ISPL Space Security Seminar in the news

Thursday, September 12th, 2013

Our Seminar is the subject of an excellent article by Owen Bowcott, Legal Correspondent of The Guardian.

The latest in ISPL’s series of Practitioner and Industry Seminars, the event on Tuesday 10 September 2013 was lively and instructive, featuring presentations from a number of experts and a lively debate between them and the audience.  Participants in the Seminar included civilian and military specialists in space law and policy, academics and students from a variety of fields, and representatives of government and the space sector.

Space security is concerned with maintaining and protecting space assets, their terrestrial elements and infrastructure, and their services and capabilities.  Space-based infrastructures are essential to established and emerging economies, and are critical to government, business and virtually every other part of our lives, and their security and sustainable use are crucial. These include navigational systems, guiding drones or helping rescuers reach a stranded climber, providing time signals for banking transactions and managing telecommunication data packages.

The Seminar covered risks that would affect virtually all societies, as most are in some degree dependent on space assets.  These risks include the use of weapons in space and the creation of debris, a lasting menace and a significant factor in planning commercial space projects. Disablement or loss of space assets would cause disruption and great inconvenience, particularly in the more technologically advanced societies. Even in the developing world, many communication systems rely heavily on satellites and on space-based time signals.

The Report shortly to be posted here will provide a detailed summary of the presentations and discussions, and will be followed by another in the journal Space Policy.  Both will be of interest to those unable to attend, and to those involved in space activities or engaged in the design and operation of space systems, their advisers, insurers and military and civilian security specialists.  The Reports will also be of interest to policy makers and lawyers who advise them, as well as scholars in related fields.

Owen Bowcott’s article about the Seminar is available here.

Here is the brochure containing information about the Seminar.

Space Security: Civilian and Military Policy and Practice

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

On Tuesday 10 September ISPL will offer a seminar on space security, covering aspects of military and civilian policy and practice.  The presentations and discussions will inform those involved in space activities, policy makers and lawyers who advise them, as well as scholars.

Space security is concerned with maintaining and protecting space assets, including their terrestrial elements and infrastructure.  They provide services and capabilities such as navigational systems, drone guidance and rescue services, as well as time signals for banking transactions and managing telecommunication data.  Particularly in the more technologically advanced societies and even in the developing world, maintenance of many communication systems rely heavily on satellites and on space-based time signals.

Debris and weapons use are two areas that raise security issues for government, business, and virtually every other part of our lives.  This Seminar will consider both civilian and military aspects of space security. The presentations will cover arms control in space; recent developments in technical and regulatory measure to combat debris and other security vulnerabilities; the importance of cyber security in relation to space; and the considerations relevant to formulating a space security policy, including the interaction between civilian and military priorities.

The morning will include presentations by 4 speakers.  The abstract of each presentation and biographical details of the speakers are set out below, along with registration details.

Seminar Program

Please note that this event is not being held at our usual venue in Russell Square.  We will meet at Senate House for this Seminar.

The Future of Manned Space Flight

Monday, May 20th, 2013

ISPL Faculty member Derek Webber has proposed a way to break the log-jam in manned space flight.

In the 40 years since the last Apollo mission to the Moon, nobody has been any further than low Earth orbit. The key to future interplanetary journeys is to get routinely, reliably, and at relatively low cost, out of Earth’s gravity.  Once there, only relatively small amounts of delta energy (and therefore money) are required to go anywhere else in the solar system.

One solution is to establish a Gateway that can be used for entry and return of any future interplanetary vehicles.  Possible locations are discussed, including the proposed ‘Spaceport Earth’  –  at or near geostationary orbit.

Read the article here.

Derek Webber is the Director of Spaceport Associates, and directed three landmark studies in commercial space business planning that established the existence of a space tourism market. He has provided testimony to the President’s Commission on the Future of the US Aerospace Industry, and has been recognized at the Space Tourism Society’s Orbit Awards for his contributions to the formation of the space tourism industry. An active member of the Reusable Launch Vehicles Working Group and the Launch Operations Support Working Group of the Federal Aviation Authority’s COMSTAC Committee, is a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society.

