Every year the Hague Academy of International Law is organizing a Centre for Studies and Research in International Law and International Relations
The centre d'étude theme for this year (2017) will be:
Fifty Years of Space Law– Space Law in 50 Years.
Directors of Research:
Prof. Stephan HOBE (University of Cologne)
Prof. Philippe ACHILLEAS (University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne)
The 2017 edition proposes an original and rare method of research in law, namely the long-term prospective aspect (the law in half a century). Since space projects are programmed for a long time before they are realized, it is already possible to define legal trends which will develop their full potential in future decades.
In the first part the current lex lata will be described, first of all from the perspective of basic concepts and secondly from the perspective of specific forms of application/as applicable to space activities. This first part shall make evident the development that international space law has gone through up to 2017.
Part I – 1967 – 2017: The 50 years of space law
The Basics of International Space Law
1. The sources of international space law
2. Definition and delimitation of outer space
3. Star wars? A realistic perspective?
4. International responsibility and liability of states in the conduct of space activities
5. The law of outer space: a “self-contained regime”?
International Space Law for the Utilization of Outer Space
6. The law on telecommunications by satellite
7. Information via satellite : a human rights perspective
8. Remote sensing by satellite
9. Navigation by satellite
10. Outer space and developing countries
11. The exploration of the universe
The second part of the contribution shall underline how the rules applicable to human activities in outer space could develop in the coming 50 years.
Part II - 2017 – 2067: Space law in 50 years
The legal frame for space programmes of tomorrow
12. Regulation of microsatellites and mega-constellations
13. Legal regime for suborbital flights
14. Legal regime for space touristic activities
15. The exploitation of natural resources on celestial bodies
16. The discovery of life in outer space
17. The colonization of outer space
The major new legal perspectives associated with tomorrow’s space activities
18. Protection of the space environment – a truly global concern?
19. Space traffic management – a new perspective for space law?
20. The future of international and regional space cooperation
21. European space cooperation: a model for international space cooperation?
22. Development of a new body of private international space law?
23. The adaptation of space law to new challenges as of 2067
24. An international space agency as administrator of the “international common” outer space?