Space Law
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
- Basic knowledges and understanding of the international "corpus iuris spatialis".
- Analysis of the recent legislative proposals on space law made at national (Luxembourg; USA; UAE) and international level.
- Understanding of the role of International Organizations in the evolution of space law.
- Ability to assess the legal issues raised by the "space industry" in the relationship among States, and States and private individuals, or among private parties.
- Basic skills to assess whether European private international law provisions are apt to be applied to relationships having civil and commercial naturing involving the space industry.
- Basic skills to understand and identify the most appropriate means to ensure the integration of "space industry" development and sustainable development.
- Autonomy of judgement on the consequences that the development of the space industry has and may have on legal relationship between States and private individuals.
- Communication skills and the ability to argue one's way through the subject with logical-legal rigour and propriety of language.
- Learning ability, understood as ability to reflect on the historical and evolutionary profiles of public and private international law applied to the space industry.
- Analysis of the recent legislative proposals on space law made at national (Luxembourg; USA; UAE) and international level.
- Understanding of the role of International Organizations in the evolution of space law.
- Ability to assess the legal issues raised by the "space industry" in the relationship among States, and States and private individuals, or among private parties.
- Basic skills to assess whether European private international law provisions are apt to be applied to relationships having civil and commercial naturing involving the space industry.
- Basic skills to understand and identify the most appropriate means to ensure the integration of "space industry" development and sustainable development.
- Autonomy of judgement on the consequences that the development of the space industry has and may have on legal relationship between States and private individuals.
- Communication skills and the ability to argue one's way through the subject with logical-legal rigour and propriety of language.
- Learning ability, understood as ability to reflect on the historical and evolutionary profiles of public and private international law applied to the space industry.
Expected learning outcomes
Students who have successfully mastered the course:
I) will have acquired the basic knowledges of international space law as well as the ability to frame the legal problems raised by the 'space industry';
II) will be able to grasp the main legal issues having either a public or private nature that the development of the "space industry" raises in relationship among States, and among States and private parties;
III) will have attained a knowledge of the sector suitable for examining with awareness and judgement the most recent legislative initiatives enacted at national (Luxembourg; USA; UEA) and supranational level
IV) will have acquired skills to grasp the - currently - difficult relationship between the "space industry development" and sustainable development (focus on environmental protection).
I) will have acquired the basic knowledges of international space law as well as the ability to frame the legal problems raised by the 'space industry';
II) will be able to grasp the main legal issues having either a public or private nature that the development of the "space industry" raises in relationship among States, and among States and private parties;
III) will have attained a knowledge of the sector suitable for examining with awareness and judgement the most recent legislative initiatives enacted at national (Luxembourg; USA; UEA) and supranational level
IV) will have acquired skills to grasp the - currently - difficult relationship between the "space industry development" and sustainable development (focus on environmental protection).
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Space law is not new. On the contrary, the 'corpus iuris spatialis' dates back to the middle of the last century, the so-called 'moon race' era. Since then, interest in space and what inhabits it has declined drastically until the present day when, conversely, an opposite trend has been observed. The impressive technological development has in fact reinvigorated interest in space missions for both research and commercial purposes, involving (and distorting) both relations among states, and among states and private operators; this latter are in fact playing a leading role within space industry. And this change inevitably also has consequences also within the legal sector.
Given these premises, the course aims to provide an introductory understanding of the legal issues raised by the recent development of the 'space industry'.
After an introduction to general and technical concepts (what is meant by space, space objects and space activities), the course will analyze the current international legal framework, and the most recent regulatory proposals adopted at national level (see Luxemburg, USA; United Arab Emirates).
The main question is whether and to what extent the traditional legal sourcs of space law are suitable for addressing the most current legal issues, or whether and how they should be adapted.
Legal issues of public international law and private international law will be addressed.
Finally, some concluding remarks will be drawn on the relationship between the 'space industry' and sustainable development. In the next few years, space activities will increase in number and volume; accordingly, in this wave of deep change, which include regulatory activity, it is crucial to establish standards to minimize the environmental impact of large-scale space operations, while promoting intergenerational equity and the "responsible" use of "resources". This requires a comprehensive approach encompassing environmental, social and economic factors, as well as the importance of international cooperation and coordination.
The course focuses on:
- "Corpus iuris spatialis".
- Spatial activities: recent trends from private operators and public Institutions.
- Qualification of i.a.: space, space resources, space objects.
- National legislation (see Luxembourg; UAE; USA).
- Space activities and private international law issues (forum and applicable law).
- Space industry and sustainable development: how to integrate them.
Given these premises, the course aims to provide an introductory understanding of the legal issues raised by the recent development of the 'space industry'.
After an introduction to general and technical concepts (what is meant by space, space objects and space activities), the course will analyze the current international legal framework, and the most recent regulatory proposals adopted at national level (see Luxemburg, USA; United Arab Emirates).
The main question is whether and to what extent the traditional legal sourcs of space law are suitable for addressing the most current legal issues, or whether and how they should be adapted.
Legal issues of public international law and private international law will be addressed.
Finally, some concluding remarks will be drawn on the relationship between the 'space industry' and sustainable development. In the next few years, space activities will increase in number and volume; accordingly, in this wave of deep change, which include regulatory activity, it is crucial to establish standards to minimize the environmental impact of large-scale space operations, while promoting intergenerational equity and the "responsible" use of "resources". This requires a comprehensive approach encompassing environmental, social and economic factors, as well as the importance of international cooperation and coordination.
The course focuses on:
- "Corpus iuris spatialis".
- Spatial activities: recent trends from private operators and public Institutions.
- Qualification of i.a.: space, space resources, space objects.
- National legislation (see Luxembourg; UAE; USA).
- Space activities and private international law issues (forum and applicable law).
- Space industry and sustainable development: how to integrate them.
Prerequisites for admission
International law (basic knowledge)
Teaching methods
The course will combine between lectures and Class active involvement of the Class. An expert in the field, namely and Aerospace Engineer, will be invited to give a seminal lecture, so as to ensure understanding of the more technical issues, functional to better frame the legal issues.
Teaching Resources
1. Textbook: Advanced introduction to Space Law, F.G. von dear Dunk, Elgar 2020.
2. Specialized, and in-depth readings will be noted in the Syllabus and made available on the ARIEL platform (if not freely available online).
2. Specialized, and in-depth readings will be noted in the Syllabus and made available on the ARIEL platform (if not freely available online).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final written exam. Object: case study solving.
The final grade will be based on the following criteria:
- written exam degree 80%
- Class'active involvement 20%
The final grade will be based on the following criteria:
- written exam degree 80%
- Class'active involvement 20%
IUS/13 - INTERNATIONAL LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Cappiello Benedetta Allegra Roberta
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 10-12 ; by appointment
Department of Italian and Supranational Law _ Room next to the Library'main entrance