Space Court Foundation

Founded in 2018, The Space Court Foundation (SCF) is an international space law and policy research and educational organisation.

Through our global internship program, research partnerships, and community media we foster greater understanding, awareness, and interest in the field of space law. We find and analyze primary and secondary source materials in all the United Nations COPUOS countries to produce educational materials, foster academic discourse, and inform decisionmakers.

We are committed to preserving and promoting the rule of law in space. We advocate for adherence to the legal frameworks and norms that are shaping humankind’s journey into space.

SCF engages in grant consortia, institutional partnerships, and private collaborations to fund research and to communicate the importance of space law; maintaining our humanity as we venture farther from Earth

Our marquee research products:

The Space Court Law Library

The Space Law Research Guide

The Big Books of National Space Law

Stellar Decisis

plus historical projects such as the Andrew Haley Project

We publish a respected peer-reviewed academic Student Space Law Journal

Through our renowned and diverse Global Internship Program we have supported over 120 interns from 56 universities in 28 countries on 6 continents.

Meet the SCF Leadership Team in Vienna!

From 14th to 19th April, Christopher Hearsey (Co-Founder), Jonathan Kaley-Isley (Executive Director), and Charlie JP Bennett (Research Coordinator) will be attending the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 65th Session of the Legal Subcommittee.

We look forward to connecting with many of our space law colleagues.

If you will also be attending, we invite you to reach out to our leadership team.

#SpaceLaw #COPUOS #SpaceGovernance

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Meet the SCF Leadership Team in Vienna!

From 14th to 19th April, Christopher Hearsey (Co-Founder), Jonathan Kaley-Isley (Executive Director), and Charlie JP Bennett (Research Coordinator) will be attending the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 65th Session of the Legal Subcommittee.

We look forward to connecting with many of our space law colleagues.

If you will also be attending, we invite you to reach out to our leadership team.

#SpaceLaw #COPUOS #SpaceGovernance

🚀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝: 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 April 2026 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 3

We are pleased to announce the publication of the April 2026 issue 3 of the Space Court Foundation Student Space Law Journal (SCF SSLJ).

At a time of unprecedented growth in space activities, driven by both governmental and commercial actors, the need for thoughtful legal analysis and new perspectives has never been greater. The SCF SSLJ provides a dedicated platform for law students and early-career professionals to contribute to scholarly discourse in space law while receiving structured editorial mentorship.

This issue features a diverse set of contributions addressing some of the most pressing challenges in space governance, including:
• the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), anti-satellite activities
• the extension of environmental governance principles to the space domain
• commercial space mining
• intersection of art and outer space
• questions of state responsibility in the context of armed conflict
• proposed EU Space Act and its potential role in orbital traffic management
• influence of mid-sized nations in global space governance

We are grateful to our authors, peer reviewers, and the editorial team for their dedication and commitment to advancing scholarly dialogue in space law.

📖 Read the new issue: https://zenodo.org/records/19454106

#SpaceLaw #OuterSpaceLaw #SpaceGovernance #SpaceSecurity #AcademicPublishing #SpacePolicy

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🚀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝: 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 April 2026 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 3

We are pleased to announce the publication of the April 2026 issue 3 of the Space Court Foundation Student Space Law Journal (SCF SSLJ).

At a time of unprecedented growth in space activities, driven by both governmental and commercial actors, the need for thoughtful legal analysis and new perspectives has never been greater. The SCF SSLJ provides a dedicated platform for law students and early-career professionals to contribute to scholarly discourse in space law while receiving structured editorial mentorship.

This issue features a diverse set of contributions addressing some of the most pressing challenges in space governance, including:
• the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), anti-satellite activities
• the extension of environmental governance principles to the space domain
• commercial space mining
• intersection of art and outer space
• questions of state responsibility in the context of armed conflict
• proposed EU Space Act and its potential role in orbital traffic management
• influence of mid-sized nations in global space governance

We are grateful to our authors, peer reviewers, and the editorial team for their dedication and commitment to advancing scholarly dialogue in space law.

📖 Read the new issue: https://zenodo.org/records/19454106

#SpaceLaw #OuterSpaceLaw #SpaceGovernance #SpaceSecurity #AcademicPublishing #SpacePolicy

With Artemis II, humanity has once again travelled beyond low Earth orbit.