Derek’s career began as a launch vehicle and satellite engineer in the UK in what is now EADS/Astrium Space Systems. He became Head of Procurement at the satellite service provider Inmarsat, (responsible for contracting for over a billion dollars worth of communications satellites, their launch vehicles and ground segment), and Managing Director of Tachyon Europe (providing satellite broadband and Internet access across the continent). Derek holds Degrees in Physics and Mathematics from Newcastle University (UK), and postgraduate qualifications in Space Science from University College London (UK).

Space Law Short Course (CPD)

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

ISPL offered an introduction to space law and policy in a short course in April and May 2013. Non-lawyers and lawyers in other fields found it of interest, as did professionals and students in many disciplines.    Details of the Spring 2013 course are available here.

The Space Law and Policy course is intended for professionals desiring a good understanding of national, European, and international space law, and for students interested in broadening their education. It is a requirement for non-lawyers wishing to pursue a higher degree with ISPL.  ISPL is a CPD provider for Barristers and  Solicitors.

Future Space Law Courses will be advertised to those on our Events Notification list, and to those who have expressed interest in attending.  Please fill in our Events Notification Form if you would like to be notified of future courses.

Policy & Regulatory Risk: Seminar IV-II

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

The final seminar of the Practitioner and Industry Seminar Series on Risks Associated with Space Activity was held on Thursday 27 October 2011 in London.

Seminar IV-II: Policy and Regulatory Risk

By its very nature, space activity can be more susceptible to risk than comparable terrestrial activity.  Along with security and physical hazards associated with launch and debris, for example, there are significant additional business ramifications.  There are risks specific to space commerce as a result of the long-term nature of the projects, and by virtue of their ultimate physical placement.  The choice of technology and other design decisions are critical, because once an object is launched, alteration is difficult or impossible.  In addition, the sector is notable for regulatory and policy variables which necessitate great care in planning to avoid unpredictability. There are also financial and insurance concerns specific to space ventures.

In this complex environment, it is essential to understand and quantify risk in  undertaking a commercial space venture, its funding and insurance.  In order to foster better understanding of these risks, and to encourage appropriate policy directions in all areas of the space sector, the Institute has brought together leading specialists to present a series of seminars on space risks and their insurance.

The aim of the series is to inform and engage those involved in space activities, policy makers and lawyers who advise them, as well as students and scholars in the field.  Previous seminars attracted interested and stimulating participants, and were marked by insightful comments and policy suggestions.

The final seminar of the series dealt with policy and regulatory issues affecting areas other than those related to spectrum. Topics covered are set out in the program below.  Like the previous seminars, it was of short duration in order to fit into the working day of our speakers and delegates.  There was ample time for comment and discussion.

Proceedings of the Seminar

ISPL Seminar at European Space Solutions

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

On Tuesday, 4 December 2012 ISPL held a Seminar at European Space Solutions. The Seminar examined the qualities of systems, procedures, handling, treatment and processing of space-derived data and information against the needs of the diplomatic and legal communities. It gave an indication of what needs to be provided and how it can best be used. Examination of two particular applications provided context for the issues discussed.

Space-derived data can supply useful and at times the only record of the state of affairs at a particular time and location. This ability to provide objective evidence can be invaluable in the enforcement of laws and international commitments, such as carbon emission reduction, as well as resolving diplomatic disputes. However, in the use of such information as legal evidence a number of procedural and substantive criteria must be met. Information that meets the legal criteria can be strongly persuasive in a host of circumstances, not least as an aid to diplomatic negotiations.

Lawyers, judges, diplomats, humanitarian aid providers, as well as those involved in the collection, treatment and interpretation of space-derived data found the Seminar of particular interest.

Click here for the Seminar Program: ISPL Space Solutions Seminar 2012

European Space Solutions was a major 3-day conference, exhibition and business support event. The event brought together business, the public sector, as well as users and developers of space-based solutions to explore how space can make a real difference to the lives, and livelihoods, of people across Europe.

 Events included half-day workshops on subjects such as  Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Ship & Vessel Management and Insurance & Financial Services.  Speakers included Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group, and the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science.

