Technical programme

E7.1. IISL Highlight lecture and Young Scholar session

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.

E7.2. Dispute Settlement

The peaceful settlement of international conflicts is a fundamental principle of International Law. Disputes relating to outer space activities encompass specific features, which determine the best suited resolution mechanisms. In a fast-growing space economy, marked by the development of new technologies and capabilities, disputes may naturally ensue. The interests of traditional and new space actors, as well of space faring and non-space faring nations, must be considered. Parties to a space related dispute should seek a solution by peaceful means in order to reach sustainable, effective resolutions. On December 6, 2021, the PCA Optional Rules for Arbitration of Disputes Relating to Outer Space Activities celebrated ten years since its adoption, justifying proper evaluation. The advancement of dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration, mediation and conciliation, are to be addressed, identifying particularities and perspectives.

E7.3. Balancing Needs: Protection of Space Science

The intense uses of outer space by new space technology, as mega constellations or uncoordinated space mining can have harmful effect to other activities, like space astronomy. The session discusses the question of conflicting needs in space exploration and exploitation, and the regulatory approaches to their balancing. From the legal perspective, it presents the problem of the protection of Dark Skies and the Moon surface for astronomy and analyses the question of some resources as the Moon ice from the point of view of protecting the chemical and biological research, as examples. The session invites contributions discussing the freedom of exploration and use of outer space, the problem of balancing different needs in space activities, the protection of space science, especially the astronomy, the legal position of the Moon ice. The COSPAR principles are considered, as well as other international law models aiming at balancing different needs in state-free areas.

E7.4. Space Sustainability

Sustainability of space activities is a precondition that the generations to come will continue benefiting from various space applications. It requires a comprehensive approach and efficient mechanisms aimed at ensuring its implementation and enforcement. However, there is not a universally agreed understanding of exactly what this concept entails. As example, the UN Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities provide important contextual standards but leave open questions as to the precise actions that should be taken to implement them into practice. This session reacts to these uncertainties and seeks to focus on fundamental questions regarding space sustainability including the following: What are/should be the specific elements of space sustainability? What goals should actions to implement space sustainability be directed towards? How should the essential requirements be implemented into practice? What is the practical and legal impact of the Long-term Sustainability Guidelines and what major issues do they raise? What additional mechanisms might be necessary and how should they be developed?"

E7.5. Safety Zones on Celestial Bodies and in Outer Space

The establishment of safety zones on celestial bodies and in outer space protecting the safety of space activities from harmful interference is a concept developed principally by space operators and practice. The problem is that - developed in the 60ties - the present international legal framework, essentially Articles I, II, IX and XII of the Outer Space Treaty, is only superficially tackling this issue and can be interpreted in various directions. Recently, the non-binding Building Blocks for the Development of an International Framework for the Governance of Space Resources Activities brought about food for thought on this issue but as a platform for discussion could not bring any clear-cut solutions. The panel invites for contributions discussing the concept and definition of safety zones on celestial bodies and in outer space. First, it shall consider the conditions for the compliance of these zones with international space law in general. Second, it shall analyse the relevant provisions of the law of outer space in relation to safety zones: the freedom of use of outer space, free access to the areas of outer space, non-appropriation, prevention of harmful interference, the openness of stations and installations, reasonable advance notice of projected visits, consultations, and international responsibility and liability. Furthermore, the papers may discuss specific issues dealing with the size, overlap, time frame, management and control of safety zones. The authors may also deliberate the analogies with the regimes of safety zones in related areas of international law.

E7.6-E3.5. 36th IAA / IISL Joint Roundtable: Autonomous Intelligent Systems in space: Operational and Legal Challenges

INVITED PAPERS ONLY: NO UNINVITED AUTHOR ABSTRACTS The development of artificial intelligence-based autonomous systems for space operations is opening up a whole new set of questions about how these interact with existing legal concepts and technical standards. Intelligent satellites that enable collision avoidance will soon become standard practice; little human intervention will be required beyond the programming. One of the first questions is the extent to which the laws – particularly space laws - governing these technologies on earth are relevant and applicable to these activities in outer space. The growing reliance on autonomous technologies may require a fresh look at the traditional concepts behind the regulation of space activities. The specific attributes of autonomous space systems may also require further consideration when licensing space missions. The aim of this session is to explore the extent to which the world of AI-driven automated processes for space operations and digital connections is developing from both a technical and legal perspective. It will examine how the technical developments, including systems for data sharing and space traffic management, may shape and transform the existing body of legal rules, regulations and practices that apply to space activities. This will inevitably also include how AI technologies relate to the traditional understandings of legal responsibility and liability under national and international space law.

E7.7. Current Developments in Space Law with Special Emphasis on National Space Legislation

The rapid development of space technology and its application require appropriate regulation at the international and the national levels to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Exchange of information and increased cooperation and coordination of regulatory issues are essential. This session is dedicated to presentations and discussions about recent developments in space law with special emphasis on national space legislation. In times of commercialization and privatization of space activities states increasingly enact or amend national space law in order to fulfil their obligations of authorization and continuous supervision. While international space law provides the legal framework and contains the main legal principles for the use of outer space, states must apply and implement them to concrete space programmes, projects, and missions. It is important to discuss the interpretation and application of concepts and terms contained in international instruments in various jurisdictions in order to identify potential inconsistencies, contradictions, or gaps. In addition, the session will analyse to what extent non-binding international instruments, such as the Long-term sustainability guidelines of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), are implemented at the national level. Particularities of national space legislation with respect to national or regional priorities, space policies and programmes will also be reflected.

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.

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

E7.LBA. Late breaking abstracts