India: New Space Policy    [ 01/08/2021 ]

On-line seminar on 28 July 2020 explained changes to Indian space policy “aimed at boosting private sector participation in the entire range of space activities.”  Experts discussed Indian engagement with space to provide context for the recent developments followed by analysis of changes in policy and their political and legal implications as well as evaluation...

Tianwen-1: China’s Objectives    [ 01/08/2021 ]

As China launches its Mars mission Tianwen-1 we consider some of the objectives it hopes to achieve. The analysis is based on knowledge of Chinese policies and ambitions in space....

Space Policy and Law Course 2020 and ISPL Events    [ 01/08/2021 ]

To protect our staff, colleagues and attendees we are postponing our annual practitioners’ course, usually held in October, to a date to be determined.  We continue to be active on a number of projects, conducting research and writing on current topics.  The results of these will be posted on this website as they become available....

Tribute to Bin Cheng    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The Journal of Space Law is dedicating a special issue reflecting on the legacy of Professor Bin Cheng.  The publication honours his tremendous contributions to the field. The Director of ISPL, Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, will guest edit the edition.  Leading space lawyers and policy experts will write about the future course of space policy and...

Professor Bin Cheng (1921-2019)    [ 01/08/2021 ]

It is with great sadness that ISPL reports the death of its great friend and Honorary President, Professor Bin Cheng, the most long-standing and distinguished academic in public international law.  He died of natural causes in London on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at the age of ninety-eight. Bin was a world authority on international air...

ISPL on CGTN    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL Research Fellow, Dr Christoph Beischl took part in China Global Television Network’s programme The Agenda, discussing the regulation of the space commercial market and international co-operation in space, on Sunday 10 November 2019.  Other guests included Prof Anu Ojha, Sarah Cruddas and Mitch Hunter-Scallion....

Space Policy and Law Course 2019 CPD    [ 01/08/2021 ]

14 – 16 October 2019, London. Through lectures, discussions and interactive case-studies we explore Space Policy & Law. The space environment and space technology Orbits, their characteristics and management Spectrum management Space policy principles, regime and institutions The law governing space activities: principles & sources of space law, including conventions and treaties, national laws and policies...

Satellites for Disaster Prevention and Management    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Space Law: Fit for Purpose?    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Space Policy & Law Course - CPD    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Space Policy and Law Course 2018 Bursary Competition    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Space Policy & Law Course CPD    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Stephen Briggs and James Cemmell Join ISPL Faculty    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The Institute is honoured and delighted to welcome Professor Stephen Briggs and Mr James Cemmell to its distinguished Faculty.  Welcoming their addition to the Faculty, the Director said:  “Stephen’s vast experience and many years at ESA and other international organisations add to our teaching, research and consulting capabilities, especially in earth observation and related policy...

Seminar Series Outer Space Serving Humanity: Environmental Security    [ 01/08/2021 ]

This interdisciplinary seminar series examines the benefits of space systems and services to the world.  The seminars 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...

Report of ISPL and UCL SD Seminar 1: Outer Space Serving Humanity    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

Seminar Series: Outer Space Serving Humanity    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

The UK Space Sector and Brexit    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL and UCL held a joint workshop on the impact on the UK space sector of UK withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit). On Thursday 23 March 2017 participants from government, manufacturing, industry, service providers and system operators, legal, market and consulting professionals, government advisers and academics met to discuss many critical issues. The workshop...

Space Policy Day for University Students    [ 01/08/2021 ]

  Students with an interest in the space sector are invited to register for an interactive and informative event at Cranfield University on Friday 31 March.  Speaking will be Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, Director of ISPL, Jean-Jacques Tortora, Director of ESPI, and representatives from the UK space sector.  The event is supported by Astronautics and Space Engineering...

Space Law and Policy Course October 2016 - CPD    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Booking is almost full as of today, 15 September 2016.  Please telephone before submitting payment, to confirm if there are additional openings. Space Law and Policy Course (CPD) at Charles Clore House, Russell Square, London DATE:  10 – 12 October 2016. The booking form below will secure your place – please telephone to confirm availability...

Case Study on Governance in Space Exploration    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL is pleased to post this study, written as a dissertation for an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management at the University of Leicester’s Civil Safety and Security Unit.  Although it is not specifically concerned with space law or policy, we believe it will be of interest to many in the space sector and...

