Joanne Wheeler MBE

Managing Partner, Alden Legal

Joanne WheelerJoanne is a leading international expert in the field of satellite and space law, policy, regulation, spectrum issues and commercial contracts, having worked at Ofcom, the European Space Agency and for over 25 years in private legal practice in this area. She was awarded an MBE for services to the UK space industry, won the Financial Times European Legal Innovator of the Year award and is ranked Tier 1 in legal directories.

Joanne has been backed by the UK Government, industry and the insurance community to set up and lead the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI). As part of ESSI, Joanne works with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) – set up by King Charles III – and is a member of their Advisory Council, task force and CEO committee.

She is the co-founder and Chair of the Satellite Finance Network and the Prospero Space Fellowship, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Aeronautical Society, Co-Chair of the National Space Centre, and a member of Space Park Leicester’s Strategic Advisory Board. She Co-Chairs the UK Government’s Spaceflight Safety and Regulatory Council and was appointed as an honorary Professor by the University of Leicester in 2022.

Joanne has been recognised in Who’s Who Legal, International Advisory Experts, Expert Guides and Chambers and Partners as a leading individual and expert in the Communications, Data, Transport, Satellite and Space sector.

As well as writing a regular column for leading global industry journal Via Satellite, Joanne is invited to speak at many international satellite conferences and is often quoted in the media. She also authors and edits The Space Law Review, published by Lexology.

Joanne Wheeler is the leading expert in space law.

Legal 500

She is undoubtedly the best in the industry. Joanne Wheeler has proved herself many times and she is a trusted partner for me.

Chambers

Joanne Wheeler is clearly the industry leader in this field. She is industry-recognised as the thought leader and the go-to person for legal support on anything to do with space.

Chambers

Joanne Wheeler is just absolutely fabulous. She is hard-working, personable and well connected.

Chambers

Relevant Work Experience

  • Advised on, drafted and negotiated many satellite procurement contracts, launch service contracts, operations and control agreements, capacity agreements and in-orbit servicing agreements.
  • Advised on complex licensing projects, including constellation licensing and in-orbit service licensing.
  • Advised on satellite spectrum matters: filing procedures; access to spectrum; ground segment licensing; and European spectrum regulations.
  • Advised on suborbital licences and regulations for HAPs and launch activities.
  • Advised operators on space debris guidelines and near-conjunction issues.
  • Drafted space laws, procedures and guidelines for several space agencies, governments and regulators in Europe and the Middle-East.
  • Advised on the new UK Space Industry Act, changes in insurance premium tax and third party liability insurance for space operators.
  • Worked as expert legal counsel in relation to two studies for the European Commission involving: (i) an analysis of the existing procurement schemes within the European space industry, and the existing and future regulatory framework; and (ii) an assessment and comparison of national space laws and licensing regimes in Europe and the US.
  • Undertook comparative space law best practices studies and drafted procedures and guidelines regarding space law and suborbital regulation for a Middle-Eastern space agency.
  • Conducted a review of the UAE Regulatory Framework for Space Services and drafted new regulations, including on spectrum filings.
  • Drafted the Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings, while at Ofcom (national spectrum regulator for the UK).
  • Led the regulatory work for the UK Space Innovation and Growth Strategy and its “Restack” (a joint UK Government and industry project to prepare a strategic plan for the growth of the UK space industry to 2030).
  • Advised a large international satellite operator on the licensing of aeronautical spectrum and the use of aeronautical terminals in 41 jurisdictions including the UK, Europe and beyond.

Honours, Publications and Presentations

  • Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in January 2017 for services to the space sector
  • Won the individual Financial Times Legal Innovator of the Year award in 2014
  • Elected fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Aeronautical Society
  • Columnist for Via Satellite, and writes around 16 other articles/ chapters of books per year
  • Frequent speaker (over 10 times a year) on various space law topics nationally and internationally

Other Professional Activities

  • Chair and Founder of Satellite Finance Network (SFN)
  • Co-Chair of LaunchUK Industry Group
  • Co-Chair Regulatory Advisory Group (joint Government and industry think tank in the UK)
  • Previous Chair of Space Law Committee of the International Bar Association
  • Member of ISO/BSI Panel 9 (UK Section) on space systems and operations, Orbital Debris
  • Chair of the Steering Board, UK National Space Academy
  • Trustee of UK National Space Centre
  • Elected to the International Institute of Space Law
  • UK Point of Contact for the European Centre for Space Law

Education and Qualifications

  • Diploma in Telecommunications, Queen Mary, University of London
  • MSt in Law, Oxford University
  • LLM in Law and Economics, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • LLB (Hons) and DipLP in Law, University of Aberdeen
  • Admitted in England and Wales, 1998
  • Admitted in Scotland, 1996