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

ISPL Director Awarded CBE

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

Professor Sa’id Mosteshar’s contribution to space policy and law was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday List. He wishes to acknowledge all of those whose help and support have made this possible.  “I owe this award to many colleagues both within the Institute and the wider community, who generously shared their insight and experience over the years.  I must first mention the late Professor Bin Cheng, who encouraged and guided my early space law work.  He was a role model in so many ways, and the fact that he entrusted me with the teaching of my first space law course was a tremendous compliment. “My thanks go to past and present Trustees, members of the Faculty and colleagues at institutions such as ESA, UNOOSA, ESPI, IISL, the UK Space Agency, NASA, JAXA, UCL, Imperial College and many other academic institutions.  Our collaborations have been rewarding and productive.  My association with the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies has been immensely valuable.  Within ISPL, Dr Christoph Beischl, Jean Kay and Ray Chandler have provided excellent research and administrative support. “So many people have made my work a pleasure that it would be impossible to thank them all individually. I must mention, though, a few who have been extraordinarily supportive.  Professor Kevin Madders has been a friend and a stalwart of the Institute since its inception.  Professor Richard Crowther has generously shared the benefit of his deep scientific and policy expertise.  He also produces excellent honey. “Professor David Southwood has unfailingly shared his scientific knowledge and deep understanding of space institutions and has provided wise counsel.  His co -Trustees Lawrie Haynes and Professor Sir Martin Sweeting bring their vast sector familiarity and governance experience to guide me and the Institute. “I am humbled and immensely pleased by this award.”

Tianwen-1: China’s Objectives

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

As China launches its Mars mission Tianwen-1 we consider some of the objectives it hopes to achieve.  The analysis is based on knowledge of Chinese policies and ambitions in space.

Space Policy and Law Course 2020 and ISPL Events

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

To protect our staff, colleagues and attendees we are postponing our annual practitioners’ course, usually held in October, to a date to be determined.  We continue to be active on a number of projects, conducting research and writing on current topics.  The results of these will be posted on this website as they become available.  

ISPL will also not be holding any events or arranging meetings until the safety of all involved can be assured.  If we decide to hold any events on-line, they will be announced here.

We wish everyone safety and health and look forward to resuming normal activities as this becomes possible.