Space Industry Legal Resources

Curated directory of law firms, regulations, government agencies, industry organizations, academic programs, and international treaties for space industry professionals.

Law Firms

(9)

Hogan Lovells

Global Law Firm

Leading global firm with a dedicated aerospace, defense, and government services practice. Advises on satellite licensing, spectrum, export controls, and government contracts.

DLA Piper

Global Law Firm

Global firm with aerospace and defense practice covering space transactions, regulatory compliance, ITAR/EAR, and international trade. Active in space venture capital transactions.

Milbank LLP

Global Law Firm

Pioneers in space finance and satellite industry transactions. Advised on many of the largest satellite financing deals, including Intelsat, SES, and Telesat.

Sheppard Mullin

National Law Firm

Active in commercial space, with expertise in launch licensing, FCC satellite licensing, spectrum rights, and space startup formation. Strong presence in Los Angeles aerospace hub.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Global Law Firm

Strong aerospace, defense, and government contracts practice. Advises on space policy, lobbying, and regulatory advocacy. Active in space SPAC and M&A transactions.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Technology Law Firm

Leading technology firm that has expanded into space tech, representing numerous space startups in venture financing, IP, and regulatory matters.

Cooley LLP

Technology Law Firm

Represents space startups and growth-stage companies in venture capital, M&A, and regulatory matters. Active in the NewSpace ecosystem.

Thompson Hine

National Law Firm

Aerospace and defense practice with experience in government contracts, ITAR compliance, and space-related procurement. Known for small business government contracting support.

Jenner & Block

National Law Firm

Government contracts and regulatory practice with space industry clients. Expertise in bid protests, compliance, and False Claims Act defense.

Regulations & Statutes

(8)

Commercial Space Launch Act (51 U.S.C. Ch. 509)

Federal Statute

The primary U.S. statute governing commercial space launch and reentry licensing. Establishes FAA authority over launch vehicles, launch sites, and reentry vehicles.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Federal Regulation (22 CFR 120-130)

State Department regulations controlling the export of defense articles and services, including many satellite and space vehicle components on the U.S. Munitions List (USML).

Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

Federal Regulation (15 CFR 730-774)

Commerce Department regulations governing the export of commercial and dual-use items, including satellite components and space technologies on the Commerce Control List.

FCC Satellite Licensing Rules (47 CFR Part 25)

Federal Regulation

FCC regulations governing satellite licensing, including orbital debris mitigation requirements, the 5-year deorbit rule, spectrum coordination, and market access for non-U.S. systems.

FAA Commercial Space Transportation Regulations (14 CFR Parts 401-460)

Federal Regulation

FAA regulations for launch and reentry licensing, launch site licensing, financial responsibility requirements, and safety approvals for commercial space transportation.

NOAA Commercial Remote Sensing Regulations (15 CFR Part 960)

Federal Regulation

NOAA regulations governing the licensing of private remote sensing satellite systems. Updated in 2020 to streamline licensing and create a tiered regulatory framework.

U.S. Space Policy Directives (SPD 1-7)

Executive Policy

Presidential directives establishing U.S. space policy, including SPD-2 (regulatory reform), SPD-3 (space traffic management), and SPD-5 (cybersecurity).

U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (2015)

Federal Statute

Landmark legislation that extended learning period liability protections, authorized commercial space resource utilization (asteroid mining), and extended ISS operations.

Government Resources

(8)

FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)

Federal Agency

The primary U.S. regulator for commercial launch and reentry. Issues launch licenses, reentry licenses, and launch site operator licenses. Publishes annual Commercial Space Transportation forecasts.

FCC Space Bureau

Federal Agency

Established in 2023, the FCC Space Bureau licenses satellite systems, manages spectrum allocation for space services, and enforces orbital debris mitigation rules including the 5-year deorbit requirement.

NOAA Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs

Federal Agency

Licenses private remote sensing satellite systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act. Issues, modifies, and monitors compliance of commercial Earth observation licenses.

Office of Space Commerce

Federal Agency

Department of Commerce office responsible for fostering commercial space activities and developing the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) for civil space situational awareness.

NASA Office of the General Counsel

Federal Agency

Handles NASA legal matters including Space Act Agreements, intellectual property, procurement, environmental compliance, and international agreements for space cooperation.

