On 20 June 2025 the launch event of the Space Law & Sustainability Center will take place. This launch will be marked by an international conference aimed at defining “space sustainability” as a matter of international security. In the context of rapidly expanding space activities, urgent challenges have emerged—ranging from the accumulation of orbital debris and the militarisation of space to the commercialisation of space resources without adequate regulatory oversight.
Alongside national and international experts, we will examine the provisions of the Pact of the Future, a landmark UN Resolution A/RES/79/1 adopted in September 2024, referring among others to the need of new frameworks concerning space debris, space traffic management and space resources.
The conference will also present a set of critical and innovative assessments concerning the adoption of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies in outer space as well as a series of multidisciplinary approaches to space sustainability.
Alongside national and international experts we will discuss the following topics:
- European perspectives (legal & technical) on space sustainability & security
- Future frameworks in line with the United Nations Pact for the Future
- Artificial Intelligence & quantum tech for space security: legal implications
- Interdisciplinary approaches to space sustainability
- International collaboration for sustainable & secure space
Programme
EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES ON SPACE SUSTAINABILITY & SECURITY: INSIGHTS FROM THE NETHERLANDS, EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The panel showcases essential contributions to space sustainability and security from the Netherlands, European Space Agency, European Commission and the European private sector, D-Orbit.
Moderator:
Ioana Bratu (VU Amsterdam)
Speakers:
Semra Turkalp (Royal Netherlands Air Force)
Dorota Englender (European Space Agency)
Vera Pinto (European Commission)
Catherine Doldirina (D-Orbit)
FUTURE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS FOR SPACE SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY
The round table aims to explore the provisions of from the Pact of the Future and shapes a first international discussion on the future frameworks on space security and sustainability. It will also include a discussion of how Europe might contribute to realising the provisions of Action 56 from the Pact of the Future.
Moderator:
Ioana Bratu (VU Amsterdam)
Discussants:
Frans von der Dunk (Nebraska University; Black Holes)
P.J. Blount (Durham University)
Olga Batura (TNO)
Matthew Gillett (University of Essex; United Nations)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & QUANTUM COMPUTING: TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR SPACE SECURITY
The panel aims to critically assess the status-quo of technological innovation with a particular focus on AI and quantum computing and to analyse the existing legal framework and the upcoming legal frameworks (e.g. the AI Act, the EU Quantum Act).
Moderator:
Ioana Bratu (VU Amsterdam)
Speakers:
Thomas Graham (Swinburne University of Technology; AI ∞ SpaceLaw Society)
Georgios Kyriakopoulos (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; AI ∞ SpaceLaw Society)
Ingo Baumann (BHO)
Laetitia Cesari (Luxembourg University; AI ∞ SpaceLaw Society)
MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES FOR SHAPING SPACE SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable development on Earth and the sustainability of space activities have largely been treated as separate issues, even though they are increasingly inter-related and inter-dependent for their realisation. This roundtable aims to address the need for addressing the concept of sustainability holistically – on Earth and in space and discuss the implications for space governance. The inter-relation of the 3S – Safety – Security – Sustainability concepts will also be addressed.
Moderator:
Rak Kim (Utrecht University)
Discussants:
Victoria Samson (Space Security and Stability for Secure World Foundation)
Xiao-Shan Yap (Utrecht University, PI Planet Stewards)
Florian Rabitz (Kaunas University of Technology; Earth System Governance Project)
Swarnajyoti Mukherjee (European Space Agency)
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE SPACE
This panel will showcase additional global and cross-continental perspectives for sustainable and secure space operations. It will demonstrate the need for global cooperation for an integrated approach to space sustainability and security.
Moderator:
Ioana Bratu (VU Amsterdam)
Speakers:
Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UNIDIR)
Rachael Olore (Kenya Space Agency)
Nayoung Youn (Korea Aerospace Research Institute)
Diego Alvarez (Niubox Digital)
Find more information about the programme here.