Catalog

Technical programme

IAC-21 — 72nd International Astronautical Congress

E7. IISL COLLOQUIUM ON THE LAW OF OUTER SPACE

The 2021 IISL Colloquium focuses on how the latest technological developments are impacting the development of the law of outer space, and on whether space law should embrace new fields of activities, such as cyber, within its scope. The Colloquium looks at current discussions about questions related to the ethics and understanding of what is meant by treaty law terms freedom of exploration and use. It examines how space situational awareness (SSA), space surveillance and tracking (SST) can be integrated as elements within a greater framework for effective space traffic management. It serves as a forum to discuss developments of national space law as a constitutive element of the overall framework of space law enforcing and detailing the principles and general norms of space law, in particular within the field of security. It looks at whether existing legal concepts, particularly responsibility and liability for autonomous systems driven by artificial intelligence, are sufficiently regulated, and whether there is a homogenous approach to licensing at national level. It also provides insights as to how disruptive NewSpace activities can and should be accommodated by space law.

Coordinator

Lesley Jane Smith
Leuphana University of Lüneburg/Weber-Steinhaus & Smith — Germany

Catherine Doldirina
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — Italy

E7.1. IISL Young Scholars session and Dr. Jasentuliyana Keynote lecture by a leading space law expert

This session is open for abstracts and papers from space lawyers under 35 years old. It welcomes contributions on any topics related to space law. It also features a regular, annual keynote presentation by a leading space law expert. In 2021, the invited speaker is Dr. Ranjana Kaul, -Attorney and Partner in New Delhi, expert in aerospace law in India, and long-standing member of IISL.

Co-Chair

Setsuko Aoki
Keio University — Japan

Mohamed Amara
UAE Space Agency — United Arab Emirates

Rapporteur

Jenni Tapio
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — Finland

Dimitra Stefoudi
Leiden University — The Netherlands

E7.2. International cooperation on the way to the Moon and Mars

The exploration of Moon and Mars remains, if not “the,” then one of the crucial endeavors of present space research. In order to achieve their goals, these projects are accompanied by a broad network of regulatory instruments outlining different models of cooperation among various international partners. This session analyses these bi- and multilateral tools and compares them with current models of cooperation in space exploration. In the area of environmental protection, the legal status of Lunar water is analysed, and the need to update the COSPAR rules to these space endeavors is discussed. Furthermore, the session stimulates discussions on interoperability and standardization of elements of space objects and offers a platform for exchanging the views on the legal aspects of the establishment of communication networks on the Moon.

Co-Chair

Steven Freeland
Western Sydney University — Australia

Mahulena Hofmann
University of Luxembourg — Luxembourg

Rapporteur

Sandra Cabrera Alvarado
University of Luxembourg — Luxembourg

Federico Bergamasco
University of Luxembourg — Luxembourg

E7.3. A new look at (how far are we with) Space Traffic Management

The subject of space traffic management continues to attract attention from technical and regulatory experts alike, with ongoing concern to move discussions forwards in mapping out and reaching agreement on a system of secure and safe orbital activities worthy of that name. This session takes as its starting point the various space data exchange systems currently in operation in support of conjunction avoidance, along with various studies that have looked at the subject. The aim of the session is to look at how space situational awareness (SSA), space surveillance and tracking (SST) can be integrated as elements within a greater framework for effective space traffic management. The session also looks at the approach to data sharing, and the factors influencing its limitations in practice. Authors are invited to share thoughts and proposals on the rules and mechanisms for space data exchange that could constitute a framework for space traffic management that invites consensus at international level. It also reviews efforts underway in certain states to develop coherent structures with similar goals at national level.

Co-Chair

Diane Howard
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — United States

Martha Mejia-Kaiser
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — Germany

Rapporteur

Sumaya Al Hajeri
United Arab Emirates Space Agency — United Arab Emirates

Gina Petrovici
German Space Agency — Germany

E7.4. The relations between Trade Law, Finance and Space Law

The transition in space activities from a largely government driven domain towards a more liberalised market for space-based commercial operations and services, subject to national control, continues to develop in line with the call for an expanding variety of services to be delivered by this sector. Whereas space-based operations such as satellite broadcasting and telecommunications were among the first in the hands of the commercial sector, demands for new types of robotic and AI-related space services are rising from this NewSpace sector that is developing the technology. The shift away from state-dominated to commercial-based operations increases the commercial sector’s exposure more directly to the rules of international trade law, as well as to rules of international corporate finance. Whether the procurement of government-based services form the commercial sector, or access by non-national companies to foreign space markets, the space sector is exposed to a greater interaction with tariff and trade agreements, to the control of import and dual use goods, and international trade and economic law. This session invites papers dealing with corporate funding of the NewSpace sector, as well as the rules relating to free trade insofar as they affect access to foreign space markets. It also welcomes reviews on the interface between government and privately funded space activities, including procurement of commercial services.