More than 50 years after Apollo 8, this mission marks the return of astronauts to deep space, carrying a historic crew that includes the first woman to journey around the Moon. In doing so, Artemis II has also set a new milestone by venturing farther from Earth than any humans before.

Beyond its technical achievements, Artemis II represents a shift in how space exploration is conducted today: through international cooperation, commercial partnerships, and an evolving framework of governance.

At the Space Court Foundation, we recognize that milestones like this are not only about exploration but also about responsibility. As human activity expands beyond Earth, so too does the need to address the legal, policy, and sustainability challenges that come with it.

Initiatives such as the Space Law Research Guide (SLRG) continue to play a key role in advancing dialogue and research on these issues, contributing to a more inclusive and responsible future in space.

We congratulate the Artemis II crew on this historic mission and wish them continued success as they carry humanity further into deep space 🚀

#ArtemisII #SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceExploration

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With Artemis II, humanity has once again travelled beyond low Earth orbit.

More than 50 years after Apollo 8, this mission marks the return of astronauts to deep space, carrying a historic crew that includes the first woman to journey around the Moon. In doing so, Artemis II has also set a new milestone by venturing farther from Earth than any humans before.

Beyond its technical achievements, Artemis II represents a shift in how space exploration is conducted today: through international cooperation, commercial partnerships, and an evolving framework of governance.

At the Space Court Foundation, we recognize that milestones like this are not only about exploration but also about responsibility. As human activity expands beyond Earth, so too does the need to address the legal, policy, and sustainability challenges that come with it.

Initiatives such as the Space Law Research Guide (SLRG) continue to play a key role in advancing dialogue and research on these issues, contributing to a more inclusive and responsible future in space.

We congratulate the Artemis II crew on this historic mission and wish them continued success as they carry humanity further into deep space 🚀

#ArtemisII #SpaceLaw #SpacePolicy #SpaceExploration

Women comprise 45% of the space law and policy workforce in public sector organisations. Yet significant data gaps exist regarding their representation in senior decision-making roles, the barriers they face, and whose perspectives are included in space governance.

The Space Court Foundation is committed to enhancing representation, diversity, inclusion, and visibility within the space law and policy sector through our comprehensive "Space for Women" initiative.

We encourage our community to participate in the @unoosa Space4Women 2026 Survey, which represents the final phase of the Space4Women Landmark Study. Your input is crucial to building global knowledge on personnel and policies in the space sector.

Fill out the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5XXBLQH

We look forward to sharing our upcoming Women in Space Law projects. Stay tuned for more updates!

#WomeninSpaceLaw #Space4Women #SpaceCourtFoundation #SpaceGovernance

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Women comprise 45% of the space law and policy workforce in public sector organisations. Yet significant data gaps exist regarding their representation in senior decision-making roles, the barriers they face, and whose perspectives are included in space governance.

The Space Court Foundation is committed to enhancing representation, diversity, inclusion, and visibility within the space law and policy sector through our comprehensive "Space for Women" initiative.

We encourage our community to participate in the @unoosa Space4Women 2026 Survey, which represents the final phase of the Space4Women Landmark Study. Your input is crucial to building global knowledge on personnel and policies in the space sector.

Fill out the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5XXBLQH

We look forward to sharing our upcoming Women in Space Law projects. Stay tuned for more updates!

#WomeninSpaceLaw #Space4Women #SpaceCourtFoundation #SpaceGovernance

🚀 Is Outer Space for Everyone?

This week, our Co-Founder, Christopher Hearsey, sat down with the team at the We Fixed It, You`re Welcome podcast to discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of space exploration. They explored key questions facing the industry today, such as whether we should all get on board with space tourism and whether private companies are truly equipped to lead exploration and development.

A conversation definitely worth listening to!

Listen to the full episode here:
🎧Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-outer-space-for-everyone/id1765605600?i=1000758426936
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G9iY6m2t8W9KjX1zR6vS4

#NewSpace #SpacePolicy #Podcast #SpaceLaw

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🚀 Is Outer Space for Everyone?

This week, our Co-Founder, Christopher Hearsey, sat down with the team at the We Fixed It, You're Welcome podcast to discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of space exploration. They explored key questions facing the industry today, such as whether we should all get on board with space tourism and whether private companies are truly equipped to lead exploration and development.

A conversation definitely worth listening to!

