11 Nov 2022
Professor Frans von der Dunk recently presented at "The Future is Now: Issues in Space Law and Policy" hosted by the University of Arizona on October 12, 2022 in Washington D.C. The event covered topics ranging from the Outer Space Treaty and property rights to resources, responsible stewardship of the Moon, the crowding of low earth orbit, and national security.
Professor von der Dunk was featured on the first panel on the Outer Space Treaty and Property rights, moderated by Stephen Fleming, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, Center for Quantum Networks. Also featured on the panel was John Reed, Chief Rocket Scientist, United Lauch Alliance, and Laura Montgomery, Catholic University Columbus School of Law. Von der Dunk discussed the importance of Article II of the Outer Space Treaty and what it means for space mining: recognizing that outer space is a global commons, which entitles all states and the private sector to use resources for their own benefit within the bounds of international law. Additionally, the panel focused on developments in different countries' domestic laws, including the 2015 U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, the 2017 Luxembourg Law on the Exploration and Use of Space Resources, the 2019 UAE Law on the Regulation of the Space Sector, the 2021 Japanese Space Resources Act, and the Artemis Accords.