US Bans DA-ASAT Tests

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

United States committed “not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile testing, and that the United States seeks to establish this as a new international norm for responsible behaviour in space.” The announcement by US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday 18 April 2022 is the first initiative in establishing national security space norms to advance United States’ interests and preserve the security and sustainability of space. [The White House, New U.S. Commitment on Destructive Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Testing, 18 April 2022; https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/18/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-advances-national-security-norms-in-space/]

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves today, Tuesday 19 April 2022, welcomed the commitment, issuing the following statement:

“The Commerce Department welcomes the announcement by Vice President Harris not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests. Space should be a safe place to operate the thousands of satellites that provide boundless benefits to people around the globe. Previous tests conducted by the Peoples’ Republic of China in 2007 and the Russian Federation in November 2021 created significant debris hazards for all low-earth orbiting satellites.

“This new commitment announced by the Vice President helps protect U.S. interests in space, including our space-based environmental monitoring platforms. Meaningfully reducing ASAT testing and debris generation advances U.S. national security interests and protects long-term U.S. interests in space exploration, space science, and space-enabled economic development.” [US Department of Commerce, Deputy Secretary Graves Statement on Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Tests, 19 April 2022; https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2022/04/deputy-secretary-graves-statement-direct-ascent-anti-satellite-missile]

Both the White House and the Department of Commerce releases refer to ASAT tests by China and Russia without mention of those conducted by the US or India. [Michael C Mineiro, FY-1C and USA-193 ASAT Intercepts: An Assessment of Legal Obligations under Article 9 of the Outer Space Treaty, Researchgate, September 2008; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228149659_FY-1C_and_USA-193_ASAT_Intercepts_An_Assessment_of_Legal_Obligations_under_Article_9_of_the_Outer_Space_Treaty; Sa’id Mosteshar, Indian Missile Adds to Space Debris Risk, The Guardian, 29 March 2019; https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/29/indian-missile-adds-to-space-debris-risks]

It is to be noted that the commitment refers to DA-ASAT tests and not to all ASATs. ASAT weapons launched into space generally fall into one of two categories: direct-ascent or co-orbital systems. Direct ascent systems use rockets to put an interceptor on a suborbital trajectory that intersects with the target in orbit without the interceptor entering orbit itself. The ASAT weapon systems tested so far fall in this category. By contrast, co-orbital systems use a Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) to place the interceptor into orbit, after which it manoeuvres to either collide with or pass near the target. China, Russia, the US and others are actively developing their rendezvous and close-proximity systems and capabilities. [Brian Weeden, Through a Glass, Darkly: Chinese, American, and Russian Anti-satellite Testing in Space, The Space Review, 17 March 2014; https://www.thespacereview.com/article/2473/1]

Space Policy and Law Course 2022 CPD

Monday, March 28th, 2022

24 – 26 October 2022, Online.
ISPL‘s interactive annual course explores space policy and law to inform professionals in the space sector about the policy and legal principles and the latest developments affecting space activities. The topics are taught by leading experts through lectures, discussions and case-studies.

Topics covered include:

•  The space environment and space technology
•  Orbits, their characteristics and management
•  Space policy principles, regime and institutions
•  The laws governing space activities; principles and sources of space law; international conventions and treaties
•  National laws and policies
•  Laws relating to specific applications including telecommunications, broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, manned activities and the ISS
•  Spectrum management
•  Peaceful use of space; responsible use and space traffic management
•  Military activities and arms control
•  Sovereignty, property rights, commercial and private activity
•  Risk, liability and insurance
•  Space security, natural hazards and debris
•  Current and future developments

View the full programme

LECTURERS

The course will be taught by a number of leading international experts.  A full list of lecturers is given in the programme.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The Course is particularly appropriate for those working in the space sector who wish to gain or increase their knowledge of the current legal and policy framework and be informed on matters of topical interest:

•  Policy-makers in government and international bodies
•  IGO, NGO and space agency personnel
•  Military personnel
•  Lawyers and jurists
•  Commercial and consulting space sector firm members
•  Satellite manufacturing or operation team members
•  Managers and team leaders of other space operations
•  Insurers, bankers and executives who evaluate space related risk and liability
•  Academics and post-graduate students in space related law, business or technology
•  Others involved in space related activities, decision-making or research

Previous knowledge of law or policy is not required.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPD)

The course qualifies for CPD for Solicitors and for Barristers in England and Wales.

