Guest: Mark Sundahl. Topics: Commercial space law issues and more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. We welcomed Mark Sundahl back to the show to discuss current commercial space law issues, the recent FAA COMSTAC meeting, and more. During the first segment of our 1 hour 24 minute discussion, Mark talked about the recent FAA COMSTAC meeting held in Washington, DC. Mark focused on ITAR Reform in his summary. He discussed the reform measures taken last year but said they have yet to be implemented. Other topics in this segment included commercial space development, and the need for secrecy regarding space property rights issues for commercial space companies. He used space mining as an example. At one point he said it would be in a space mining company's interest to keep all their mining research secret to avoid any possibility of the space age equivalent of "claim jumping." Listeners sent in emails to ask our guest about the Cape Town Convention which is an international space treaty. Mr. Sundahl discussed the Cape Town Convention in some detail during the first part of the program. As part of this discussion, we talked about satellite financing, the liability treaty, the sale and transfer of satellites or using them for collateral for financing and the potential impacts of this per the U.S. ITAR. As this segment was ending, our guest addressed launch vehicle certification which may be required for operation in some European and foreign spaceports as compared to needing a launch license in the United State. In the second segment, Carnival Cruise Lines and their limited liability waiver and informed consent contract clauses were brought up by a listener who heard me mention the subject on the last open lines program. Mark had much to say about Carnival Cruise Lines as a potential indicator of what may happen with suborbital space tourism. Our guest was asked about the recently announced Inspiration Mars mission and if U.S. government regulations could prevent such a mission. Mark had much to say about human spaceflight regulations now and in the future. We also talked about the developing cubesat industry and Mark offered some concerns around space debris issues. As the program ended, we talked about new space law programs at various U.S. law schools and some differences and similarities with U.S. space and international space law. Please post your comments/questions on The Space Show blog above You can contact Mr. Sundahl through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.
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