Projects
- Teaching Space Law
- Conferences on Space Law
- Publications
- Cooperation with other Institutiones
- Cooperation with ECSL and other NPOCs
The Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition
The ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy
The ECSL practitioners’ forum
1. Teaching space law
Space law traditionally forms part of the general course of public international law which is a compulsory subject at Austrian law faculties. However, due to time constraints usually rather rudimentary insights can only be provided in the main curriculum. The teaching of space law, therefore, has found its proper place as an optional subject within the law curriculum in the master study of law (Mag. Iur.) in Austria.
At the University of Vienna, there are two fields of specialisation where space law is accredited in the final diploma: first, the law of international relations and, second, technology law. Since 2007, Professor Marboe has been offering a course on space law entitled "Legal issues of the use of outer space technologies". This course, counting for 1 semester hour or 2 ECTS has taken place every second semester, usually in the winter term. The course has been organised as a block course consisting of an introductory part in October and a main part in January. As it is held in English it has usually been very attractive for foreign exchange students, be it in the framework of Erasmus or other programmes, such as with Australian universities. In 2009/2010, for the first time two courses will be offered: "General legal issues of the use of outer space technologies" and "Special legal issues of the use of outer space technologies". Each of the two courses will count for 1 semester hour or 2 ECTS credits. They will take place in the winter term. See further
At the University of Graz, Professor Brünner is offering a seminar on space law entitled "Weltraumrecht". This seminar is offered every winter semester. See further University of Graz.
2. Conferences on Space Law
An important part of the work of the NPOC Austria has always been the organisation of conferences on topics of space law. In 2005, Professor Brünner organised a conference in Graz entitled “Raumfahrt und Recht – Faszination Weltraum – Regeln zwischen Himmel und Erde” where renowned experts on space science and space law have participated. The only Austrian astronaut so far, Mister Franz Viehböck, for example, has participated in this conference.
In 2006, Professor Brünner organised a conference on “National Space Legislation in Europe – Challenges for Small Countries” where international renowned experts on space law and policy made insightful presentations. Among them where Niklas Hedman, the later chief of the Science and Research Section of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, as well as the internationally respected space law experts, as Professor Frans van der Dunk and Professor Mahulena Hoffmann.
In June 2009, the official inauguration of the NPOC Austria in Vienna will be celebrated by a public conference entitled "Perspectives of Space Exploration and the Role of the United Nations". Representatives of a number of large space faring nations will present aims and intentions in space exploration. A representative of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs in Vienna will complement this picture by an analysis of the role of the United Nations in this context.
Later in 2009, a conference shall be held on the issue of legal framework of space activities in Austria as the launch of the first Austrian satellite(s) in 2010 is approaching.
3. Publications
The conferences organised are usually documented in separate publications or in articles in scientific journals. The two conferences organised by Professor Brünner are published in two edited volumes and provide an illustrative survey of space law issues as discussed in Europe and with a particular focus on the Austrian perspective.
Nationales Weltraum Recht / National Space Legislation
The book gives a comprehensive overview on the topic of National Space Legislation, its need, its problems and recent developments (Articles on "The Necessities for the Development of National Space Law", "The State of the Art and recent Trends in the Development of National Space Law", "National Space Laws in selected Countries", "National Space Law: the Perspective of ESA European Cooperating States (PECS)", and "National Space Law: A Challenge for Austria?” are included). The last and final chapter "National Space Law: A Challenge for Austria?" summarizes the discussions and conclusions made during the conference "NATIONAL SPACE LAW: Development in Europe - Challenges for Small Countries". ISBN-10: 3205777603 ISBN-13: 9783205777601
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In 2008 "Nationales Weltraumrecht – National Space Legislation" was published by Dr. Brünner and Edith Walter. It is a compendium of various articles in the field of National Space Legislation. It also includes the summary and conclusions of a conference which took place in 2006. Raumfahrt und Recht – Faszination Weltraum – Regeln zwischen Himmel und Erde
"Der Weltraum ist strategisch und operativ in den verschiedensten Lebens- bzw Politikbereichen einer der bedeutsamsten Tätigkeitsbereiche des Menschen, der Gesellschaft und der Politik geworden. Im Rahmen des Symposiums Raumfahrt und Recht an der Universität Graz diskutierten Experten aus der Weltraumforschung und -technologie, Rechtswissenschaften und Politik die vielfältigen Aspekte dieses faszinierenden Themas." Die Vortragenden des Symposiums haben ihre jeweiligen Themen nunmehr auch in schriftlicher Form in diesem Buch aufgearbeitet und in sehr leserlicher Form erläutern sie Grundlagen des Weltraums in technischer und auch in rechtlicher Hinsicht. ISBN-10: 3205776275 ISBN-13: 978-3205776277 Current issues of space law or related topics are published in the “NPOC Austria Newsletter” which is sent out to people interested in hard copies or by e-mail. |
(nur in deutscher Sprache erhältlich)4. Cooperation with other Institutions
A number of institutions in Austria are very active in space activities. Among them are the Austrian Space Forum (ÖWF), the NGO-Committee on Outer Space, the European Space Policy Insititute (ESPI)
In particular, the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs and the European Space Policy Institute are also located in Vienna.