Other professionals: please contact your respective professional bodies about whether the course will qualify for CPD.

FEES

£ 1,250

No VAT is payable.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

This is an interactive online lecture and discussion-based course and is therefore limited in size. The information provided in the course will be reinforced with case studies.

There is no required reading before the course. At the conclusion of the course participants will also receive a further reading list to expand their knowledge in general or on specific topics.

At the end of the course there will be a session considering case studies to consolidate what has been taught.  The Case Studies will be handed out at the start of the course.

Slides presented by lecturers will be provided following the course.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply by sending an e-mail to the address below, with subject “SPLC 2022” and the following required information:

•  Full name
•  Preferred title
•  Employment affiliation
•  Work email address

On receiving your application we will send an invoice with details of payment, cancellation, refund and other terms.

We will confirm your place on the course on receipt of payment.

For more information contact: SPLC2022@ispl.org

Ukraine War Impact on Space

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022

The Russian attack on Ukraine was preceded by loss of Internet connectivity in Ukraine, largely provided through Viasat’s KA-Sat satellite. According to Viasat this was due to a cyber-attack being investigated by the company. The disruption of connectivity continued after the attack. 

Space activities of Russia, the United States and Europe are closely integrated. Russia is a lead partner in the International Space Station and a significant provider of rocket engines and launch services. For example, OneWeb has several contracts for Soyuz launches to establish its satellites constellation. The next Galileo launch is also to use Soyuz rockets.

Sanctions imposed against Russia by the United States, European Union and others will have a wide-ranging impact on the space activities of Russia and others. For a more detailed analysis of the effect of deteriorating relations between Russia and other space-active countries see Eric Berger of ARS Technica, The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have myriad impacts on spaceflight.

New Appointment

Saturday, January 1st, 2022

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr Christoph Beischl as the Associate Deputy Director of ISPL from 1 January 2022. He will assist the Director in the affairs of the Institute in addition to conducting research and teaching. Welcoming the appointment the Director said:

It gives me particular pleasure to be party to the development of Christoph’s career from his PhD research to his new role. I very much look forward to our continued collaboration to which Christoph brings not only his knowledge and excellent research skills, but also his high ethical standards and charm.

Christoph added:

I am deeply honoured to be given this fantastic opportunity to become even more involved in ISPL, a leading institution in the space policy and law field. I will do my utmost to live up to my new responsibilities and advance ISPL’s success story. In this regard, I similarly look very much forward to continuing my engagement with and learning from Sa’id, my outstanding mentor since I have entered the space sector, and the many other renowned experts that make up ISPL and contribute to its success.

Risks in Commercial Space

Friday, December 10th, 2021

ISPL Research Fellow, Dr Christoph Beischl, took part in the November SpaceTalk panel on the topic.  The discussion can now be viewed here.

German Space Policy: New Government

Thursday, November 25th, 2021

No significant space policy change is expected under the likely coalition to form the German government. Their Agreement with references to space does not indicate early significant change of policy.  A brief indication of such references can be seen here.

Space Policy & Law Course CPD

Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

11 – 13 October 2021, Online.
ISPL is pleased to announce the programme of the annual CPD Space Policy and Law Course for 2021.

This interactive annual course explores space policy and law to inform professionals interested in the space sector about the policy and legal principles and the latest developments affecting space activities. The topics are taught by leading experts through lectures, discussions and case studies.

 

TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:

• The space environment and space technology

• Orbits, their characteristics and management

• Space policy principles, regime and institutions

• The laws governing space activities; principles and sources of space law; international conventions and treaties

• National laws and policies

• Laws relating to specific applications including telecommunications, broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, manned activities and the ISS

• Spectrum management

• Peaceful use of space; responsible use and space traffic management

• Military activities and arms control

• Sovereignty, property rights, commercial and private activity

• Risk, liability and insurance

• Space security, natural hazards and debris

• Current and future developments

View the full programme

 

LECTURERS

The course is taught by a number of leading international experts. A full list of lecturers is given in the programme.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The Course is particularly appropriate for those working in the space sector who wish to learn about the current legal and policy framework and be informed of topical issues. Previous knowledge of law or policy is not required.

