discuss many critical issues.

The workshop was informative and challenging to some perceptions about the impact of withdrawal in general, and especially in respect of this tremendously important and specialised sector.

ISPL is most grateful for UCL’s support and partnership for this event. It would not have been possible but for the excellent contributions from the speakers, and the contributions made by everyone present.

A report was prepared by ISPL and Rapporteurs from University College London.

Programme

Space Policy Day for University Students

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017

Students with an interest in the space sector are invited to register for an interactive and informative event at Cranfield University on Friday 31 March.  Speaking will be Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, Director of ISPL, Jean-Jacques Tortora, Director of ESPI, and representatives from the UK space sector.  The event is supported by Astronautics and Space Engineering (ASE) and UKSEDS.  There is a very modest fee to attend.  Register here.

“The CranSEDS Space Policy Day invites you to join a discussion to assess the progression of space-related law since the dawn of the Space Age and its impacts on countries and companies. Speakers from the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) and London Institute of Space Policy and Law (ISPL) will provide an insight into the background and current state of space policy, and industry speakers will describe the impacts on their respective companies. 

Following these sessions, attendees are encouraged to participate in workshops, in which current space policy issues raised in the talks will be discussed, and potential measures and solutions brainstormed. These will then be presented to the whole group. 

Regular refreshments and a buffet lunch will be provided.

We hope that the CranSEDS Space Policy Day will promote a deeper understanding of the various technical, legal and ethical issues involved in space missions.”

REGISTRATION

CranSEDS is part of the UKSEDS network of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.  They are an active group and any student interested in the space sector will find their events valuable.  Their annual conference is this weekend, 4 & 5 March 2017 at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus.  ISPL has been pleased to participate at previous conferences and to promote their work.

ESPI is a valuable source for scholars, students, professionals and scientists, providing information about space policy, organising events, publishing, and advancing space as a vital policy area.  Peter Hulsroj, ESPI’s former Director, is a member of ISPL’s faculty.