International Institute of Space Law (IISL)

🔔 Register to the IISL Spring Space Law Symposium 2026 🌍 ✨

Organised by the IISL with the support of the Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Centre and Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), the IISL Spring Space Law Symposium 2026 will examine the extent to which the existing international legal framework governing outer space is capable of accommodating rapid technological and operational developments.

Across three panels co-moderated by Dr PJ Blount, Dr Dr Ioana Bratu and Dr Laetitia Cesari, the symposium will consider how emerging technologies, evolving uses of space, and increasing environmental pressures challenge foundational principles of space law, including jurisdiction, responsibility, and international cooperation.

Programme:

📅 10:30- 12:00 Panel 1: Emerging Technologies and Implications for Space Law
- Space Governance for Suborbital Flights: Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Nations, Beauler Wozhele and Lulu Makapela
- AI in the Cosmos: Toward an Adaptive Legal Framework for Space Governance, Yangzi Tao
- Life Science beyond Earth: Exploring the Legal Landscape in Outer Space Exploration, Marie-Claire de Bruijn, Chesler THOMAS, Emily McColville, and Sireesh PALLIKONDA
- A Comparative Study of Patent Infringement in Cyberspace and in Outer Space - Beyond the Limits of Territorial Jurisdiction, Hisako Moriguchi

📅 13:00-14:30 Panel 2: Reinterpreting Established Space Law Frameworks in Contemporary Contexts
- Registration in the 21st Century: Ensuring Adequate Registration Under The Existing Legal Regime, Gina Petrovici, Martin Reynders, and Lew Töpfer
- Implementation of The Outer Space Treaty Through Blockchain-based Systems, Krisztina Tilinger, Dr.
- Recommendations on Registering Space Objects Forming Part of a Satellite Constellation, Franziska Knur and Bernhard Schmidt-Tedd
- Remove before launch: Collisions between space activities regulated under the Outer Space Treaty and the Antarctic Treaty System, Victoria Fernanda Valdivia Cerda
The risk of replacing the consensus principle in space with alternative rule setting: a comparison of space mining with deep-sea mining, Scott Scoular

📅 14:30-16:00 Panel 3: Legal Dimensions of Space Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
- Space Sustainability as a Common Concern, Maria Elena de Maestri, Mario Barbano
- Questioning the International Legal Framework for a Responsible and Sustainable Space Tourism Activity, Caroline Thro
- Orbiting Odyssey: Analysing National and Regional Measures for Cleaning up Space Junk, Roshan Menon and Anmol Dhawan
- Addressing the Legal Gap of Responsibility of Non-State Actors for Space Pollution, Dr Matthew Gillett, Katja Grünfeld, and Iva Ramuš Cvetkovič

Register here:

IISL Spring Space Law Symposium Organised by the IISL with the support of the Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Centre and Durham University' Space Research Centre

How do we build a safer, more sustainable space environment as space activity accelerates?

Next week's IISL-ECSL 2026 Annual Space Law Symposium will bring together leading experts, practitioners and policymakers to tackle that question.

Organized by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and the European Centre for Space Law, and held on the margins of the COPUOS Legal Subcommittee meeting, this year’s symposium will focus on “Legal Approaches for a Safe Space Environment,” examining evolving legal frameworks, emerging risks and cooperative approaches to responsible space activities.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with distinguished speakers from international organizations, academia, and the space industry, fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors.

The event will be held in a hybrid format. You are welcome to join in person or online!

📅 Tuesday, 14 April 2026
🕒 15:00–18:00 CET
📍 Vienna International Centre, Boardroom C
💻 Online via MS Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/313327534191812?p=etD9WDTWWXu2N7Lm0z

📢 The Responses to Requests for Clarification for the 2026 IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition case, Inkaton v. Accadia, concerning Liability and Responsibility for Space Activities of Non-Governmental Corporate Actors are now available.

All participating teams should review these carefully, as they form part of the official case materials.
👉 Access the document here:https://iisl.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Responses-to-Requests-for-Clarification-1.pdf

Best of luck to all teams as preparations continue.

