Nuclear Power in Space: The UN Principles, US Launch Rules and the Race for a Lunar Reactor
Nuclear power in space explained: the 1992 UN Principles, NSPM-20 launch approval tiers, Cosmos 954 and the US plan for a lunar…
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Everything we publish, newest first. Analysis, regulatory updates, case notes, interviews and explainers on the law of outer space.
Amateur Rocket Laws: Is It Legal to Launch Your Own Rocket?
Amateur rocket laws explained: FAA Part 101 rocket classes, waivers and ATC notice, the 150 km ceiling, explosives rules and the UK's…
Reflect Orbital’s Space Mirror: The FCC Licensed the Radio, Not the Sunlight
Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1 licence was reissued on 9 October. Why the FCC says the mirror itself is beyond its reach, and what…
Explainers9 min read
9 min
Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines Explained: IADC, UN and National Rules
Space debris mitigation guidelines explained: the IADC and UN rules, the 25-year limit, the 2025 constellation update and how regulators make them binding.
Explainers10 min read
10 min
Planetary Protection Explained: The Rules That Keep Earth Life Off Other Worlds
Planetary protection explained: Article IX, COSPAR's five categories, the 2026 Icy Worlds update, and why private missions remain a regulatory gap.
Regulatory Updates10 min read
10 min
FCC Part 100: What the 7 October Guidance Means for Satellite Milestones and Surety Bonds
FCC Part 100 guidance of 7 October 2026 explains how satellite operators can switch to new milestones, drop surety bonds, and the deadline to file.
Commercial Space11 min read
11 min
Satellite Export Controls Explained: ITAR, the EAR and Launching Abroad
Satellite export controls explained: how ITAR and the EAR split spacecraft, what counts as an export, rules for launching abroad and the October proposal.
Explainers11 min read
11 min
Can You Buy Land on the Moon? What the Law Says About Lunar Deeds
Can you buy land on the Moon? No. Why lunar deeds have no legal effect, what the Outer Space Treaty says, and what the law now…
Regulatory Updates11 min read
11 min
Direct-to-Device Rules: SpaceX’s 15,000-Satellite Licence and the FCC’s Plan to Rewrite SCS
Direct-to-device rules are being rewritten: what SpaceX's 15,000-satellite licence and the FCC's 29 October vote on 13 SCS bands mean for operators.
Commercial Space9 min read
9 min
Canadian Space Launch Act: What Bill C-28 Would Change for Rocket Launches
The Canadian Space Launch Act explained: how Bill C-28 would licence launches and re-entries, who carries liability, and why the bill is still in Parliament.
Explainers11 min read
11 min
The Liability Convention Explained: Who Pays When Space Objects Cause Damage
The Liability Convention explained: who is a launching State, absolute versus fault liability, how claims work, and the Cosmos 954 case that tested it.
Regulatory Updates11 min read
11 min
TraCSS and EU SST: What Their Joint Study on Sharing Space Traffic Data Shows
TraCSS and EU SST compared collision warnings for the same satellites. What the 7 October study shows about operator data, FCC rules and TraCSS funding.