Technical programme

E7.1. Young Scholars Session with Keynote Lecture

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. Keynote by Prof. Steven Freeland.

E7.2. UNCOPUOS and ITU Registration of Large Constellations

UNCOPUOS and ITU are two different international structures with interest in space activities. They have a contrasting history, material scope, and membership. Their diverging working methods manifest themselves in their approach to obtaining information about space objects. Whereas the method of advance publication, coordination and notification of frequency assignments used by radio stations onboard space objects, as well as their recording in the Master International Frequency Register used for decades by the ITU allows to obtain an early information about satellite systems, the 1975 UN Registration Convention elaborated by the UNCOPUOS requires limited information on space objects already launched into outer space. These differences become obvious in recent cases of registration of large constellations. The session invites papers which observe the methods of registration of large constellations, discuss the relation of UNCOPUOS and ITU, and analyze the possibility of their further synergies leading to the enhanced information of the space community about satellite networks and systems.

E7.3. Legal Issues Relating to Emerging Space Activities on Celestial Bodies

Plans to engage in activities on the Moon and other celestial bodies are rapidly developing. These range from possible resource exploitation activities all the way to permanent human settlements. Whilst the fascination with life ‘off-earth’ and the creation of a cis-lunar economy are inspiring many, they also require careful consideration regarding a range of legal issues and will necessitate the development of a clear legal framework to guide the way humanity engages in such activities. Among other issues, this session aims to explore questions about appropriate off-earth governance requirements, the rules that will regulate the interactions between humans living on celestial bodies and the regulation of any in situ resource exploitation and associated activities. This will involve an assessment of the existing legal framework for space as well as a ‘gap analysis’ as to what areas require further consideration.

E7.4. Key Governance Issues in the New Space Age

The New Age Space is qualified by new age technologies, applications and the use of space for new age space activities - in and off the Earth’s orbit. To consistently ensure safe, sustainable and secure use of outer space for peaceful purpose will become an ever more critical space governance concern. Therefore, given the general uncertainty around concepts like “ Benefit and Uses of Outer Space to all Humankind” , could we explore New Age Space qua the UN Development Goals 2030 in context to: (i) Role of New Age space technologies – telecommunications/RS&EO/GNSS to extend the benefits of space to developing and least developed countries; (ii) Space Environment Governance; (iii) Long Term Economic Development on Earth; (iv) Global Governance for Space Security and (iv) Capacity Building in Global Space Governance.

E7.5. Supervision of Space Activities

Corresponding to the important transformation of the space sector there is a growing importance to ensure that outer space remains free for exploration and use, and that all actors uphold the fundamental principles. Hence, the national regulators responsible for the authorization and continuing supervision of national space activities are required to put in place adequate means in place to ensure that the national activities are conducted with due regard to the corresponding interests of other countries. This is also reflected by inclusion of ‘supervision’ as Guideline A.3 of the LTS Guidelines (the Guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities adopted by COPUOS in 2019). What should be the role of space situational awareness (SSA) data, or how should various non-legally binding instruments pertaining to space activities be considered in this process?

E7.6-E3.5. 37th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable: "Space Launch from Celestial Bodies: Technology, Law and Policy"

Space launches from Earth have long been the defining technical and legal qualification for states and other entities desiring to engage in the exploration and utilization of the outer space region. Representing a hard-won scientific and technological achievement, space launches are also the basis for assigning legal jurisdiction, supervision, and liability to the launching state under the five foundational outer space treaties. Rapidly growing numbers of non-governmental commercial space companies and facilities are soon moving space launch operations to the Moon and other celestial bodies, augmenting and in some cases replacing governmental space launch entities. Prospects for an extensive expansion of deep space explorations on the Moon, asteroids, and planets will include a greatly diversified range of space launch technologies and regulatory regimes. Space exploration will require both crewed and uncrewed launches, while sample return missions from asteroids, planets, and their moons will also feature dynamically evolving technologies as well as concerns for contamination and environmental protection. This 37th Joint IAA IISL Roundtable will examine the scientific, technical, legal, and regulatory aspects of space launches from celestial bodies. Roundtable Participants: IAA Secretary-General: Jean-Michel Contant, International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), France IISL President: Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, European Space Agency (ESA), France Invited Speakers: Technical Speaker: Dr. Erika Wagner, Blue Origin, Seattle, WA, United States Legal Speakers: Dr. Antonino Salmeri, Open Lunar Foundation Dr. Andrea Harrington, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

E7.7. Recent Developments in Space Law with Particular Focus on Space Debris Remediation

The pollution of the most important orbits by space debris belongs to the pressing challenges for the international community. As a consequence a set of non-binding principles on space debris mitigation were drafted and agreed upon. Now the even greater challenge is the elimination of the waste from the orbits. In view of new existing technologies contributions are encouraged that highlight a possible legal framework for space debris remediation. Space debris remediation will be the special focus of this panel that moreover invites other contributions containing recent challenges for space legislation.

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 (LBA)