Guest: Michael Listner; Topics: Space policy and law review for 2019 plus a look ahead to policy and law for 2020.
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We welcomed back Michael Listner to this Sunday, two segment 2 hour and 3 minute discussion reviewing space policy and laws for 2019 and then taking a look ahead to see what is on the drawing board for 2020. Note that the during the break between segments 1 and 2 I read our sponsor messages. If you want to be a Space Show sponsor for 2020 with the banner ad, please contact me at drspace@thespaceshow.com
Michael provided us with a comprehensive review of policy and space law for 2019. Our guest started out by talking about the United Nations Space Sustainability Guidelines which I asked him to explain to us as I was not familiar with them (see his blog post). Next, I asked Michael to tell us what he thought were the biggest space law and/or policy flops for 2019. He talked about domestic commercial space laws still pending in congress that went nowhere during the year. He spent sometime talking about two different bills by different sponsors. He said both were similar but neither had any traction. Michael then mentioned the need for satellite servicing rules. Adrian sent in an email and said the Space Force was a boondoggle during the year. There was disagreement with him on that as well as his classifying X-37B the same.
Listener Todd asked about space property rights. This prompted Michael to legally define property rights and discuss each category. Marshall called to talk about space law and what federal court or other jurisdiction might have supervision over a space law issue. Don't miss Michael's detailed discussion on this subject. The Outer Space Treaty factored in did the Torts Claim Act .
We commenced with the second segment after I read our sponsor messages. Again, don't forget to support The Space Show this year as time is getting short. If you are interested in being a sponsor, email me at drspace@thespaceshow.com. We need your help to be a solid broadcaster about space for 2020.
For the second segment, Michael had much to say about space resources both in domestic and the growing international segment of law. He mentioned the UAE, UN, Luxembourg and others entering into the resource discussion. China and the Russian Federation were also mentioned as was Article 11 of the Moon Treaty. Our guest talked about probable US push back around June in these areas. Michael switched over to talking about international concerns with nuclear power in space, saying we have not signed onto any limiting space nuclear power United Nations or other documents. Before moving on, Linda asked Michael if he thought space would be a political campaign issue this year here in the U.S. Michael said no.
This latter item opened up a new discussion theme about space law as a tool of war. Michael explained what he meant and then we planned for a full program with him early in the year to discuss this concept further. Stay tuned for more details. Tim called wanting to know more about space nuclear power. He said he had heard rumors that Sen. Shelby might retire and that started a discussion about SLS and will it be cancelled. After Tim called, Dr. Doug called in on the SLS topic but first Michael, as a result of another listener email, defined what space was plus the different legal like definitions of space. Don't miss this short discussion. As for Doug's call, he as have many others, suggested that when Starship becomes active and shows it to be more economic than SLS, it might be easier to get rid of SLS. I brought up a 2018 interview program with Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline who when asked this question, provided what I think has been the best response so far as to why it won't be cancelled. Marcia talked about the difference of a government missioned and available rockets as compared to having to go to the private sector for a rocket for government needs. I urged Doug, Michael and everyone to hear what Marcia said. The program was Feb. 26, 2018, #3070. Here is the URL: https://thespaceshow.com/show/26-feb-2018/broadcast-3070-marcia-smith. .
As we were nearing the end of the program, Ft. Worth John called wanting to talk about an upcoming AF SSP demo project. Following that call, Ft. Worth John called to gloat and vindicate himself over SLS. We ended the program talking about national security, more about law as a weapon like tool, plus a quick mention about hypersonics.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog. You can reach Michael Listner through his website at www.spacelawsolutions.com or through me. Be sure to check out his excellent newsletter, The Precis at www.spacelawsolutions.com/the-pr-cis-.html.
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