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

Federal Agency

Administers the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) governing export of dual-use space technologies. Issues export licenses and enforces compliance for commercial space items.

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)

Federal Agency

State Department office administering ITAR. Registers defense manufacturers/exporters, issues export licenses for USML items, and enforces compliance for space defense articles.

SAM.gov

Government Portal

System for Award Management, the official U.S. government portal for entity registration and contract opportunity search. Required registration for all government contractors.

Industry Organizations

(7)

Satellite Industry Association (SIA)

Trade Association

The primary trade association for the satellite industry, representing satellite operators, manufacturers, launch providers, and ground equipment companies. Publishes the annual State of the Satellite Industry Report.

Space Foundation

Nonprofit Organization

Leading space advocacy organization. Hosts the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, publishes The Space Report, and runs space education and workforce development programs.

SSPI (Society of Satellite Professionals International)

Professional Association

Professional development organization for the satellite industry. Offers networking, mentoring, and educational programs. Hosts the Future Leaders and Hall of Fame programs.

Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF)

Trade Association

Industry association representing commercial spaceflight companies, including launch providers, space stations, and human spaceflight operators. Advocates for regulatory modernization.

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)

Trade Association

Trade association representing major aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers. Publishes industry data, advocates for policy, and hosts conferences.

International Institute of Space Law (IISL)

Professional Association

Premier international organization devoted to the development of space law. Holds annual colloquia, publishes proceedings, and advises COPUOS on legal matters.

Space Safety Coalition

Industry Coalition

Coalition of satellite operators and industry organizations that developed best practices for space safety, including conjunction assessment, collision avoidance, and data sharing.

Academic Resources

(8)

University of Nebraska - Lincoln Space Law Program

LL.M. Program

The leading U.S. academic program in space law, offering an LL.M. in Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law. Publishes the Journal of Space Law (now at Nebraska).

McGill University - Institute of Air and Space Law

LL.M. Program

One of the oldest and most prestigious air and space law programs globally. Offers LL.M. and DCL degrees, publishes the Annals of Air and Space Law.

Leiden University - International Institute of Air and Space Law

LL.M. Program

Leading European space law program. Offers advanced LL.M. in Air and Space Law. Strong connections to ESA and international space law organizations.

University of Luxembourg - Space Law Program

LL.M. Program

Emerging center for space law and space resources law, driven by Luxembourg's national space resource utilization law (2017). Hosts the Space Resources Governance conference.

Journal of Space Law

Academic Journal

The leading English-language academic journal devoted to space law. Published since 1973, now hosted at the University of Nebraska College of Law.

The Aerospace Corporation - Center for Space Policy and Strategy

Research Center

Publishes policy papers and analysis on space governance, debris mitigation, space traffic management, and regulatory reform. Widely cited by policymakers.

Secure World Foundation

Research Organization

Think tank focused on space sustainability and governance. Publishes research on space debris, space security, and space governance. Hosts the annual Summit for Space Sustainability.

George Washington University - Space Policy Institute

Research Institute

Leading U.S. policy research center focused on space policy, commercial space regulation, and space governance. Located in Washington, D.C. near key government agencies.

International Treaties

(8)

Outer Space Treaty (1967)

International Treaty

The foundation of international space law. Establishes principles of free exploration, non-appropriation of outer space, state responsibility, and peaceful use. Ratified by 114 states.

Rescue Agreement (1968)

International Treaty

Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space. Obligates states to rescue astronauts in distress and return space objects.

Liability Convention (1972)

International Treaty

Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. Establishes absolute liability for surface damage and fault-based liability for damage in orbit. Only invoked once (Cosmos 954).

Registration Convention (1976)

International Treaty

Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. Requires launching states to register space objects with the UN and maintain national registries.

Moon Agreement (1979)

International Treaty

Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Declares lunar resources "common heritage of mankind." Not ratified by any major space-faring nation.

Artemis Accords (2020)

International Agreement

Bilateral agreements establishing principles for civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Signed by 40+ nations. Supports resource utilization rights.

ITU Radio Regulations

International Framework

International Telecommunication Union regulations governing radio frequency allocation and satellite orbital filing procedures. Updated at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC).

UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

International Guidelines

Non-binding guidelines adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. Establish baseline principles for orbital debris mitigation referenced by national regulations worldwide.