• Policy-makers in government and international bodies

•  IGO, NGO and space agency personnel like space agencies

• Military personnel such as RAF

• Lawyers and jurists

• Commercial and consulting space sector firm members

• Satellite manufacturing or operation team members

• Managers and team leaders of other space operations

• Insurers, bankers and executives who evaluate space related risk and liability

• Academics and post-graduate students in space related law, business or technology

• Others involved in space related activities, decision-making or research

 

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPD)

The course qualifies for CPD for Solicitors and for Barristers in England and Wales.

Other professionals: please contact your respective professional bodies about whether the course will qualify for CPD.

 

FEES

£ 1,250

No VAT is payable.

Undergraduates: please register for one of our other courses or lectures.

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED

This is an interactive online lecture and discussion-based course and is therefore limited in size. The informtion we provide is reinforced with case studies.

There is no required reading before the course. At the conclusion of the course participants will also receive a further reading list to expand their knowledge in general or on specific topics.

At the end of the course there will be a case-study session to consolidate the lecture material. The Case Studies are handed out at the start of the course.  Any questions not dealt with during the course can be submitted by email up to 20 October 2021.

Slides presented by lecturers are provided following the course.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply by completing an application form, with the following required information:

• Full name

• Preferred title

• Employment affiliation and position

• Work email address

When your application is received, we send an invoice with details of payment and cancellation, refund and other terms.

We will confirm your place on the course on receipt of payment.

For more information contact: SPLC2021@space-institute.org

Cybersecurity & Online Privacy

Thursday, June 24th, 2021

On 15 July 2021 ISPL held an on-line Seminar to increase awareness of remote work-related Cybersecurity threats and Online Privacy risks for businesses and academia involved in the space sector.  Details of the programme were:

National Organisational Arrangements

Friday, March 19th, 2021

ISPL is delighted to announce its Space Organisational Arrangements Project to advance co-operation among states and within the space community.  The Project aims to create a collection on the space organisational arrangements in space active countries to improve understanding of countries’ domestic space-related decision-making systems and to facilitate international space partnerships and collaborations.

Today we publish our initial findings on Italy, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.

We invite contributions from colleagues at agencies, in academia, other organisations and knowledgable persons for inclusion in the collection.

Please contact us at info@space-institute.org, with “National Arrangements” in the subject line.

ISPL Dictionary of Space Terminology

Sunday, January 24th, 2021

The London Institute of Space Policy and Law (ISPL) is delighted to announce the compilation of the “ISPL Dictionary of Space Terminology”.

The growing importance of space and its multidisciplinary nature engages policymakers, academics, space agencies, businesses, engineers and others domestically and internationally. Clear communication among them is vital to the establishment of efficient and responsible use of outer space. 

In the absence of an exhaustive, reliable reference document for space sector terms and the involved actors’ different disciplinary and cultural backgrounds, there is considerable potential for inadvertent misunderstanding or misinterpretation of terms. A comprehensive, well-researched ISPL Dictionary of Space Terminology will advance clear communication among space actors, greater international co-operation and avoidance of mission delays or failure.

The Dictionary will be an authoritative guide to current domestic and international interpretations of space terms and provide practical terminology for future use. 

The first version of the Dictionary will be in English and focus on standard space policy and law terms used in the United Kingdom, China, Germany, India, Japan, the USA, the European Space Agency and the United Nations. It will be regularly updated, adding further countries and scientific, technical and other terms employed in the space sector.

ISPL’s faculty of leading experts and its extensive international network will be engaged to advance this project. We will make the Dictionary available to a broad audience. 

The first edition is planned for completion in late 2021, but definitions of the most important terms will appear earlier.

Project lead: Dr Christoph Beischl

For enquiries please contact: Dictionary@space-institute.org