SPACE POLICY AND LAW COURSE 2025 CPD

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025

15 – 17 October 2025, Online

ISPL is pleased to announce the programme for the Space Policy and Law Course for 2025.

This 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 course is taught by leading experts on the topics covered, which include:

•  The space environment and space technology, orbit characteristics and management
•  Space policy principles, regime and institutions
•  Laws governing space activities; principles and sources of space law; treaties
•  National laws and policies
•  Laws relating to specific applications including communications and spectrum management, remote sensing, scientific experiment, exploration and manned activities
•  Use of Artificial Intelligence in space systems
•  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 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
•  Investors, insurers, bankers, 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

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

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPD)

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

professionals should please contact their professional bodies about whether the course will

qualify for CPD.

FEES

£ 1,500

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.

Previous knowledge of policy or law is not required. There is no required reading before the

course. Before the course participants will receive a reading list that may be supplemented

after the course to expand their knowledge in general or on specific topics. Slides presented

by lecturers will be provided following the course.

HOW TO APPLY

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply by a message to Events@ispl.org providing:

 Subject: SPLC 2025

 Full name:

 Preferred title:

 Job title or occupation:

 Organisation:

 Work email address:

When your application is received, we will 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.

CONTACT

For more information contact: Events@ispl.org

Report of ISPL and UCL SD Seminar 1: Outer Space Serving Humanity

Friday, February 16th, 2018

The report of the seminar of 13 December 2017 is now available. The series will explore the legacy of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (“OST”). The principles enshrined in the Treaty  have established a climate of cooperation, internationalisation and peaceful use. This has led to the development of space assets and capabilities that are essential to our way of life, and enrich our understanding of the universe.

Topics of relevance were outlined by specialists in the relevant fields and discussed by invited delegates from all sectors of space operation and regulation, under Chatham House Rules.

The contributions at the seminar underlined the enormous potential of space to deal with world problems and to improve life on Earth. The OST has served us well, but we must ensure that space is used well and responsibly, to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Download report.

The report contains links to powerpoint and other presentations.

Please complete our Events Notification form to be sent information about future ISPL events.  You will only receive information about ISPL events, including collaborations with other bodies.  Your details will be removed at any time you request.

Seminar Series: Outer Space Serving Humanity

Saturday, November 18th, 2017

This interdisciplinary seminar series will examine the benefits of space systems and services to the world.  They are jointly organised by ISPL and UCL Space Domain, to celebrate 60 Years in Space and 50 Years of Lawful & Peaceful Use.  Topics will include food security, climate change and the environment, and disaster response.

The first seminar begins with the  Outer Space Treaty and the benefits it has brought to humanity.

Seminar I: The Outer Space Treaty & Space as an Asset

Topics include the status of the Treaty and current developments, what the future holds and the preservation of space systems.

Date and time: Wednesday 13 December 2017, 2 – 5 pm

Venue: Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DR

ISPL Seminars on space policy and law have been popular and informative events, with participation from industry, government, academia and a wide range of others interested in space activity.  This new series of seminars will continue our engagement with UCL Space Domain.  Our mission and that of the UCL Research Domains include bringing together a range of expertise to facilitate international cross-disciplinary research.  We are pleased to jointly present this series over the coming months.

Programme

Undergraduates: There will be some places to observe the seminars. Please contact Events@Space-Institute.org as soon as possible for availability.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Events@Space-Institute.org

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 Law and Policy Course (CPD) Completed May 2014

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

The 2014 Space Law and Policy Course for practitioners, civil servants, academics and space sector professionals took place in London during May 2014.  A wide range of delegates participated in the lectures, discussions and case studies, resulting in a stimulating series of meetings over three days.  Comments following the course uniformly praised the content, presentation and range of material covered.  “Very rewarding and enriching!”  “I was most interested to listen to people around me with extensive expertise as well as the speakers.”  “I very much enjoyed the course and the friendly atmosphere.  Every speaker was helpful and an expert in their domain.”  “The quality of the course and information was outstanding.”

Prospectus

The Course comprised lectures and interactive case studies. Participants had access to the IALS Law Library during the course. Those considering a post-graduate degree at ISPL were able to informally discuss their interest with the Director.

The Course provided an introduction to:

• The space environment and space technology

• Orbits, their characteristics and management, and types of spacecraft

• Spectrum management

• The law governing space activities: principles & sources of space law, including conventions and treaties, national law and policies

• Comparison between space law and other legal regimes: Antarctic, maritime and air law

• Peaceful use of space, military activities & arms control

• Sovereignty

• Property rights

• Risk, liability and insurance

• The law as relates to specific applications: telecommunications and broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, manned activities including the International Space Station, unmanned activities

• Space policy and the institutions that implement them

The Course was intended for policy-makers, legal professionals, space sector executives and engineers, officials of government and international bodies, academics and post-graduate degree candidates.