The European Space Expo complemented the conference, a state of the art, interactive public exhibition showcasing the many benefits that EU space programs bring to Europe.

Presentations, including audio files, will shortly be posted on our site.

New Faculty and Advisory Board Members

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

The Institute is honoured to welcome two new faculty members, and a new member of the Board of Advisors.  Professor Dr Mazlan Othman joins the Board of Advisors. Dr Mazlan is Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), and Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs  (UNOOSA).  She brings knowledge, perspective and vast experience to the task.  The Director said, “It is an honour and a privilege to have Professor Mazlan’s talents to complement our outstanding Board of Advisers, whose role includes advising on our focus and direction. Her international stature and understanding of our field is a great asset to the Institute.”

Professor Paul Stephen Dempsey and Mr Peter Hulsroj have accepted the Director’s invitation to join the Institute Faculty. Professor Dempsey is Director of the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University.  Mr Hulsroj is Director of the European Space Policy Institute  (ESPI).  Both bring deep and thorough understanding of the space sector and its international legal and policy framework, with a dedication to advancing learning in the field. Their addition to the Faculty strengthens our close relationship with McGill and with ESPI.  On welcoming them to the Institute, the Director stated, “The addition of these two outstanding legal and policy experts to the Faculty brings added strength to the distinguished Faculty of the Institute, and underlines our commitment to excellence.”

To contact the Director, a member of Faculty or the Board of Advisors, please use this link.

In Memory of Carl Q Christol

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

On 22 February 2012, with the death of Professor Carl Q Christol, the space community and more particularly those involved in international space law lost one of its great scholars and advocates. The Institute has lost a true friend and much valued Adviser. In his comments, the Institute President Professor Bin Cheng captured the sentiments of all who knew Carl, saying: “I am truly shocked to learn of Carl Christol’s death.   Carl was not only a most distinguished public international lawyer, but also one of the leading pioneers of space law. With his penetrating insight, great and meticulous scholarship and indefatigable enthusiasm, he contributed immensely to the development of international space law.  He will be sorely missed.” The Institute Director, Professor Sa’id Mosteshar added: “Carl Christol was an inspiration and a wonderful friend to whom we owe a great deal.”

Biography of Professor Carl Q Christol

ISPL Director participates in Space Debris Congress

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Professor Mosteshar is currently examining some legal issues concerning Active Debris Removal (ADR), also referred to as space debris remediation.  He presented a paper on the subject at the International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris Remediation on 11 November 2011.

The Congress was held at McGill Institute of Air and Space Law in Montreal on 11 and 12 November 2011, and examined various technical concepts and means, legal and economic aspects, operational and organizational requirements for space debris remediation and on-orbit servicing of satellites with the objective of putting forward specific and viable policy and regulatory steps (mechanisms) that may be considered by States and other stakeholders in order to minimize risks posed by space debris.

For more information about the Congress, download: 3rd-Space-Debris-Congress-Program

or visit the IASL site: http://www.mcgill.ca/iasl.

ISPL Faculty discuss space debris and insurance risk

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Space Debris was the focus of an article by Owen Bowcott, the Guardian’s legal affairs correspondent on 28 October 2011.  Owen attended the ISPL Practitioner and Industry Seminar on Policy and Regulatory Risk, the last of the Series on Risks Associated with Space Activity, held on 27 October 2011 in London.

After the event, he spoke to Neil Stevens, a deputy space underwriter at the Atrium Space Insurance Consortium and member of the ISPL Faculty.  They discussed insurance issues arising in relation to space debris, and the concerns of those insuring space ventures.

He also spoke to Sa’id Mosteshar, the ISPL Director, about potential costs associated with increasing risk of satellite collision with debris.  Physical risks such as debris were not the focus of the seminar, but were very topical, following the crash of a NASA satellite into the Pacific Ocean, and a German satellite into the Bay of Bengal.

The Guardian article: Space debris collisions a growing risk, experts warn

For more about the Seminar, see our news item “Policy & Regulatory Risk Seminar 27 October 2011”.