The International Space Law & Governance (ISLG)  course is jointly organised by ASLI and the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL). This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks and governance structures applicable to global space activities, examined through global priorities and perspectives from the emerging space nations. Participants explore the formation and implementation of international space law and national space legislation as well as regional approaches in establishing law and governance of space activities. Case studies draw from the unique challenges and opportunities facing Africa, Latin America and South Asia in effectively regulating and supporting space activities amidst evolving relationship between established and emerging space actors within the global space eco-system.

Course objectives

• Gain a solid foundation in the principles, concepts, and sources of space law, including international treaties, agreements, and customary practices.

• Understand the international treaties and agreements relevant to space law.

• Explore the legal aspects surrounding the use of space applications and technology, including satellite communications, remote sensing, and navigation systems.

• Examine the legal frameworks and measures to ensure the security and safety of space activities, including space debris mitigation, space situational awareness, and cybersecurity.

• Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks governing commercial space activities, including licensing, liability, and intellectual property rights.

• Gain insights into the mechanisms for resolving disputes related to space activities, including arbitration, mediation, and the role of international courts.

• Understand the legal challenges and opportunities arising from emerging trends in space law, such as activities of NewSpace, space tourism, asteroid mining, and the use of space resources.

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Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Synthesize public international law (including treaties and customary principles) discussed in the classes and identify law applicable to space activities. 
• Understand how the legal frameworks, policies, and practices governing space activities are applied.
• Apply acquired knowledge to resolve problems and challenges related to the conduct of space activities.
• Apply acquired knowledge to navigate the complex legal landscape of space law and contribute to the development and implementation of effective space governance.

Who should attend?

• Government officials
• Public servants
• Members of Parliament
• Policy and legal practitioners
• Organisation/Team Leads
• Young professionals
• Students

Benefits of participation

• Gain knowledge in international space law, regulations, governance and norms
• Access course materials and latest documents on space law
• Be thought by leading experts in space law and governance field
• Earn a certificate in Space Law and Governance jointly issued by ASLI and McGill IASL
• Become part of the ASLI and McGill Network

Curriculum

The course consists of 12 modules with 2 live lectures per week.

1. General Principles and foundations of International Space Law

Introduces the basic concepts of international law, the history of space activities, the fundamental concepts applicable to outer space, together with the political economy of space activities and current developments in the field. It also covers the importance of international law (specifically international space law) in regulating activities of states. Introduces the overall framework of international law governing outer space activities and the fundamental legal and general principles applied in space activities. Participants examine the space law-making process; the space law treaties, declarations and customary international law (“soft law”) as sources of space law; the relationship between global space policies and space law.

2. Responsibility and Liability for Outer Space Activities

Examines the international legal regime of responsibility and liability for space activities as established by the space treaties. Participants study Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty, which makes States internationally responsible for national space activities — including those of non-governmental entities — and requires their authorisation and continuing supervision; and Article VII, which makes the launching State internationally liable for damage. These are examined together with the 1972 Liability Convention, which sets out the fault-based and absolute liability standards and the claims procedure, and the 1975 Registration Convention. The session then considers the practical implications of these treaty obligations for licensing, insurance and the allocation of risk in a commercial and increasingly congested orbital environment.

3. Space Resources governance

Addresses the emerging international and national legal and regulatory framework governing space resources, including their exploration, extraction, ownership, and use. The module examines scientific and commercial resource activities, in-situ resource utilisation, private-sector participation, and the role of space resources in supporting sustained human presence and settlement in outer space. It also considers key issues of international coordination, sustainability, benefit-sharing, and compliance with existing space law principles.

4. Safety and Security in Outer Space

Provides a clear overview of the legal frameworks that safeguard the security and safety of outer space activities, structured around four subtopics that can be covered in a three-hour session: (1) space debris mitigation; (2) space situational awareness; (3) the cybersecurity of space systems; and (4) the military uses of outer space. By the end of the session, participants will understand the principal rules and mechanisms applicable to each area and how they operate to preserve the integrity of outer space and the safety of the Earth.

5. Law and Regulation of Earth Observation and Remote Sensing

Covers the law relating to earth observation, remote sensing, geographic information systems, satellite meteorology and global climate activities. Participants explore the global, regional, multilateral and bilateral agreements that specifically address earth observation and remote sensing including sources of data, the conditions and prerequisites for access to data, and the use of data derived from those activities drawing on contemporary case study of national reform efforts such as the review of Canada’s remote-sensing legislation.

