Lex Stellar’s Post

With space exploration advancing rapidly and private companies reaching for the stars, it’s time to rethink how we govern and protect this vast frontier. From expanding regulatory frameworks to protecting the space environment, there’s a lot to consider as we shape the future of space governance. In the newest blog post from Lex Stellar, I consider what improvements could be made to outer space governance. Click onto the link below to read more! 💫

📺 WATCH: Our colleagues Aya Iwamoto and Vini A. during the Policy Symposium held by the Agência Espacial Portuguesa | Portugal Space and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in preparation for Summit for the Future.   Catch Aya at 0:09:00 discussing the importance of the ADRAS-J mission as an effort to transform the future of the space economy, and watch Vini at 4:10:00 talking about the space debris issue and the role of on-orbit servicing and Astroscale's activities and missions in developing a sustainable space economy. Interesting discussions were held about ways to ensure the inclusion of industry, non-governmental entities, and NGOs in the international law and regulation process, as well as how lessons can be learnt from the ITU process, and the EU Space Law process and its importance. Special acknowledgement to Portugal, Portugal Space and ANACOM, the PT space authority, for issuing the first licence for satellite launch and command and control operations on March 5, 2024. This is a great example of the democratization of space activities around the world, but it also reminds us that we need to preserve the long-term sustainability of outer space activities to ensure that new space players can carry out their space activities in a space environment free of space debris and other space hazards.   https://lnkd.in/gbj2CxmU #SpaceSymposium #SpaceDebris #OuterSpaceGovernance #Sustainability #UNOOSA #FutureSummit 

In 2019, an international agreement was sealed on guidance for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. 🌍🛰️ This pivotal agreement underscores the significance of global cooperation in prioritising space sustainability. It presents a compendium of internationally recognised measures and commitments to ensure that our space activities remain secure and sustainable for future generations. While these guidelines are voluntary and non-legally binding, they represent a substantial advancement towards responsible space exploration and utilisation. This achievement emphasises the crucial role of collective endeavours in safeguarding our orbital environment. Let's persist in our collaborative efforts to secure a sustainable future for space exploration and utilisation. 🌠🚀 Download the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) https://lnkd.in/eKd5NrSz Image credit: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) #SpaceSustainability #InternationalCooperation #SpaceDebris #SustainableSpace #FutureOfSpace #LTSguidelines

Policy’s Impact on Space Sustainability 🚀 Space sustainability isn’t just influenced by technology and economics—it’s profoundly shaped by policy and law. 📜 While technological innovations are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space, policy gaps are hindering progress in crucial areas like debris management. For example, current space treaties lack modern provisions for addressing space debris, resulting in a fragmented approach where different nations and organizations have varying, sometimes unaligned, guidelines. This lack of a unified legal framework complicates global mitigation efforts. Additionally, outdated clauses in space laws, like the Outer Space Treaty’s (OST) national ownership and responsibility provisions, create legal roadblocks for debris removal and remediation efforts, slowing down initiatives that could clean up our orbits. However, policy can be dynamic and ever-changing. With the right reforms and new international agreements, we have the opportunity to overcome these challenges and ensure a sustainable future in space. 💬 What role do you think policy will play in shaping space sustainability — for better or worse? Share your thoughts in the comments! #SpaceLaw #SpaceSustainability #SpaceDebris #CleanOrbitFoundation

The pre-existing space policy regime and treaty structure are a strong and stable foundation for international interaction and cooperation in outer space. It is because of these treaties, and the laws based on them, that humanity has been able to peacefully use space for the past 50+ years. However, most of the major space treaties were drafted during the Space Race - and the concurrent Cold War. As such they, naturally, focus on the concerns and issues of those times. Compared to worries about states not taking responsibility for incidents that they or their nationals cause, space debris is a much newer problem. But current space law is not only a strong foundation for the peaceful use of outer space, it is also a strong foundation to build new policies and laws upon. Policies and laws that expand the current framework to better address the issues we face in space today.

A South-North Perspective on Space Policy Center for Strategic & International Studies 25 Jul 2024 35 West Space has long been colored by divides between the “haves” who possess the economic and technological wherewithal to make it to orbit and beyond, and the “have-nots” who lack these capabilities. This divide in turn has historically played out between the Global North and the Global South, with the latter grouping feeling as if they have been excluded from sharing in the benefits of space exploration. However, this is only part of the picture. As space becomes both increasingly critical and accessible, there is a need for a more nuanced understanding of how a broader set of global players view the issues surrounding these capabilities. In this episode, Ryan C. Berg sits down with Laura Delgado López, a Visiting Fellow with the CSIS Americas Program. Together, they discuss the evolving and divergent space policies that can be found throughout Latin America. They also unpack her new report Orbital Dynamics: The Domestic and Foreign Policy Forces Shaping Latin American Engagement in Space (https://lnkd.in/dQjYSFb8...) and some of the key findings from this yearlong investigation into regional perspectives on space policy and international engagement. 

The Outer Space Treaty Article IX calls on space actors to exercise ‘due regard’ for and to refrain from engaging in ‘harmful interference’ with the space activities of other actors in general and lunar activities in particular.  In a discussion on "Due Regard and Harmful Interference: The Yin and Yang of Space Activities" by the ABA Science & Technology Law Section, it was highlighted that due regard acts as a balancing mechanism between states with mutual interests and is a concept born of compromise. Current international standards do not address all concerns and require further development. If due regard were an international obligation, it would need to be governed and defined by a treaty. In its absence, sovereign states must determine what 'due regard' entails, with more specific and stringent legislation at the national level. By elaborating on specific laws or obligations, states can help shape international norms and create a framework for compliance. Relevant articles should exist to support the implementation of due regard, even if it is not clearly defined, and national mitigation guidelines should provide guidance of due regard in play. It was also suggested that continuous dialogue among space actors to establish standards is preferable, as due regard is context-specific to different activities. This requires a granular, fact-based approach. Rather than viewing due regard as a one-size-fits-all concept, focusing on its meaning in specific contexts like LEO, space debris, lunar activities, and space sustainability guidelines will lead to more meaningful progress with practical applications. Appreciation to the insightful panellists: Frans von der Dunk, Michelle L.D. Hanlon, Guoyu Wang and Jeremy Weinberg. #SpaceLaw #OuterSpaceTreaty #SpaceSustainability #SpaceDebris #LunarActivities #SpaceGovernance #SpaceSector

ISED in Canada came out with an important consultation this past week on space sustainability for satellite operators. #spacesustainability #ised

The FCC instituted a “5-year rule” to help reduce #spacejunk. Glad to see Canada is taking action as well. Our friends over at Orbotic Systems Inc are leading the way with affordable sustainably solutions to ensure safe deorbit at a end of life, to grab space debris and a new NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration funded space weather sensor to collect data in-situ (which can help #smallsats keep their station and extend mission life). Don’t miss out, Orbotics are raising on StartEngine. You can do some good and invest in a great space company! https://lnkd.in/etkmx2UN

I am thrilled to have finished this new course offered by UNODC on "Introduction to Space Economy". The course gave me a comprehensive understanding of the economic aspects of outer space activities. Topics covered include the legal framework of space economy, space debris mitigation, financing space projects, and the role of international organizations such as the United Nations in regulating space activities from an economic perspective.