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.

Tribute to Bin Cheng

Saturday, February 8th, 2020

The Journal of Space Law is dedicating a special issue reflecting on the legacy of Professor Bin Cheng.  The publication honours his tremendous contributions to the field. The Director of ISPL, Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, will guest edit the edition.  Leading space lawyers and policy experts will write about the future course of space policy and law.  They will reflect on his views and his many publications, through the lens of their own considerable expertise.

Professor Bin Cheng was a pioneer in air and space law.  He was also an inspiration to generations of lawyers, many of whom have become leading experts in the field.  He addressed every aspect of international space law, including issues of nationality, jurisdiction, juris action and juris faction, and posited the idea of the instant creation of customary international law. His equally important contributions to air law highlight his vision of the importance of both branches of international law.

Professor Mosteshar feels honoured to be involved in this project.  He writes, “Professor Cheng was a formative influence in my thinking, and became both an academic and a personal friend. He was one of the most thoughtful and scholarly people in public international law. This edition of the JSL will, I hope, be a suitable tribute to the work of our founding Honorary President. Those who knew him were tremendously enriched by his deep knowledge, generosity and unwavering courtesy.”

In honour of Professor Bin Cheng, the Journal is also sponsoring a writing competition for young lawyers.  The prize is a lifetime subscription to the JSL, and publication of the winning article in the tribute edition. Further details of the issue and the competition are on the JSL website.

Please also visit our contact page if you would like to receive information about ISPL’s upcoming events, including courses, seminars and workshops.

Professor Bin Cheng (1921-2019)

Tuesday, November 12th, 2019

It is with great sadness that ISPL reports the death of its great friend and Honorary President, Professor Bin Cheng, the most long-standing and distinguished academic in public international law.  He died of natural causes in London on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at the age of ninety-eight.

Bin was a world authority on international air and space law. His many publications in public international law and its application to space activities are some of the most important writings on the subject and will be a benchmark source of reference for many years to come.  His advocacy of the civilising benefits of international law, his teaching at UCL, as Professor and Dean of the Law School, and universities around the world inspired his own and succeeding generations of academics and lawyers.  In retirement Bin continued his invaluable contribution to the field as Emeritus Professor, and speaker at international fora.

His numerous honours and his post-retirement contributions to the development of international law evidence his valued pioneering, insightful thinking in a lifetime devoted to creating a new branch of international law.

Bin’s many accomplishments are matched only by his modesty and willingness to assist and encourage young lawyers and others.  He was unfailingly modest, charming, courteous and gentle in all his dealings and was also great fun to be with. 

It has been a great privilege for us to know Bin for about 40 years.  One always felt rewarded when, attempting an observation on a point of law, he replied with a trademark wink of his eye, “That’s right because, you know,…”  at which point, with disarming charm and wit, his fuller understanding of the point came through.

In 2008 he honoured ISPL by accepting the honorary presidency of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law.  Bin’s invaluable advice and encouragement have been central to the progress of the Institute.

Bin is survived by his wife Katharine and their family, to whom we extend our condolences.  We shall all miss him greatly.

ISPL on CGTN

Monday, November 11th, 2019

ISPL Research Fellow, Dr Christoph Beischl took part in China Global Television Network’s programme The Agenda, discussing the regulation of the space commercial market and international co-operation in space, on Sunday 10 November 2019.  Other guests included Prof Anu Ojha, Sarah Cruddas and Mitch Hunter-Scallion.

Space Policy and Law Course 2019 CPD

Thursday, June 13th, 2019

14 – 16 October 2019, London.
Through lectures, discussions and interactive case-studies we explore Space Policy & Law.

• The space environment and space technology
• Orbits, their characteristics and management
• Spectrum management
• Space policy principles, regime and institutions
• The law governing space activities: principles & sources of space law, including conventions and treaties, national laws and policies
• Law relating to specific applications: telecommunications and broadcasting, remote sensing, scientific experiment and exploration, the ISS and other manned activities
• Peaceful use of space, military activities & arms control
• Sovereignty
• Space security, debris
• Property rights, commercial activity
• Risk, liability and insurance
• Current and future developments

View the full programme.

LECTURERS

The course will be taught by ISPL Faculty, Advisors and other experts.

• Dr Sam Adlen –  Chief Strategy Officer, Satellite Applications Catapult
• James Cemmell – Vice President, Government Engagement, Inmarsat; ISPL Faculty
• Professor Richard Crowther    –    Chief Engineer, UK Space Agency; ISPL Adviser
• Professor Jean-Jacques Dordain    –    CNES; former Director-General, ESA; ISPL Adviser
• Wing Commander (Ret’d) Gerry Doyle – Senior Prog. Manager, Raytheon; ISPL Faculty
• Nick Hughes    –    Partner, HFW; ISPL Faculty
• Professor Sa’id Mosteshar    –    Barrister; ISPL Director
• Air Commodore (Ret’d) Mark Roberts    –    Defence & Security, RHEA Group; ISPL Faculty
• Neil Stevens    –    Space Insurance Expert; ISPL Faculty
• Elizabeth Quintana    –    Satellite Spectrum Management, OFCOM

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Previous knowledge of law or policy is not required.