Listen to the full episode here:
🎧Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-outer-space-for-everyone/id1765605600?i=1000758426936
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G9iY6m2t8W9KjX1zR6vS4

#NewSpace #SpacePolicy #Podcast #SpaceLaw

It`s been a busy start to the year at Space Court Foundation! We`re thrilled to welcome our 7 new legal research interns to the team.

We`re excited to have such a talented group of emerging professionals joining us as they dive into the evolving landscape of space law and policy. Please join us in welcoming: Paige, Nisha, Samar, Baptiste, Skylar, Aisha, and Joshua.

Our interns bring a wealth of expertise spanning cybersecurity, lunar governance and resource extraction, liability and dispute resolution, and Artificial Intelligence in space law—areas that are fundamentally shaping the future of space governance and our industry.

We look forward to the meaningful contributions they will make to the work of SCF in the year ahead. We`re proud to support the next generation of leaders shaping the future of space governance.

Get to know all of our interns and learn more about our internship program: https://spacecourtfoundation.org/internship/

Interested in joining a future cohort? Our internship application process will reopen in April 2026.

#SpaceLaw #SpaceGovernance #SpacePolicy #InternshipOpportunity

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It's been a busy start to the year at Space Court Foundation! We're thrilled to welcome our 7 new legal research interns to the team.

We're excited to have such a talented group of emerging professionals joining us as they dive into the evolving landscape of space law and policy. Please join us in welcoming: Paige, Nisha, Samar, Baptiste, Skylar, Aisha, and Joshua.

Our interns bring a wealth of expertise spanning cybersecurity, lunar governance and resource extraction, liability and dispute resolution, and Artificial Intelligence in space law—areas that are fundamentally shaping the future of space governance and our industry.

We look forward to the meaningful contributions they will make to the work of SCF in the year ahead. We're proud to support the next generation of leaders shaping the future of space governance.

Get to know all of our interns and learn more about our internship program: https://spacecourtfoundation.org/internship/

Interested in joining a future cohort? Our internship application process will reopen in April 2026.

#SpaceLaw #SpaceGovernance #SpacePolicy #InternshipOpportunity

Save the Date for the 2027 @iisl Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition!

As we`ve just wrapped up another successful North American regional round, we`re thrilled to announce the dates for the 2027 Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition.

For those unfamiliar with the competition, the Manfred Lachs Moot Court is one of the most prestigious space law competitions in the world, bringing together the brightest student minds to engage with real-world issues in space law and policy.

Have questions about the competition? Reach out to the team at lachsmoot-northamerica@iisl.space.

In the meantime, don`t miss the 2026 World Finals at the International Astronomical Conference in Antalya, Turkey (3–6 October 2026). This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the global space law community and get inspired for next year.

#MootCourt #SpaceLaw #ManfredLachs #IISL

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Save the Date for the 2027 @iisl Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition!

As we've just wrapped up another successful North American regional round, we're thrilled to announce the dates for the 2027 Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition.

For those unfamiliar with the competition, the Manfred Lachs Moot Court is one of the most prestigious space law competitions in the world, bringing together the brightest student minds to engage with real-world issues in space law and policy.

Have questions about the competition? Reach out to the team at lachsmoot-northamerica@iisl.space.

In the meantime, don't miss the 2026 World Finals at the International Astronomical Conference in Antalya, Turkey (3–6 October 2026). This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the global space law community and get inspired for next year.

#MootCourt #SpaceLaw #ManfredLachs #IISL

The results are in from the 2026 North American @IISL Manfred Lachs Moot Court Regional Round!

“Skip Smith” Best Team: New York University School of Law

Finalist : UVA Law (University of Virginia School of Law)

“James Rendleman” Best Oralist: Varnum Bayless, UVA Law

Best Memorials: McGill University (McGill Institute of Air & Space Law)

Best New Team: Texas A&M University School of Law

Semi-Finalists: University of Chicago, McGill University

Quarter-Finalists: Florida State University College of Law, University of Ottawa, Nebraska Law, George Washington University Law School

Congratulations to all participating teams, we were highly impressed by your preparation, advocacy, and engagement with critical space law issues. A huge thank you to our judges and competition sponsors for making this regional round such a success.

@New York University School of Law advances to the 2026 World Finals at the International Astronomical Conference in Antalya, Turkey (3–6 October 2026).

Well done to everyone involved!

#MootCourt #SpaceLaw #ManfredLachs #IISL