The course was designed to be accessible to those in legal, technical or business training or employment. Previous knowledge of law or policy was not required. It was particularly appropriate for those working in the space sector who wished to increase their knowledge of the current legal and policy framework, in order to take full advantage of the available opportunities and to create new ones.

The Course was intended for a variety of individuals.

• Satellite manufacturing or operation team members seeking an understanding of legal issues relating to design, manufacture or provision of space products and services

• Law, business and technology post-graduate students interested in the field

• Insurers and executives who want the tools to evaluate legal aspects of risk and liability

• Managers and team leaders of space operations who wish to better understand the legal and policy issues they encounter, and to be able to plan more proactively

• IGO and space agency team members concerned with national and international issues arising from activities in space, such as earth observation, and their regulation

• Lawyers and jurists whose practice brings them into contact with space law through legal evidence from satellites, contractual matters or international commerce


Note: Undergraduates will be able to register for our short course in space law later this year.

CPD

The course qualified for 15 hours CPD for Solicitors (SRA) and for Barristers. Other professionals: please contact your respective professional bodies about whether our courses will qualify for CPD.

Space Law and Policy Course (CPD) Open for Enrolment

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

ISPL is pleased to announce that enrolment is now open for the 2014 Space Law and Policy Course.

Prospectus

The Course will comprise lectures and interactive case studies. Participants will have access to the IALS Law Library during the course. Those considering a post-graduate degree at ISPL will also be able to informally discuss their interest with the Director.

The Course will provide an introduction to:

• The space environment and space technology

• Orbits, their characteristics and management, and types of spacecraft

• Spectrum management

• The law governing space activities: principles & sources of space law, including conventions and treaties, national law and policies

• Comparison between space law and other legal regimes: Antarctic, maritime and air law

• Peaceful use of space, military activities & arms control

• Sovereignty

• Property rights

• Risk, liability and insurance

• The law as relates to specific applications: telecommunications and broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, manned activities including the International Space Station, unmanned activities

• Space policy and the institutions that implement them



The Course will be of interest to policy-makers, legal professionals, space sector executives and engineers, officials of government and international bodies, academics and post-graduate degree candidates.

The course is designed to be accessible to those in legal, technical or business training or employment. Previous knowledge of law or policy is not required. It will be particularly appropriate for those working in the space sector who wish to increase their knowledge of the current legal and policy framework, in order to take full advantage of the available opportunities and to create new ones.

The Course will be valuable for a variety of individuals.


• Satellite manufacturing or operation team members seeking an understanding of legal issues relating to design, manufacture or provision of space products and services

• Law, business and technology post-graduate students interested in the field

• Insurers and executives who want the tools to evaluate legal aspects of risk and liability

• Managers and team leaders of space operations who wish to better understand the legal and policy issues they encounter, and to be able to plan more proactively

• IGO and space agency team members concerned with national and international issues arising from activities in space, such as earth observation, and their regulation

• Lawyers and jurists whose practice brings them into contact with space law through legal evidence from satellites, contractual matters or international commerce


Note: Undergraduates please register for our short course in space law later this year.

CPD

The course qualifies for 15 hours CPD for Solicitors (SRA) and for Barristers (to be confirmed). Other professionals: please contact your respective professional bodies about whether the course will qualify for CPD.

Space Situational Awareness Presentations

Friday, November 29th, 2013

ISPL Advisor Professor Richard Crowther spoke at a recent conference on space situational awareness, along with Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, ISPL’s Director. The conference took place on 13 and 14 November 2013.

The conference, Space Situational Awareness 2013, addressed political and technical issues, with speakers including experts from across Europe and the USA.  The program aimed to facilitate discussion and debate about the business, political and technical challenges of SSA.  It also aimed to inform about SSA in advance of the scheduled meeting of European heads of state in December to review their common security and defence position.

Sa’id addressed Legal Issues Critical to SSA.  His presentation and the written version may be viewed in our Research & Publications archive.

Richard addressed the conference on Outlining The Best Practice Initiatives Being Delivered With Space Situational Awareness. He will also participate in a panel: Given Recent Developments In The World Of Space Situational Awareness – Where Are We Now?  Exploring Current And Global SSA Capabilities And Programmes, as well as a session of round-table discussions.  Richard is Chief Engineer, UK Space Agency. 

For some background on SSA, ESA’s SSA program, and the EU proposals for a new space policy, see our earlier news item.