The Course is 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.

• Policy-makers in government and international bodies
• IGO and space agency personnel
• Lawyers and jurists in contact with space law through legal evidence from satellites, contractual matters or international commerce
• Satellite manufacturing or operation team members  in design, manufacture or provision of space products and services
• 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
• Insurers, bankers and executives who need to evaluate legal aspects of risk and liability
• Academics and post-graduate students in law, business or technology
• Others involved in space related decision-making

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.

Participants may access the IALS Law Library during the week of the course. Those considering a post-graduate degree will be able to informally discuss their interest with the Director.

FEES

£ 975–  Full-time employees of EU governments

£ 975  –  Academics employed full-time by accredited universities

         (Full-time post-graduates actively engaged in research in the field may also qualify                   for a discount. Before booking, please contact us for information.)

£ 1,275 – All others

No VAT is payable.

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

WHAT IS INCLUDED

This is an interactive lecture and discussion-based course, and is therefore limited in size.  There will be case studies to reinforce the information provided in the course.

There is no required reading before the course.  We send an optional reading list for those who wish to prepare prior to the course, or to follow-up afterwards.

Lecturers’ slides will be available following the course, along with a record of the question and answer discussion sessions and case studies.

Refreshments will be provided during morning and afternoon breaks, as well as a light lunch.  Café Lex is also open on-site from 0830 – 1830.

Participants may request access to the IALS Law Library during the week of the course.

WiFi is available throughout the course.

We do not provide or arrange accommodation, but our events manager will advise you if you have questions.  We will provide a letter for visa purposes upon request, confirming your place on the course.

HOW TO BOOK

The course is very limited in size.  Bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Book by email, with the following required information:

• Full name
• Preferred title
• Employment affiliation
• Work email address
• Whether you are requesting a full or adiscounted fee
• Whether you would like library access during the course.

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

Upon receipt of payment, we will confirm your place on the course.

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

Satellites for Disaster Prevention and Management

Thursday, June 13th, 2019

Legal, technical and practical elements of dealing with disasters, using modern technology, were addressed at a seminar on 14 May 2019 at Charles Clore House in London. Vital documents were also discussed, including the UN Remote Sensing Principles, the Disaster Charter and the Crisis Connectivity Charter. Technical and practical topics included:

• risk evaluation
• the use of Risk Petri Dishes and AI
• multiple-hazard risk to infrastructure
• GIS and remote sensing techniques including high resolution
• spatial disaggregation of data for mapping
• real-time satellite information and social networks
• SAR data in cloudy conditions
• Copernicus and Sentinel satellites
• computing challenges in remote sensing

This was the third in our series “Space Serving Humanity”, presented together with the UCL Space Domain. The Programme, Report, a presentation by Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, and Professor Jan-Peter Muller’s presentation slides are available to download.

Space Law: Fit for Purpose?

Monday, June 10th, 2019

Some say that space law no longer meets the needs of the space sector, especially  commercial space ventures. 

Does international space law prevent some space activities?  Has the rapid improvement in space technology out-stripped development of the law?  

Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, ISPL Director, answered these questions by looking at some ventures of greatest interest today.

• Space traffic management (STM)
• On-orbit servicing
• Asteroid mining
• Exploitation of other space resources
• Space tourism
• Living off-world

He made the presentation at the UCL Space Policy Workshop on 15 May 2019.  He focussed on the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement.  He also addressed the Law of the High Seas, and the analogy of space mining to freedom of fishing in international waters.  He concluded with a consideration of the future of space law.

Participants at ISPL’s 3-day Space Policy and Law Course in October will learn more about these and many other topics of space policy, law and activity.   

If you would like to receive notice of ISPL events, visit our website.

Space Policy & Law Course – CPD

Monday, October 1st, 2018

Space Policy and Law Course 2018 Bursary Competition

Friday, July 13th, 2018

This year we are offering a bursary to one post-graduate student for our annual 3-day Space Policy and Law Course. The course runs from 15-17 October 2018, in Russell Square, London, from 9.30 to 17.00. More information about the course, including a programme, is here. The bursary is competitive, and the successful student will attend the course without paying the usual fees. Who should apply? We are looking for an MPhil or PhD student working on a topic related to the space sector, public international law or another area of study that aligns with the content of the course.The successful applicant will have good communications skills, and will be able to show a demonstrable benefit to be derived from attending the course. What will the student do? The successful applicant will attend all three days, and operate the audio recorder for all sessions. She or he will also write a short record of the follow-up question & answer sessions and the case studies. We will give guidance on how this can best be done. The summary will be incorporated in our internal report, which will be sent to the course attendees. We will give credit for the student’s contribution, and post a notice online about the winning applicant, with a brief bio. How to apply Please submit a sample of a report of any length that you have written about a topic or event you have attended.  Please also include a cover letter explaining what the course will add to your current study or research. As a final step in the selection process we will get in touch with your academic supervisor about the offer of the bursary. The closing date is 1 September 2018. When will we announce the award? 14 September 2018. Any questions? Please contact Ray at Events@space-institute.org.