6. Law and Regulation of Astronomy

Examines the intersection of astronomy and space law, exploring the legal frameworks that govern the conduct of astronomy including the roles, rights and responsibilities of States, international organisations and private entities, and the role of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). It considers how international and domestic law guide the conduct of astronomy and respond to the implications of technological advances for the future of astronomy.

7. Law and Regulation of Satellite Communications and Connectivity

Focuses on satellite communications and the legal framework governing satellite-related activities. Participants explore the structure and functions of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in coordinating radio frequencies, geo-orbital slots and other orbits, and examine the role and functions of other international and regional satellite organisations, particularly the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) and the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM).

8. Law and Regulation of Navigation and Positioning

Addresses the governance of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), with a deliberate emphasis on the international dimension. It covers the work of the International Committee on GNSS (ICG) including its most recent meeting and the new Working Group on Lunar PNT alongside the African governance landscape: the regional augmentation system being developed with institutions like ASECNA, and the African Union’s proposed African navigation programme and its institutional structure.

9. The Africa Space program and National Space Laws of Africa 

Provides an in-depth examination of the African Space Program and the space activities and programmes conducted by nations and entities in Africa. Participants will examine case studies and experiences in conducting and regulating space projects on the continent including the function and operations of African Space Agency, its statute and strategy, and the programme’s priority areas (earth observation, satellite communication, navigation and astronomy) and the interplay between the African Space Agency and national space agencies. It then turns to national space law-making, examining the approaches and perspectives reflected in the national space laws and policies of African countries. 

10. National Space Laws of Latin America  

Surveys the regulation of space activities across Latin America, identifying the regional instruments and cooperation mechanisms that shape the landscape before examining selected national frameworks in detail, including how States approach licensing, supervision and the implementation of their international obligations.

11. National Space Laws of Asia

Surveys the regulation of space activities across the Asia, including the regional cooperation arrangements that several States have developed, before examining selected national space laws in detail and the diversity of regulatory approaches across the region.

12. International institutions and Organisations in governance of outer space

Examines the roles, mandates, and activities of key intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations involved in global space governance, including United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, International Telecommunication Union, and regional space agencies. The module considers their contributions to the development of international space law and policy, capacity-building, international cooperation, spectrum and orbital resource management, and the implementation and coordination of access to and use of outer space.

13. Financing and Insurance of Space Assets

Provides a comprehensive overview of the legal framework governing financing mechanisms for space projects including public-private partnerships, venture capital funding and government grants and the international law relating to the financing of space activities, space assets and space technology. Particular emphasis is placed on the UNIDROIT Space Protocol and the registration and securing of interests in space objects framed expressly around the Cape Town Convention and its Protocol on matters specific to space assets, reflecting the growing relevance of these instruments to the financing of space programmes of emerging space nations.

14. Dispute Resolution for Space Activities

Examines the structures and mechanisms for resolving disputes related to space activities, including the principles of dispute settlement in international space law, the role of international organisations, arbitration and mediation processes, and the enforcement of space law agreements. Participants examine case studies of past disputes, analyse their legal implications and outcomes, and through a class exercise develop practical considerations for resolving disputes relating to outer space activities.

Facilitators

• Prof. Ram Jakhu (Professor Emeritus, McGill Institute for Air and Space Law)
• Dr. Arnold Agaba (Chair, African Air and Space Law Research Group, McGill Institute for Air and Space Law)
• Mr. Gilles Doucet (Spectrum Space Security Inc.)
• Dr. Olavo Bittencourt Neto (Catholic University of Santos, Brazil)
• Dr. Adrian Tiplady (Deputy Managing Director, South African Radio Astronomical Observatory)
• Dr. Aram Kerkonian (Deputy Director, Global Affairs, Canada)
• Ian Grosner (Brazilian Space Agency)
• Dr. Upasana Dasgupta (O.P. Jindal Global University, India)
• Prof. Anél Ferreira-Snyman (University of South Africa, South Africa)
• Dr. Aicha Oumarou (Satnav Africa Joint Programme Office, Dakar, Senegal)
• Etim Offiong (Co-founder, African Space Leadership Institute)

Venue
All course activities (such as live lectures, group discussions and assignments) will be done virtually using the Ediify Learning Management System (LMS).

Time of live lectures
12-3pm GMT on Thursdays and Fridays, each week

For more information, please contact: info@aslispace.org or africa.iasl@mcgill.ca