This distinctive program is structured around seven thematic modules that integrate academic rigor with advanced professional expertise. Each module – guided by highly qualified scientific coordinators – comprises 40 hours of frontal lectures, complemented by institutional visits and meetings with international experts and organizations. Students will engage in an inductive learning approach that fosters in-depth exploration of current and emerging legal and policy challenges related to space. At the conclusion of every module, their learning will be tested by drafting legal and policy briefs or by taking a written exam on the topics discussed in class. The program culminates in the submission of a 10,000-word dissertation or project work on a subject matter of individual interest.
Space Policy
This module explores the political and strategic dimension of space activities, from Cold War rivalries to today’s democratization of access to space. It analyzes national policies, global competition, and cooperative frameworks, with a focus on the influence of innovation on national space strategies and future service infrastructures.
Space Governance
The module investigates the institutional architecture of global space governance, from UN bodies to regional and national frameworks. It compares differing governance visions among major space powers and emerging regions, addressing also the challenges surrounding the governance of lunar activities and suborbital flights. During the module, European governance is studied in detail, focusing on the roles of ESA, the EU, and member States.
Space Security
This module addresses the main security challenges facing assets in outer space, including counterspace threats and risks inherent to dual-use technologies. It investigates the current global situation on space security, and examines the policies, strategies and programmatic endeavors of major space powers around the world. Key topics include the conceptualization of space security, the prevention of conflictuality in space and the protection of space infrastructure.
Space Economy
This module explores the structure and evolution of the modern space economy, analyzing public and private investments in space as well as markets revenues and looking at the main sectors such as launch systems, satellite telecommunications, earth observation and low earth orbit or lunar economic activities. It looks into the evolution of the financing models, including venture capital and public-private investments, and the space insurance market. The module also addresses the socio-economic impact of space programs.
Public International Space Law
This module provides an in-depth overview of the international legal framework governing outer space, tracing its development from early treaty law to emerging soft law instruments. It addresses the legal status of space objects and actors, including the notions of jurisdiction, registration, and launch state, as well as the liability regime for damage caused by space activities. The course also examines thematic legal challenges such as space debris mitigation, orbital servicing, satellite-based services, and the use of space during armed conflicts. Legal norms applicable to space tourism, human presence in orbit, and the exploitation of celestial resources are explored through both global and national regulatory perspectives.
Administrative Law of Space Activities
This module explores the legal and procedural mechanisms through which States regulate and supervise space activities at the domestic level. It focuses on the structure and content of authorization regimes for space operations, including launches, satellite services, lunar missions, and the use of frequencies. Particular attention is given to the allocation of regulatory competences between legislative bodies and technical authorities, the management of cross-border regulatory conflicts, and public oversight mechanisms. The course also addresses strategic regulatory tools such as investment screening, dual-use export controls, and public procurement processes, including innovative contracting and public-private partnerships in the space sector.
Space Law in Europe
This module analyses the legal framework governing space activities at the regional level in Europe, focusing on ESA and the EU. It explores their legal nature, regulatory competences, rights and obligations both at the internal and international levels. Students will develop a deep understanding of specific legal issues, such as the procurement regimes of the two institutions, the rules on the management of the EU space assets, and the European regulation of foreign investments in the space domain.