The NPOC stays in contact with those institutions for an exchange of information and mutual assistance. This includes, for example, announcing space related events in Austria on the NPOC website. See “Events”.
5. Cooperation with ECSL and other NPOCs
ECSL encourages the establishment of National Points of Contact (NPOCs) in member States of the European Space Agency (ESA). To date, 12 NPOCs have been set up, these are in: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Their status differs depending on whether an institute or centre for space law exists in the country and on the legal strucuture chosen by its members.
The NPOC Austria acts as an interface between ECSL and persons interested in space law in Austria. This includes information about the activities that are organised by ECSL, such as:
a) The Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition
Each year ECSL organises, together with the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), the European Round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. Regional winners from Europe, Asia-Pacific and the United States then compete in the world finals, held in conjunction with the annual International Astronautical Congress.
The final of the Lachs Moot Court Competition has the distinction of being judged by three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice. To participate in the competition, all that is needed is two or three law students interested in expanding their knowledge of space law and gaining valuable international experience.
Information on how to take part in the competition can be found on the Webpage of the Moot Court. (www.spacemoot.org)
b) The ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy
One of ECSL’s most successful activities is the ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy. This is organised by ESA with the support of a host university (1992 Messina (Italy), 1993 Toulouse (France), 1994 Granada (spain), 1995 Aberdeen (United Kingdom), 1996 Leiden (The Netherlands), 1997 Rovaniemi (Finland), 1998 Brest (France), 1999 Geneva (Switzerland), 2000 Cologne (Germany), 2001 Nice (France), 2002 La Rochelle (France), 2003 Leuven (Belgium), 2004 Graz (Austria), 2005 Terni (Perugia, Italy),2006 Noordwijk (The Netherlands),2007 Noordwijk (The Netherlands), 2008 Genoa (Italy). The Summer Course attracts participants from an increasing number of universities.
During the two-week course students attend intensive lectures given by university professors and space professionals concerning the international legal framework of space activities. These include UN Resolutions, Space Treaties and other legal issues relevant to space applications such as the commercialisation of space activities, telecommunications, remote-sensing, launching states, intellectual property rights, etc.
During the course students have the opportunity to meet highly qualified experts, to learn from their experience and to visit space industry.
The main objective of the Summer Course is to stimulate students’ interest in this particular field of international law and to provide them with a basic, solid knowledge upon which to build their professional career or carry out further academic research.
The NPOC Austria announces the information about the ECSL Summer Course and encourages interested students to apply. If the number of applicants to requires the NPOC Austria selects an appropriate number of students and nominates them to ECSL.
c) The ECSL practitioners' forum
A one-day Practitioner's Forum has been organised every year since 1992. The aim of the Forum is to provide those working in the space sector with a forum for the exchange of views, knowledge and information.
During the forum experts present the latest developments in, for example: EC law, contracts and procurement law, telecommunications, space liability and insurance, etc. Each presentation is followed by a question and discussion session.
The forum is very informal, participants speak in their personal capacity and in general, papers are not collected or published.
ECSL
The European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) was established in 1989 at the initiative of the European Space Agency and with the support of a number of pioneers in this field.
Members of ECSL include professionals working in the space sector, lawyers, university professors and students. The Centre provides a forum for all those wishing to take part in constructive debates on space law and encourages interdisciplinary exchange between members.
The main objective of the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) is to build up and spread, within Europe and elsewhere, an understanding of the legal framework relevant to space activities. ECSL does this by fostering the exchange of information among interested stakeholders and by helping to improve and promote the teaching of space law. Its aim is to provide updated information on Europe’s contribution to space activities beyond Europe, and therefore to enhance the European position in the field of space law practice, teaching and publications.
For further information please visit the Webpage of the ECSL.