Space Law
Policy Considerations for Satellite Communications
The demand for space resources can only increase in a set up where space-based technologies and services will be integral to explore, govern, teach, learn, conduct business and defend national territories. →
Understanding the UAE Space Vision through its Program and Law
Created in 2014, the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) is the space agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country composed of seven emirates. Let us have a look. →
The Chang’e 5 Mission: Aims And Consequences
Named after the Chinese Moon goddess, Chang’e is a lunar sample return space probe. Chang’e 5 is part of the Chinese lunar exploration program, and was set up by the Chinese space agency (CNSA). Let us have a look. →
Understanding Transpace Carriers Inc. v. United States (1990)
Transpace Carriers, Inc. v. United States of 1990 is one of the most important space law cases regarding pre-contractual breach in contract law. Let us have a look. →
Understanding Hughes Communications Galaxy Inc. v. United States (2001)
Hughes Communications Galaxy Inc. v. United States case of 2001 is one of the most important decisions of contract law within space activities law. Let us have a look. →
The French Act Relating to Space Activities
In France, a distinction is made between “space uses”, which are services provided from space such as telecommunications, location or satellite observation, and “space operations” which concern the methods and devices used to go into space, stay there and then come back to Earth. The 2008 French act only deals with the legal framework of space operations. →
The Use of Nuclear Powered Engines in Outer Space
On August 20, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a memorandum about research on a potential launch of spacecraft containing nuclear powered engines. Let us have a look. →
The Canadian Space Program
Canada has become a pioneer in satellite communications and Earth observation in response to the needs of a population scattered over thousands of kilometers, as well as the need to monitor the longest coastline in the world and second-largest territory. →
Policy Solutions for Cybersecurity in Space
A dedicated space and cybersecurity policy, as opposed to a general cybersecurity bill, will enhance a state’s ability to be more resilient to the particular risks posed to space services and capabilities, including space weather. It also enhances national security interests through space. →
The Failure of the Launch of the French Taranis Satellite
On the night of November 16-17, 2020, the French Taranis satellite took off from the Guyana Space Center in Kourou. Unfortunately, this mission ended in failure, since the satellite was lost only eight minutes after its launch. →
Understanding the ENMOD Convention
The ENMOD Convention, also known as the Convention on the prohibition of military or any hostile use of environmental modification techniques, is an international treaty whose objective is to prohibit such techniques for military or hostile purposes. Let us have a look! →
The Space Legal Issues with Mega-Constellations
Nowadays, we hear more and more about constellations and mega-constellations projects consisting of hundreds or thousands of small spacecraft. A satellite constellation is a group of artificial satellites working together. Is it legal? What are the space legal issues? →
Space Adventures: The First Private Space Company
On June 25, 2020, Space Adventures announced that it had signed a contract with Russia space corporation Energia to send two tourists in 2023 on board the Soyuz spacecraft to the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS). →
The Artemis Accords Explained
The Artemis Accords state that the use of space resources can benefit humanity. And NASA plans to exploit lunar resources extensively during the Artemis program, especially the water ice that seems to be plentiful on the permanently shadowed floors of lunar craters. →
All About The First Space Tourist
Dennis Tito, a rich Californian, passionate by cosmos issues since he was seventeen years old, has introduced the idea of space tourism by planning a special project with Russia in 2001. →
The Association of Space Explorers
Today, the Association of Space Explorers works to promote space exploration, science, engineering, and environmental protection related to these activities. ASE is an international association whose membership is selective. →
Understanding the Wolf Agreement
In 2013, the Wolf Agreement was introduced by Franck Wolf in order to control and submit to Congress approval any space related collaboration between the United States and China. →
Conquest of Mars: Phoney War, Cold War or Star Wars?
Protagonists have changed, but motivations remain the same. The conquest of space will always remain the supreme aspiration of countries wanting to assert themselves as a great power in the eyes of humans, through technology. Only a question of cultural soft power? Not so sure. →
Understanding the NASA Artemis Accords
On May 15, 2020, NASA published the Artemis Accords that put in place a set of principles to guide the execution of the Artemis program to send a team of astronauts to the Moon by 2024. →
Monaco in space
For this new Space Law article on Space Legal Issues, let us have a look at Monaco and its space program. How is the Principality doing in space? Has it signed and ratified the Outer Space Treaty? Does the microstate have any space assets? Let us have a look. Ad Astra! →