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.

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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

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. 

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.

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