Guest: Rosanna Sattler, Atty. Topics: spaceflight participants, informed consent, liability issues, assumption of risk. Rosanna Sattler returned for this Space Show program to discuss spaceflight liability for companies and spaceflight participants. Our discussion started out with an understanding of the various terrestrial liability, tort, and other laws in place that will likely apply to commercial spaceflight. This is an important show to listen to because it explains the existing body of applicable law to the emerging personal spaceflight industry in the context of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004. Contrary to the popular thinking of many, the industry is regulated, not so much on the federal level, but through the varying laws of the different states. In fact, you might find some of the issues about liability and jurisdiction to be more than confusing given the differences among states in their liability and related laws. This is a must hear program if you want to be clear thinking about this industry, be you a potential spaceflight participant, a spaceflight operator, or vehicle manufacturer. One of the issues that came up from listeners several times was the need for spaceflight participants to draw upon legal expertise in examining a company contract and the informed consent documentation that will be given to them. The body of law and regulations that will apply to the spaceflight and the liability, liability which may very well include the participant, is broad and variable depending on venue and jurisdictional issues. If you have comments or questions for Ms. Rosanna Sattler, please email her at rsattler@pbl.com and send a copy to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com . Thank you.
Guest
The Space Show