Space Law and Policy One-day Course for Students    [ 01/08/2021 ]

  ISPL’s space policy and law one-day course for students will be on Saturday, 30 April 2016 in London.  Thanks to the generous support of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, the only charge will be a £10 registration fee. No previous knowledge of law is required.  Students on the course may be studying law, governance, engineering, space-related...

Jean-Jacques Dordain joins ISPL Advisory Board    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The Institute is delighted to welcome Jean-Jacques Dordain to our Advisory Board. He will join five other distinguished individuals whose role includes advising on ISPL’s focus, areas of concentration and direction.  They are essential to the functioning of the Institute, along with our Faculty and many others who contribute to our activities. Jean-Jacques served with...

SPLC 2021 Application    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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Space Law and Policy Course 2015 (CPD)    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The 2015 Space Law and Policy Course will be offered 11-13 May 2015 in London. The Course will include lectures from ISPL’s Director and Faculty and other experts, and will include interactive case studies on topical aspects of law and policy. The 2014 Course received very positive reviews.  A wide range of delegates participated in the...

Space Law and Policy Course for University Students: Re-scheduling    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The 2015 space law and policy course for university students will be rescheduled, and will now be offered in the Autumn term 2015. Our courses are normally intended for high-level practitioners and civil servants. This is an excellent opportunity for those beginning their careers to learn about the law as it applies to the increasing range...

UKSEDS Annual Conference    [ 01/08/2021 ]

On the weekend of 28 February – 1 March 2015 the UK chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space are holding their annual conference. The event will be hosted by the University of Surrey, an institution deeply involved in the space sector.  Speakers include ISPL Faculty Member Richard Graham, who will talk about...

Commercialisation of Space    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Commercialisation of Space: Opportunities and Challenges is a wide-ranging and valuable record of a conference of the same name, co-edited by two distinguished friends of ISPL. Professor Ram Jakhu, of McGill University’s Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL), is a Member of our Faculty, and we were pleased to collaborate on the conference with...

Professor Bin Cheng Honoured by RAeS    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The Royal Aeronautical Society has been honouring outstanding achievers in the global aerospace industry since 1909, when Wilbur and Orville Wright received the first Gold Medal. Awards have since been given to individuals and teams who have made exceptional contributions to aerospace, for outstanding achievements and contributions, technical innovation, leadership, long and valued service, and...

Future Space Lawyers    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL is adding information to the website on a new page for future space lawyers. The FAQs about the field, how to train and who to talk to, links to other institutions and how to get started in a career in space law and policy will be on the Students page.     Students of...

Rosetta Mission Landing on Comet    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Everyone at ISPL joins in congratulating those involved in the Rosetta Mission, after the successful landing of Philae on the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko at 16.03 UTC, 12 November 2014. Click here for a live stream of Mission activities. This was an incredible achievement from the team, and although the lander has now gone silent, the mission has been a great success.   The image...

Student Space Law & Policy Course    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL is pleased to announce its first student space law & policy course for those at university. It will take place in London on Saturday 15 November, 2014.     Our courses and seminars have enjoyed strong interest and enrolment from university students at all levels. In response, we will offer a one-day intensive series of...

Space Law and Policy Course for Students - Date Change    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL is pleased to announce its first space law and policy course for students, to take place on a Saturday to be confirmed in London. The date will be posted and advertised very shortly. Our courses and seminars have enjoyed strong interest and enrolment from university students at all levels. In response, we will offer a...

Space Law and Policy Course (CPD) Completed May 2014    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The 2014 Space Law and Policy Course for practitioners, civil servants, academics and space sector professionals took place in London during May 2014.  A wide range of delegates participated in the lectures, discussions and case studies, resulting in a stimulating series of meetings over three days.  Comments following the course uniformly praised the content, presentation and...

Space Law and Policy Course (CPD) Open for Enrolment    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

In Memory of Professor Vladimír Kopal    [ 01/08/2021 ]

We are sad to report that Professor Vladimír Kopal passed away on 27 January 2014 at the age of 85. He was Professor of International Law at the West Bohemian University in Pilsen, Czech Republic, he was Chairman of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. A brief biography...

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013    [ 01/08/2021 ]

  The winners have been announced in the Royal Observatory’s astronomy photography competition. More than 1200 photographs of stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial highlights were submitted through Sky at Night Magazine and Flickr. The Winners  The overall winner, and the winner of the Earth and Space category, was Mark Gee of Australia, with “Guiding...

