Meet our clerks AND RAPPORTEURS

Space Court Rapporteurs
Space Court Clerks and Interns
Charlie JP Bennett is a British national, and permanent Dutch resident. He has graduated with two LL.Ms in ‘Public International Law’ and ‘European Law’ from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and seeks to enter legal practice in the field of international dispute resolution. To that end – and in light of his intense interest in all things space; since he almost became a physicist – he wrote his first LL.M thesis on the contemporary dispute resolution framework of space law. He looks to expand upon and develop knowledge of this area at the Space Court Foundation, which has thankfully not lost sight of the fundamental principles upon which the first space treaties were written; which risk being set aside in light of current developments. Aside from this endeavour, he also works in legal research at the TMC Asser institute in The Hague.
Melanie McComb is from the United States, but currently lives in Madrid, Spain. She graduated from Temple University with a BS in Sport and Recreation Management. Currently, she is a 3L at Stetson University’s College of Law. Alongside her J.D. program, Melanie participated in a prestigious dual degree program at Comillas Universidad Pontificia in Madrid, Spain. During her 2L, she earned her LLM in International and European Business Law which culminated in a master’s thesis titled “Outer Space – A Littered Legacy and Final Economic Frontier – A Review of Space Debris Regulations and Recommendations to Improve Them.” This comprehensive work explored the critical issue of space debris and provided insightful recommendations to enhance existing regulations.  
Melanie’s scholarly focus lies primarily in the realm of Space Law with a keen interest in the areas that intersect with Space Law such as public procurement, international public and private law, industry regulation, international tax law, cyber security law, etc. By delving into these interconnected domains, she strives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing space activities and contribute to the development of effective policies. 
Melanie is excited by the potential of the Outer Space economy and eagerly anticipates witnessing its growth as other industries start to invest in space-related activities such as sports and entertainment. As such, she aspires to facilitate the responsible and sustainable practices that will guide humanity’s ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere. 

Heath Hoeffner is originally from Georgia, USA and has been a space lover and enthusiast ever since his parents put glow in the dark stars and planets on his ceiling when he was 4 years old. He completed his undergrad education at Georgia College and State University where he completed his dual major of History and Political Science and received Bachelors Degrees for both in 2021. He is a current second year law student at the University of Mississippi School of Law where he studies Air and Space Law and seeks to complete his LLM in Space Law at the same institution upon graduating. He is passionate about the preservation of human heritage sites in space and helps the organization For All Moonkind with research related activities when possible. He is passionate that the future of the human race lies in space and wants to be part of the generation that helps make that future a reality. His out of work hobbies include reading sci fi and fantasy novels, using his telescope, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Ayush Khandelwal is a law graduate from National Law University, Nagpur. He is currently pursuing his LLM in Air and Space Law (Thesis) from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He was a mentee under Maruska Strah, the executive director of World Space week Association under the UNOOSA’s Space4women programme. His current research interests are in the diversified areas of International Law, specifically air and space law. He is currently working towards pursuing a career in Space law with a goal to pursue a doctoral degree in the area. 

Doğa Kale graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law in 2022 and is currently doing her legal internship at the Istanbul Bar Association in Turkey. Her working areas include cryptocurrency exchanges, start-up investments, acquisitions, capital markets, and investment funds. She is also CEO Office at LawPodcast Media which produces global podcast content focused on law. The elective courses she took on International Aspects of Aviation Law at the college led her to research Space Law. She believes that the exploration and freedom of use of outer space without discrimination between States will provide a solution to many of the problems that have a devastating effect on Earth including the goals of Sustainability. She also thinks that a comprehensive legal framework should be created to achieve this target. In addition to her legal education, she completed courses on Entrepreneurship, Industry 4.0, and Big Data. 

Justin Lindsay is a current student at the University of Pittsburgh Law School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Having attained a BS in History from Drexel University, he served in the United States Army for ten years. During this time he obtained an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, combining International Relations and Statistics. At Pitt, Justin is pursuing a certificate in International and Comparative Law with a concentration in Civil Litigation. Justin’s fascination with space began when his parents got him his first telescope at age six, and on any clear night he can still be found scanning the sky. He hopes to apply his knowledge to dispute resolution and to the sustainable development of celestial objects.

Conghui Liu graduated in Air and Space Law, Master’s Degree, from McGill University. Her paper “Saving Astronaut Who?” was accepted by the GLEX 2021 conference and later published on the IAF’s Digital Library. After graduation, Conghui went to Rome and worked as an intern at UNIDROIT  researching the Space Protocol of the Cape Town Convention.

Robert Kresánek is a Slovak student of International Relations at the Rhein-Waal University in Germany. He is passionate about public international law and specifically as it relates to space and human rights. Currently, he is working on a thesis which discusses a conflict between the two.

Gabriel Evalsam Lyster is a student of the Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, Nigeria. Currently a group lead at the University of Uyo Law Clinic; Director of Academics and Programs of Ime Umanah Chambers; and President, Christian Law Student Fellowship of Nigeria.


An avid learner, with a keen interest in Technology, Robotics, Space, and the Law of artificial Intelligence. He has Contributed to the growth of organizations at various levels.


He has participated in a number of local and international debate and Moot Court Competitions with a certified skill in legal advocacy.

Rahul Matharu is a final year student at law centre-2 Faculty of Law, Delhi University. He did his undergraduate degree in commerce from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College Delhi University.

He has done a Postgraduate Diploma in Air and Space Law from Jamia Milia Islamia college Central University of India. He completed a postgraduate diploma in International business operation and Master degree in commerce. 

Rahul has a keen interest in space law and I give all credit to Dr. Carl Sagan for prompting his interest in space the precious world of Dr Carl Sagan echoed in his ears: “ The Cosmos is all that is or was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries of the Universe.”