Alden Orrery – Regulatory Briefing – September 2024
Regulatory Briefing – September 2024
INTERNATIONAL
United Nations adopts Pact for the Future
Heads of States from over 193 countries successfully adopted a Pact for the Future on 22 September 2024. The wide-ranging Pact, which addresses areas of international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, gender and digital cooperation, specifically addresses the importance of strengthening international cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humanity.
Importantly, the Pact notes the continuing importance of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). It also explicitly reaffirms the importance of discussing the establishment of new frameworks for space traffic, space debris and space resources. The Pact equally stresses the importance of inviting the engagement of relevant private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to contribute to intergovernmental processes related to the increased safety and sustainability of outer space.
The full Pact for the Future can be accessed here.
EUROPE
GERMANY
German Cabinet adopts key points for a Space Act
On 4 September 2024, the German Cabinet announced it had adopted key points for a Space Act. In response to the growing commercialisation of space, the Act will aim to regulate the safety of civil space activities and launch facilities, while also addressing the reduction of space debris through specific technical standards. Additionally, the legislation seeks to bolster the competitiveness of Germany’s space industry and enhance its global standing. The core contents of the key points set out by the Cabinet include:
- the approval/licensing of activities in space;
- the designation of which authority will monitor and regulate the activities;
- the registration of objects in space; and
- the ability for the Federal Republic of Germany to take recourse against a private operator in the event of liability under international treaties.
ITALY
Italy approves first comprehensive framework law on space
On 20 June 2024, Italy’s Council of Ministers announced it had approved its first comprehensive framework law on space and the space economy.
The framework addresses regulatory gaps and provides rules and guidelines for private sector involvement in space activities. In addition to mandating authorisation for national and foreign operators who intend to conduct space activities from Italian soil, the law will also regulate the activities of national operators intending to conduct business from other territories. The new law will also cover operational safety and insurance, as well as promoting the efficient use of satellite communications spectrum.
ASIA
INDIA
India approves major space projects
On 18 September 2024, the Indian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Chandrayaan-4 Moon sample return mission. This mission aims to develop the essential technologies and capabilities needed to support India’s goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2040. The approval comes after the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, which made India the fourth country to achieve a lunar landing.
According to a government statement, the mission will “enable India to be self-sufficient in critical foundational technologies for manned missions, lunar sample return and scientific analysis of lunar samples”. It also highlights the significant involvement of Indian industry in achieving these goals.
The government statement also revealed that India is set to approve the Venus Orbiter Mission, which will focus on studying Venus’s atmosphere, geology and evolution. Additionally, it confirmed the approval of the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is expected to support crewed lunar landings by 2040.
AFRICA
SENEGAL
Senegal becomes newest member of China-led ILRS project
The Senegalese Space Study Agency signed an agreement on cooperation on the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) on 5 September 2024.
The China-led ILRS initiative plans to establish a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, preceded by precursor missions in the 2020s. Senegal’s recent inclusion makes it the eleventh country to join the ILRS program. This collaborative effort was initially announced by China and Russia in June 2021 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Other participating countries include Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia and Kazakhstan.
NORTH AMERICA
UNITED STATES
Federal Aviation Administration publishes final rule on US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act
On 19 September 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its final rule on the US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act. The rule provides regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licences for space flight operations involving government astronauts. It introduces new regulations for space operators with government astronauts on board, with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles.
Notably, the rule also defines key terms such as “Government astronaut” and “International partner astronaut”.
The rule will become effective on 18 November 2024.
NASA creates space sustainability division to consolidate orbital debris activities
NASA Deputy Administrator, Pam Melroy, announced the creation of a new space sustainability division within NASA on 20 September 2024.
Melroy said the division will be a “unified organisation that will integrate [NASA’s] operational, research and policy functions”. The division is a result of NASA’s Space Sustainability Strategy, released in April 2024, push to create “an empowered organizational entity to focus on day-to-day coordination and accountability of NASA’s space sustainability efforts.”
It is hoped that the new division will help drive the development of orbital debris research as well as critical debris tracking and remediation technologies.
If you would like more information on any topics in this Regulatory Briefing, please contact orrery@wearealden.com