Space Situational Awareness Presentations    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

Emerging Topics in Space Law    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL Faculty members Professor Dempsey and Dr  Jakhu report that the the Institute of Air and Space Law of McGill University will present a seminar on emerging space issues in May, 2014 in Melbourne. Professor Paul Dempsey is Director of the Institute of Air and Space Law, and Dr Ram Jakhu is Associate Professor.  ...

Space Commerce Presentations    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL Faculty member Tanja Masson-Zwaan and Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, ISPL Director, addressed the International Space Commerce 2013 Summit in London on 29 October 2013.  Tanja is President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and Deputy Director of the International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden Law School.  She spoke about Regulation of...

Space Situational Awareness Conference    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL speakers will participate in a conference on SSA next week.  Professor Richard Crowther, and Professor Sa’id Mosteshar will address the conference on 13 and 14 November 2013.  The conference, Space Situational Awareness 2013, includes presentations on political and technical issues by experts from across Europe and the USA. Topics will include space debris mitigation and...

Space Commerce Conference    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, ISPL Director, and ISPL Faculty member Tanja Masson-Zwaan will address the International Space Commerce 2013 Summit in London on 29 October 2013.  Tanja is President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and Deputy Director of the International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden Law School.  She will speak about...

ISPL Congratulates The Winner of the 2013 Lachs Moot    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The 2013 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition was won by the team from Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. The International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden University, the Netherlands was runner-up. Semi-finalists were the University of Pretoria, South Africa and National Law University (Delhi), India. ISPL congratulates the members of these teams,...

ISPL Faculty Member to Judge Google Lunar XPrize    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Derek Webber will be one of the eight judges of the Google Lunar XPrize.  With a long and distinguished career in the space sector, Derek is an expert in space tourism, and an ISPL faculty member.  Derek is the author of ‘The Wright Stuff – The Century of Effort Behind your Ticket to Space.’ The prize...

ISPL Space Security Seminar in the news    [ 01/08/2021 ]

  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...

Space Security: Civilian and Military Policy and Practice    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

The Future of Manned Space Flight    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

Space Law Short Course (CPD)    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

Policy & Regulatory Risk: Seminar IV-II    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

ISPL Seminar at European Space Solutions    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

New Faculty and Advisory Board Members    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

In Memory of Carl Q Christol    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

ISPL Director participates in Space Debris Congress    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

ISPL Faculty discuss space debris and insurance risk    [ 01/08/2021 ]

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...

Institute Director to join Legal & Regulatory Committee of IAASS    [ 01/08/2021 ]

ISPL’s Director, Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, has been invited to join the Legal and Regulatory Committee of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety. In accepting, he said, ” I am honoured to join distinguished colleagues in the work of the Committee, which is critical to future use of outer space and its preservation...

UNIDROIT Space Protocol: Workshop 9 February 2011    [ 01/08/2021 ]

The Workshop addressed the proposed adoption of the UNIDROIT Space Protocol, its legal and commercial merits. UNIDROIT Space Protocol Workshop Report The following is an outline of the program. It was highly participatory, with discussion following several brief presentations. PRACTITIONER AND INDUSTRY WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2011 8:45 TO 13:00 FINANCING SPACE ASSETS: THE UNIDROIT...

Evidence from Space: Workshop    [ 01/08/2021 ]

A Workshop was held on Tuesday, 5 October as part of the Study for the European Space Agency exploring the evidential value and conditions for use of satellite-derived information in administrative and judicial settings. Delegates were given a briefing document shortly before the workshop, laying out the areas to be covered and summarising some of...

Evidence from Space: ESA EO Project Extension    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Evidence from Space EO Research Earth Observation (EO) information as evidence in courts and tribunals ESA has indicated its willingness to extend the Earth Observation Project Evidence from Space, currently being conducted by the Institute’s faculty and associated researchers. The Institute is delighted and welcomes this development. An extension will allow the scope of the study...

Space Tourism at King’s College London    [ 01/08/2021 ]

Space Tourism Module for KCL The Institute has agreed to provide a taught module on legal and policy aspects of space tourism for the Space Physiology & Health MSc course at King’s College London. “We are very pleased to have been asked and look forward to greater cooperation with King’s College. This collaboration is a...