Spain – getting ready for the next steps in space exploration

This article analyses Spain's progress in developing a strategy for competitiveness in aerospace matters, such as the creation of a National Space Agency to represent Spain before the international community, the speed and urgency in the incorporation procedure of the Agency, drawing up its by-laws, as well as the drafting of a Law on Outer Space Activities, along the lines of its neighboring countries. We also describe the first steps taken by the Spanish Space Agency, including the adhesion to the Artemis Accords, and the main space initiatives carried out by the private space sector in Spain.

Released on Sep 14, 2023

Developing space law: Luxembourg’s regulatory framework model

In the field of international space law, where none of the United Nations’ space treaties create direct obligations for non-governmental entities, it is the responsibility of states to ensure that all national activities comply with the provisions of international law. Luxembourg's space legal framework is one of the most recent among countries actively involved in space policy.

Released on Sep 14, 2023

A brief outlook on the announced comprehensive national law regulating space activities in Italy

Italy – despite being counted among the countries with the largest presence in space, with a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem – does not yet have a comprehensive law to regulate national space activities, unlike other European countries.

Released on Sep 14, 2023

Brazil’s path towards a space-friendly regulation: advances on insurance for space launches on Brazilian territory

In the wake of new provisions for space activities in the Brazilian legal framework, national authorities enacted a third part of the Brazilian Space Regulation focused on insurance requirements for private companies that seek to promote space launch or re-entry activities from the Brazilian territory. This article aims to explore some of the features and conditions established by the Brazilian regulation amidst the expectations that it will further contribute to the development of the Brazilian space sector.

Released on Jan 23, 2023

Disputes over space mining on the horizon?

In November 2022, the Japanese Government authorised the private company iSpace to conduct commercial activities on the moon, including the extraction of regolith and its subsequent sale for profit to the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Released on Jan 18, 2023

Changing landscape of satellite communication laws in India

The Indian satellite communications sector is at a turning point in the wake of various developments set to eliminate the regulatory hurdles faced by the industry so far. In this article, we briefly discuss the various issues that have historically plagued the sector and the proposed measures adopted by the Indian government to address them.

Released on Dec 19, 2022

Brazilian liftoff: new space regulation and its impact on licensing and launching in Brazil

This article describes recent changes to the Brazilian normative framework regarding the development of space activities in the country, especially concerning legal standards on the operator’s licensing process and the launch authorisation in Brazilian territory.

Released on Dec 13, 2021

Aerospace exploration in Brazil: the Alcântara Space Center

This article explores recent measures adopted by Brazil to promote aerospace exploration through its launch base located in Alcântara. It also highlights the importance of the executed agreements to the development of Brazil’s air space programme.

Following the technology: questions relevant to the future regulation of space activities

The development of space-related technology has given rise to many new and exciting possibilities. It also raises a number of significant challenges for the ongoing governance of the exploration and use of outer space and, in particular, humankind’s interaction with, and dependency on space-related technology. This article highlights some of the major challenges and sets out important questions that must be considered in developing appropriate legal, regulatory and policy frameworks for future space activi