Stanford Regulation College has revealed the primary version of Stanford Space Law & Policy Perspectives, a brand new student-run journal designed to form conversations in regards to the fast-changing panorama of area regulation and governance. The launch, introduced on 22 August, marks what the organisers name a “first-of-its-kind” initiative for authorized scholarship on the intersection of know-how, defence, and outer area.
Shaped below the Stanford Area Regulation Society, the journal displays a rising consciousness that area regulation should hold tempo with speedy commercialisation, mega-constellation deployments, and the rise of personal actors in conflicts. The publication is open to contributions from college students, teachers, and practitioners.
“Area, area objects, and human interplay with area all possess distinctive traits… fascinated about these subjects and resolving their challenges would require data far exceeding the regulation alone,” wrote Cody Wang Chenxi, one of many founding editors, within the opening article.
5 Articles Outline the First Version
The debut quantity brings collectively 5 items of analysis and commentary, every tackling a urgent challenge in area governance:
The Launch of Area Regulation & Coverage Views – Written by Cody Wang Chenxi, this text explains the origins of the journal and Stanford’s lengthy custom of involvement in pioneering area analysis, from CubeSats to astronaut alumni.
Authorized Origins of the Strategic Funding Improve Program – Dr Dan Berkenstock traces the historical past of the U.S. Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis programme and its STRATFI extension, which has channelled billions into defence-tech startups. With the programme’s reauthorisation due in September 2025, Berkenstock highlights key legislative debates on its future.
Leveraging Synthetic Intelligence to Empower Intelligence Evaluation within the Area Area – Lt Col Marquay Edmondson explores how AI will help course of huge quantities of satellite tv for pc and sensor knowledge, giving militaries a decisive benefit in understanding adversary behaviour and stopping “operational shock.”
Who Takes Out the Trash in Area? – Grace Kim and Laurel Kim look at the mounting drawback of orbital particles and its authorized implications. With tens of 1000’s of objects in orbit and no binding worldwide regulation on particles removing, the authors argue that present legal responsibility frameworks are insufficient.
How Silicon Valley’s Satellites Can Be Focused – Lt Col Matthew Zellner and Samantha Potter analyse whether or not business satellites like Starlink, when utilized in struggle, can legally be attacked. They argue that below the Geneva Conventions, such techniques might represent reputable army targets, elevating pressing questions on personal firms’ position in fashionable battle.
Shaping the Way forward for Area Governance
The Stanford Area Regulation Society was based in 2024 to broaden pupil engagement in outer area regulation and coverage. The editorial board says it hopes the journal will present a platform for “new voices” and appeal to contributions from throughout disciplines, not solely regulation.
The launch additionally underscores the urgency of updating outdated frameworks such because the 1967 Outer Area Treaty. As business and army exercise in orbit accelerates, questions of legal responsibility, safety, and sustainability are more and more urgent.