[IISL Members ]
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) is starting a new membership engagement format: an IISL Expert Intitiative.

We invite expressions of interest to join a new IISL venture: an IISL Expert Initiative on Article XI of the Outer Space Treaty (OST). The goal is to compile a contribution to the 2026 Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Legal Subcommittee’s (LSC) Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five UN Treaties on Outer Space (WG TRE), tailored to the WG’s work on Article XI OST.

IISL members are invited to join two meetings of the IISL Expert Initiative with the goal of drafting a Conference Room Paper (CRP) to be considered for submission to the forthcoming 65th LSC session in 2026.

The exercise is a call for expert contribution as well as a capacity building exercise.

Please see the Call below for more information on the venture and for details on how to express your interest.

We look forward to hearing from many of you.

You may find more information at:

New IISL venture: Call for Expert Initiative on Article XI OST – IISL – International Institute of Space Law Dear IISL Members, We are starting a new membership engagement format: an IISL Expert Intitiative. We invite expressions of interest to join a new IISL venture: an IISL Expert Initiative on Article XI of the Outer Space Treaty (OST). The goal is to compile a contribution to the 2026 Committee on the...

🚀 Call for Nominations – IISL Awards Season 2026 📢

The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) is pleased to open the 2026 Awards Season!

🌍 Each year, IISL recognises and celebrates outstanding contributions to the development and practice of space law, as well as dedicated service to the Institute and the broader space law community.

We invite nominations for the following award categories:
✨ Lifetime Achievement Award
🌟 Distinguished Service Award
👏 Award of Appreciation
📜 Certificate of Gratitude
🚀 Space Law Award for Young Achievers (for individuals below 40 years of age as of 31 March 2026)

📅 Deadline for nominations: Friday, 27 February 2026
📩 How to submit: Nominations must be submitted electronically by filling and emailing the official nomination form to [email protected]

🌌👉 Detailed eligibility criteria and nomination instructions are available on the IISL website, at

IISL Awards 2026 – IISL – International Institute of Space Law IISL honors exceptional contributions to space law at its Annual Awards Dinner during the annual IISL Colloquium, with accolades including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Distinguished Service Award, among others. Stay updated on our events and celebrate the achievements of distinguished professi...

[UPDATE]
The Asia-Pacific Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition has updated dates for the Oral Rounds and the International Conference on Space Law.
🗓 Updated Dates:
Oral Rounds: 10-12 April 2025
International Conference on Space Law: 13 April 2025

For more details on the calendar for the Asia-Pacific Regional Round, you may visit the official IISL website at: https://iisl.space/index.php/asia-pacific-manfred-lachs-space-law-moot-court-competition/

[CORRIGENDUM: Date on the picture should be - 14-15 May, 2025]
This year, the Latin American Regional Round will be hosted by Universidad Católica de Colombia in collaboration with the Space Network for Latin America and the Caribbean – ReLaCa. More information at: https://iisl.space/index.php/latin-america-manfred-lachs-space-law-moot-court-competition/

The winning team will have the incredible opportunity to compete in the World Finals, held as part of the IISL's annual Colloquium at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia.

🗓 Key Dates:
- October 2024 – Publication of the Case
- 28 February 2025 (Friday) – Deadline for Registration
- 11 April 2025 (Friday) – Memorials Due
- 14-15 May 2025 (Wednesday - Monday) – Regional In-Person Final Oral Round at Universidad Católica de Colombia, Bogota
- 15 May 2025 (Thursday) – Valedictory Ceremony & Prize Distribution at Universidad Católica de Colombia, Bogota

The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) announces the 15th Africa Regional Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, a competition that offers law students a platform to engage with contemporary space law issues.

🗓️ Key Dates:

- March 28, 2025: Deadline for submission of memorials for the Africa Region.

- May 22–23, 2025: Regional oral rounds, with judges convening at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and online.

- June 19, 2025: Deadline for submission of written memorials for the World Finals by regional winners.

The World Finals will be held during the 76th International Astronautical Congress, scheduled for September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Sydney, Australia.

Registration and further information at: https://iisl.space/index.php/mlmc-africa/