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Publications, Engagements & Contributions

The interdisciplinary conference “Who leads the way in the new era of space? The new actors of international space law”, held on May 15–16, 2024, was organized by the Luxembourg Centre for European Law (LCEL) at the University of Luxembourg, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, UNIVERSEH, and SES Satellites. It explored the evolution of international space law through the lens of its various actors.

The first day focused on the role of States and international organizations in shaping space law. Experts such as Professor Timiebi U. Aganaba (Arizona State University) examined the strengths and weaknesses of the current normative system, while Dr. PJ Blount (Cardiff University) discussed the influence of the United States on the development of traditional space law.

The second day shifted attention to non-state actors and emerging legal challenges. Discussions addressed the licensing of private entities, the interaction between national and international frameworks, and State responsibility for private space activities. Speakers included Professor Setsuko Aoki (Keio University) and Dr. Randi Ayman (University of Luxembourg). The final session focused on private investment in space, with particular attention to legal instruments for investment protection and innovations such as blockchain-based investments, presented by Dr. Güneş Ünüvar and Mr. Harry Lars Ghillemyn.

The conference emphasized the need to adapt the international legal framework to the contemporary realities of a rapidly evolving space sector.

As part of the 61st session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of COPUOS in Vienna, two meetings of the Space and Global Health Network (SGHN) were organized on February 5 and 6, 2024, by UNOOSA. The main objective was to review activities conducted in 2023, finalize the work program for 2024, and strengthen links between the space sector and global health.

On February 5, the meeting focused on presenting the annual report, evaluating the results achieved, and developing an activity program. Significant time was devoted to discussing the creation of an original and high-quality curriculum on space and global health, in line with recommendations from joint UN/WHO conferences.

On February 6, discussions continued on planning activities for 2024, with particular emphasis on technical and organizational interoperability challenges to better integrate space technologies into health systems. The results of the two days will be officially presented to the STSC by the SGHN coordinator.

The parallel sessions of the event, held on January 18 and 19, explored key themes related to the emerging space economy. On the first day, discussions focused on major trends in the space market, manufacturing and services in orbit, the growing demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) and lunar markets, as well as the commercialization and globalization of lunar exploration. On the second day, exchanges covered autonomous platforms in LEO, lunar communication and navigation infrastructures, biomedical applications derived from microgravity production, and the use of in-situ resources to support a sustainable presence on the Moon.

The first edition of the ECSECO Space Economy Days took place on January 16 and 17, 2024, at the ESA headquarters in Paris, in a hybrid format and reserved for members. The event brought together international experts to explore the definition and measurement of the space economy. The first day covered global approaches (OECD, Euroconsult, Bryce), national (UKSA, CSA), and sectoral (EARSC) economic assessment methods, followed by a networking session. The second day continued with contributions from EUSPA and ESPI on markets and private investments, before broadening the discussion to the economic impacts of space through studies by London Economics and a presentation by know.space on data use by decision-makers. The event concluded with a presentation by ESA and a networking lunch.

The second International Orbital Debris Conference (IOC II) was held from December 4 to 7, 2023, in Sugar Land, Texas, bringing together approximately 250 participants from 14 countries, including representatives from space agencies such as NASA, ESA, ISRO, JAXA, and CNES. The main objective of this conference was to promote research on orbital debris and strengthen international collaboration in this field.

Discussions covered four main areas: measurements (radar, optical, in situ, laboratory), modeling (engineering, long-term environment, short-term risk assessments, atmospheric reentry), operations and mission support (hypervelocity impacts and protection, satellite anomalies, conjunction assessments), and space environment management (mitigation, remediation, space traffic coordination, policies).

More than 120 technical papers were presented, addressing topics such as risks posed by small untracked debris, ESA’s activities in space safety, ISRO’s initiatives on space situational awareness, and future perspectives on the orbital debris issue.

Among the highlights, NASA shared recent data from the Goldstone radar, capable of detecting debris about 2 mm in size, and provided updates on post-flight inspections of SpaceX’s Dragon vehicles. Additionally, the ISS performed an avoidance maneuver on November 10, 2023, to dodge debris from an SL-16 rocket stage, marking the 38th such maneuver since 1999.

The 2023 ECSECO General Assembly was held on November 9 in Vienna, bringing together members and institutional speakers for a day of exchanges and strategic decisions. After a morning welcome and an official opening attended by representatives from ESA, ESPI, Politecnico di Bari, and FFG, the morning featured a presentation on the Austrian space sector. Members then reviewed reports on the Centre’s past activities, such as online networking sessions, the spring school dedicated to start-ups, coordination of the handbook on the new space economy, and the “Commercialization Space Days.” The afternoon was devoted to the election of the board of directors, approval of membership fees, and an open discussion with members, concluding with presentations of upcoming projects and final remarks from ESA.