Technical programme

E7.1. 7th Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote Lecture on Space Law and Young Scholars Session

In the first part of this session, the IISL will invite a prominent speaker to address the members of the Institute and other congress attendants on a highly topical issue of broad interest. The second part of this session will be especially dedicated to the space lawyers of the future, in that young scholars (under 35 years old) are invited to present a paper.

E7.2. The relationship of international humanitarian law and territorial sovereignty with the legal regulation of outer space

The regulation of outer space is ‘embedded’ in international law, and the Outer Space Treaty expressly confirms that activities in outer space shall be conducted in accordance with international law. Given the rapid development of space-related technology, outer space is more frequently being used during the course of armed conflict, as well as for the purposes of the protection of, and threats to, territorial integrity and sovereign independence. As such, the legal regulation of outer space intersects with inter alia the principles of the jus in bello, as well as those of the jus ad bellum. This session seeks papers that discuss the significance of these interactions, with particular focus on precisely how and in what circumstances these ‘terrestrial’ areas of international law can be applied in practice to the unique environment of outer space.

E7.3. The portrayal of Space (Law) in Media and Movies

Science-fiction and anticipation are closely connected to the history of the film industry, since its early days, with, from time to time, incursion within the legal or political aspects related to the human adventure in outer space. Under this topic, the presentation and representation of international space law and, more generally, legal or political aspects related to space activities would be reviewed and analyzed, with regard to their relevance and exactitude and with regard to the impact they may have on the large public. Papers presented under this topic could address a particular movie or provide a general analysis through a number of movies

E7.4. Legal Issues of Space Traffic Management

The current amount of 10.000 man-made space objects larger than 10 cm including approx. 650 spacecraft and the fact that the number of launches as well as the number of actors (governmental as well as non-governmental) are growing lead to the expectation of a growing number of space debris in the future. This makes space traffic management necessary which may limit the present enjoyment of the freedoms of outer space: In the IAA Cosmic study of 2010 Space Traffic Management is defined as “the set of technical and regulatory provisions for promoting safe access into outer space, operations in outer space and return from space to Earth free of physical or radio-frequency interference”. Speakers in this session are invited to highlight legal problems and present proposals for the frame of the legal regime for space traffic management.

E7.5. Recent Developments in Space Law

In this session, papers are invited to addres legal aspects of the most recent developments in space activities that have taken place since Spring 2014.

E7.6-E3.5. 30th IAA/IISL Scientific-Legal Round Table: Universities as Actors in Space

Over the past years universities in all regions of the world have become a new player in space activities. They get involved in various ways, the most prominent one being cubesat missions, but also experiments on the ISS or other missions are cost-effective and less complex means to gain access to space. Cubesats and the opportunity of secondary payloads also allow new cooperation between academia and industry, fostering spin-off effetcs and triggering innovation. University space projects often enjoy a higher participation of women, thus allowing an early engagement with the space industry, which may trigger future career changes. However, questions related to technical issues such as standardisation, legal boundary conditions and operation of cubesats and secondary paylods often are difficult to answer yet. And still, flight opportunities remain limited and operation via foreign ground stations is not always easy. Generally, there is potential to enlarge and enhance the involbement of universities in space activities. Issues, but also benefits for education, industry and agencies should be identified and debated. The 2015 IAA/IISL Scientific-Legal Roundtable is to address those questions, thereby allowing an interdisciplinary perspective.

E7.7-B3.8. Joint IAF-IISL Session on the Legal Framework for Collaborative Space Activities

This session hosts papers on topics related to the legal framework governing collaborative space programmes, in particular governmental Exploration programmes and their preparations. For the IAC 2015, the session will put special emphasis on highlighting the impact of ITAR and similar export control regimes on the development and operation phases of collaborative international space programmes, including lessons learned.

E7.IP. Interactive Presentations