Course directory

DDRO 25A89 - Introduction to Outer Space Law

DDRO 25A89 · Spring semester 2025-2026

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours séminaire
Number of hours
24
Credits
5

Information

Description

Modern life is entirely dependent on space-based technologies to provide critical infrastructure for telecommunications, navigation, aviation, transport, banking, security and defence. The Outer Space Treaty (1967) provides all States with freedom of scientific investigation, exploration and use of outer space, while balancing those rights with obligations to support peace in this Global Commons. Study of this area of international law contributes to cooperation in space and international development.

This course examines contemporary issues in outer space at the the intersection of outer space law, telecommunications, science, security and defence. Students will learn how to navigate and apply the Outer Space Treaties to contemporary issues including rocket launches, scientific missions, satellite mega-constellations, space debris, rescue of astronauts, space tourism, electronic satellite warfare, the settlement of the Moon and Mars, and use of space resources. Students have the opportunity to develop and propose new regulation and policy in order to address burgeoning challenges. This equips students with the ability to advocate for change and support the global community in realising the benefits of space activities.

Students will develop an understanding of:

  • the geopolitical history of the space race
  • the international framework governing activities in outer space, including the Outer Space Treaty (1967), the astronaut Rescue Agreement, and allocation of radio frequencies and orbits by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
  • the application of principles in the Outer Space Treaties to real-life case studies
  • the political forces shaping EU and international space policy
  • the escalating risk to global peace and security in a space arms race

Prerequisites

This undergraduate course is designed for students with cross-discipline backgrounds in law, policy, European and international affairs. While there are no pre-requisites, understanding of the basic foundations of international law is beneficial.

Teaching format

1 hour lecture followed by 1 hour workshop applying the Outer Space Treaties to that week’s topic

Assessment

Mid-semester examination (40% or 8 points on 20-point scale)

In-class exam in week 7 assessing foundational principles of outer space law, and case studies. 90min. Students are only permitted a copy of the Outer Space Treaty and their personal matrix during exam conditions.

Final examination (60% or 12 points

In-class exam in week 12 relating to case studies and an essay question. 100min. Students are only permitted a copy of the Outer Space Treaty and their personal matrix during exam conditions.

Attendance is mandatory. Only medically-excused absences are allowed.

Participation: students are expected to actively participate in class and should anticipate questions from the lecturer. Active debate is encouraged during the workshop hour of the seminar. This necessarily requires the completion of readings prior to class.

Workload

Substantial

Readings

Main readings 4

  1. Hardin, G (1968) “The Tragedy of the Commons” Science, Vol. 162 (3859), 1243 and Hardin, G. (1998). Extensions of “The Tragedy of the Commons”. Science, 280(5364), 682–683. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.280.5364.682

  2. Hobe, S., Schmidt-Tedd, B. & Schrogl, K. (2009) Cologne Commentary on Space Law, Vol. 1 Outer Space Treaty, Carl Heymanns Verlag and Vol. 2 Outer Space Treaties (reference text)

    Read online

  3. International Space Law: United Nations Instruments (2017 UN Publication) (Mandatory) inc. The Outer Space Treaty 1967, free download at UNOOSA in official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish: https://www.unoosa.org/res/oosadoc/data/documents/2017/stspace/stspace61rev_2_0_html/V1605998-ENGLISH.pdf

  4. Lyall, F & Larsen, P (2018) Space Law: a Treatise, Routledge 2nd Edition or Masson-Zwaan, T & Hofmann, M (2019) Introduction to Space Law, 4th Edition, Wolters Kluwer

    Read online

Further readings 22

  1. Aganaba Jeanty, T. (2016). Space sustainability and the freedom of outer space. Astropolitics, 14(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2016.1148463

  2. Baranyi, T. and Stepper, P. (2019) NATO in the 21st Century: a Central European Perspective. Antall Jozsef Knowledge Centre, Budapest.

  3. Berkman, P., et al. (2011). President Eisenhower, the Antarctic treaty, and the origin of international spaces. In P. Berkman, M. Lang, & D. Walton (Eds.), Science diplomacy – Antarctica, science, and the governance of international spaces (p. 17, 19). Smithsonian Institute. https://doi.org/10. 5479/si.9781935623069.17

  4. Boley, A., & Byers, M. (2021). Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth. Scientific Reports, 11, 10642. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021- 89909-7

    Read online

  5. Byers, M. (2019). Cold, dark, and dangerous: International cooperation in the arctic and space. Polar Record, 55, 32–47. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247419000160

  6. Cheek, T., Ownby, D. and Fogel, J (2020) Voices from the Chinese Century: Public International Debate from Contemporary China. Columbia University Press

    Read online

  7. Goehring, J. (2021). Why isn’t outer space a global commons? Journal of National Security Law & Policy, 11, 573. https://jnslp.com/2021/06/03/why-isnt-outer-space-a-global-commons/

  8. Hickman, J. (2019). International relations and the second space race between the United States and China. Astropolitics, 17(3), 178–190: https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2019.1672507

    Read online

  9. Hilborne, M. (2013). China’s rise in space and US policy responses: A collision course? Space Policy, 29(2013), 121–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2013.03.005

  10. Hobe, S. ed. (2016) Air Law, Space Law, Cyber Law – the Institute of Air and Space Law at Age 90, Carl Heymanns Verlag

    Borrow

  11. Holden, K (2022) “The Ukraine War Is Remaking Global Space Cooperation” The Diplomat, 14 July 2022: https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/the-ukraine- war-is-remaking-global-space-cooperation/

  12. Hughes, C. and Meng, LY. eds (2011) Security Studies: a Reader. Routledge

    Borrow

  13. Journal articles relevant to each week’s syllabus will be posted on the website with DOI links

  14. Millwood, S (2023) The Urgent Need for Regulation of Satellite Mega-Constellations, Springer https://link.springer.com/book/9783031192500

    Read online

  15. Millwood, S. (2018). ‘A Very Famous Payload’: The launch of a Car into Orbit around the Sun offers an opportunity to reconsider the International Framework for the prevention of harmful contamination of outer space. Air and Space Law, 43(6), 521–542. https://doi.org/10.54648/aila2018035

  16. Mozur, P. and Satariano, A (2024) “Russia, in New Push, Increasingly Disrupts Ukraine’s Starlink Service” New York Times 24 May 2024: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/24/technology/ukraine-russia-starlink.html

  17. Rüffin, N. (2020). EU science diplomacy in a contested space of multi-level governance: ambitions, constraints and options for action. Research Policy, 49, 103482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103842

    Read online

  18. Sayle, T. (2019) Enduring Alliance: a history of NATO and the postwar global order. Cornell University

    Read online

  19. Schwartz, J. (2000). “Fairness as a moral grounding for Space Policy”. In C. Cockell (Ed.), The meaning of liberty beyond earth (p. 69). Springer

  20. Secure World Foundation Panel discussion: 10 Years of the Wolf Amendment: Assessing Effects and Outcomes 9 December 2021: https://swfound.org/events/2021/10-years-of-the-wolf-amendment-assessing-effects-and-outcomes

    Read online

  21. von der Dunk, F. (2018). Private property rights and the public interest in exploration of outer space. Biological Theory, 13, 142–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13752-017-0271-9

    Read online

  22. Weinersmith K. and Z. (2024) A City on Mars: can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through? Particular Books / Penguin Books

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
59102Cours séminaire Introduction to Outer Space Law Scott MILLWOOD245

Teachers

  • Scott MILLWOOD

In the curricula

Contacts and resources

Contact
KERROUCHI Karima