Co-Chair

Ingo Baumann
BHO Legal — Germany

Diane Howard
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — United States

Lesley Jane Smith
Leuphana University of Lüneburg/Weber-Steinhaus & Smith — Germany

Rapporteur

Emilie Marley Siemssen
GomSpace Aps — Denmark

Kamlesh Brocard
Swiss Space Office (SSO) — Switzerland

E7.5. National space law and security – an update

National space law is a constitutive element of the overall framework of space law and details the principles and general norms of space law, thereby ensuring their applicability and enforcement at the national level. An increasing number of countries has, in the recent past, adopted national legislation relating to space activities. This session invites authors to submit papers relating to national law with a particular focus on how emerging space legislation at domestic level is aligned with the principles of international space law, in particular, how it responds to the growing call for security-related measures. Authors are invited to consider how differences in national approaches might affect the execution of space activities, both nationally and internationally, again including issues related to security and sustainability. Authors are also invited to consider how provisions of national space law are enforced at domestic level in the context of foreign and international collaborative space activities involving organisations from different countries. Foreign commercial space activities should be included in these deliberations.

Co-Chair

Dennis Burnett
[unlisted] — United States

Mahulena Hofmann
University of Luxembourg — Luxembourg

Rapporteur

Zeina Ahmad
University of Cologne — Germany

Rada Popova
Isar Aerospace Technologies GmbH — Germany

E7.6-E3.5. 35th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable: Conversations about Commercialization

The IAA-IISL Roundtable for this year’s 2021 International Astronautical Congress in Dubai has adopted a more topical approach given travel uncertainties, postponing the original Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roundtable to the 2022 Paris meeting. In its place, the Roundtable Organizing Committee noted the growing interest in the scientific, technical, legal and economic consequences of the rapid growth in the number of worldwide commercial firms launching and operating space systems, resulting in an exciting opportunity for “Conversations about Commercialization” to address these transformations. Topics arising from commercialization will include conversations with experts about the implications of mega-constellations for space traffic management, licensing and certification of non-governmental space vehicles, launchers and passengers for an expanding space tourism industry, and scientific oversight of lunar and planetary explorations undertaken by commercial entities. We anticipate an engaging and informative exchange of viewpoints about this rapidly evolving space sector.

Co-Chair

Marco Ferrazzani
European Space Agency (ESA) — France

Peter Martinez
Secure World Foundation — United States

Alex da Silva Curiel
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) — United Kingdom

Rapporteur

Marc Haese
DLR, German Aerospace Center — Germany

Nicola Rohner-Willsch
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) — Germany

E7.7. NewSpace and Space Law

NewSpace companies are disrupting the approach to carrying out space activities by traditional space actors, particularly states and big traditional OldSpace actors. The “disruption” covers areas that include approaches to production, marketing strategies, delivery of goods and services, financing of operational activities that often drastically differ from those traditionally adopted and followed by in the past. At the same time, it is often observed that NewSpace companies are not, at the very least, fully aware of the legal and regulatory framework for space activities that applies, irrespective of the nature of a space actor. This may result in violations of the existing and applicable legal regime. The session invites submissions that analyse the application of regulatory framework regarding space activities to NewSpace sector, challenges of implementation and enforcement, licensing, compliance with existing standards, etc., as well as provide insights as to potential development of regulatory framework in the foreseeable future.

Co-Chair

Catherine Doldirina
International Institute of Space Law (IISL) — Italy

PJ Blount
Cardiff University — United Kingdom

Rapporteur

Ruairidh Leishman
[unlisted] — United Kingdom

Alessandra Vernile
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) — Italy

E7.IP. Interactive Presentations - IISL COLLOQUIUM ON THE LAW OF OUTER SPACE

The IP session is not restricted to any specific topic related to space law and invites authors to contribute presentations on any interesting, relevant and current space law issues.

Co-Chair

OLAVO DE OLIVEIRA BITTENCOURT NETO
Catholic University of Santos — Brazil

Christopher Johnson
Secure World Foundation — United States