Category Archives: Space Law

Tuesday / 26 November 2024

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Multiple Events in Luxembourg, Include Moon Focus

Luxembourg, home of ISRU legal framework, hosts Moon Village Association (MVA) 8th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium 2-3 Dec co-hosted by Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), MVA major annual forum for new ideas / progress reports about Moon exploration / utilization, lunar governance / industrialization / infrastructure / technologies; LSA also sponsors Luxembourg Space Week 2-5 Dec with NewSpace Europe 3 Dec for networking among start-ups / agencies / investors, IRG First European Interstellar Symposium 2-5 Dec featuring Pete Worden, ESA Space for Inspiration 4-5 Dec with Day 2 main session on Moon economy / logistics / communication / navigation

Credits: European Convention Center, Moon Village Association, Luxembourg Space Agency, Interstellar Research Group, European Space Agency

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 17-20 May 2024

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In Peace for All?

As USA, China, and India advance toward declared human Moon landings, cooperative models of interaction based on existing international agreements regarding Antarctica and the High Seas may inform lunar activities; Antarctic Treaty (1959) proscribes aggression under Article 1, ‘Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only’ as does Convention on the High Seas (1958), Article 88, ‘The high seas shall be reserved for peaceful purposes’, sentiments which should serve as conceptual guidance for Moon agreements under consideration by UNOOSA / UN COPUOS, Artemis Accords, ILRS, NASA OTPS, ILOA, MVA and other stakeholders

 
Credits: NASA, UN

Tuesday / 26 Sep 2023

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NASA Team Suggests Framework for Consideration of Space Exploration Ethics in Artemis Era

Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) report Artemis, Ethics and Society: Synthesis from a Workshop complies perspectives from 55 participants who gathered at NASA HQ to develop framework for moral evaluation of space exploration within the context of Artemis program and Artemis Accords, which proclaims ‘benefit for all humankind’, echoing Outer Space Treaty, National Aeronautics and Space Act, Moon Agreement; ~140 ethical / social issues deliberated under categories including definitions, decision-making, cultural values, sharing, environment, policy, and colonialism; OTPS to utilize proceedings to conduct internal study on key policy implications and open conversation to international partners

Pictured: Zachary Pirtle, Katherine McBrayer, Alyse Beauchemin of OTPS; Credits: NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 13-16 Jan 2023

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As ispace Progresses Towards Moon, Significance of Planned First Lunar Mining Transaction Grows

Hakuto-R lander currently ~1,340,000km from Earth while ispace Mission Control working to execute series of deep space control maneuvers by late March in preparation for orbital insertion and first commercial soft landing in Atlas Crater (47.5°N, 44.4°E) NET late April; In addition to gathering environmental data and demonstrating various technologies, Hakuto-R Mission 1 to set precedent on commercial resource extraction by gathering regolith for sale to NASA under US$5,000 contract; Transaction sanctioned under US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015, Japan Space Resources Act of 2021

Credits: ispace, MBRSC

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 18-21 Nov 2022

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Cislunar R&D: Antarctica Peace Treaty May Serve as Model for International Cislunar Activity

Peaceful use norms regulated by Antarctic Treaty Secretariat in Buenos Aires, Argentina may be useful example as Cislunar Technology Strategy Interagency Working Group of USA OSTP predicts human activity in cislunar space over coming decade ≥ all previous since 1957, issues 4 main guidelines in National Cislunar S&T Strategy: support for long-term growth, international cooperation, space situational awareness and comms / PNT; JHAPL issues advice for Cislunar Security; AFRL Cislunar Highway Patrol Satellite now ‘Oracle’ to be operated by Advanced Space near Earth-Moon L1 under US$72M contract

Pictured: (Clockwise) OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar, Assistant Director Matthew Daniels, Policy Fellow Kathrine Bretl, Acting Executive Director Kei Koizumi; Credits: OSTP, NASA, LinkedIn, Antarctic Treaty Secretariat

Tuesday / 18 Oct 2022

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Moon Village Association and Beyond Earth Institute Advance Lunar Sustainability and Habitation

MVA Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) meeting for 21st time on 19 October to formulate recommendations on sustainable governmental and independent Moon exploration best practices to be presented to United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space; Meeting will conclude ‘Consensus Phase’, with ‘Harmonization Phase’ to follow for next 2 meetings (16 Nov, 21 Dec); Beyond Earth Institute also promotes guidelines for political, economic and environomental sustainability in paper Toward A Cislunar Ecosystem With Human Presence: The Underpinning For Permanent Lunar Communities

Credits: MVA, BEI

Friday / 9 Sept 2022

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National Space Council, Chaired by VP Kamala Harris, Convening at Johnson Space Center

Modernization of “outdated” commercial space regulation to be discussed at 2nd Biden-Harris administration meeting of the National Space Council 9 Sep, in furtherance of United States Space Priorities Framework; VP Harris was on-site for 1st Artemis launch attempt at KSC 29 Aug, declaring the “return on an investment… being able to put human beings on the Moon where they can work and live — it’s going to be immense”, while assuring public “our commitment to the Artemis Program remains firm” via Twitter; NSC meeting to include tour of JSC facilities

Pictured: VP Harris, Astronauts Shannon Walker, Joe Acaba; Credits: NASA, White House

Friday / 6 May 2022

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Canada Celebrates Space / Moon with AstroFest in Montreal While Parliament Advances Cislunar Law

Astronaut David Saint-Jacques to speak on future of Canada Moon exploration activities as first Artemis program partner at Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, part of Space For Life Museum in Montreal 7 May; Canada to contribute Canadarm3 to Lunar Gateway, send Astronaut on Artemis 2 Moon orbit mission NET 2024; Lawmakers in Ottawa include language extending Canada legal jurisdiction to / from Gateway and lunar surface for both Canada citizenry and those of ‘Partner States’ in House of Commons bill

Credits: CSA-ASC, Ecosystem, Space For Life

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 3-6 Dec 2021

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Artemis Features Prominently in Revamped Space Policy, NASA Administrators Evaluate Progress in Huntsville & Order New SLS SRBs

NASA Deputy Administrator Melroy declares “We are so ready for Artemis” during MSFC facility tour with Administrator Nelson, days prior to first meeting of revamped National Space Council led by VP Harris 1 Dec with focus on climate change mitigation, space conduct standards, STEM education; Space Priorities Framework specifies “landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon, advancing a robust cislunar ecosystem” as official goals of Biden administration; Northrop Grumman to build composite solid rocket boosters for Artemis 4-9 under US$3.19B / 10-year contract

Credits: NASA, Boeing

Tuesday / 19 October 2021

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Explorers Club Examines Perennial Question “Who Owns the Moon?” as Independent Missions Near

Lunar property rights are subject of Explorers Club panel on Youtube and Facebook 18 Oct at 1900 EDT; Pioneering commercial spaceflight participant (L-R) Richard Garriott leads venerable group, founded in 1904 to further exploration and scientific pursuits; Panel includes Aeronautical Engineer Moriba Jah of University of Texas at Austin and attorneys Kristin Larson (bringing Antarctica background to discussion), Charlies Norchi and David Concannon; Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of 1987 likely starting points

Credits: Explorers Club, NASA