Overview

The aims of this unit are to provide the student with a foundational understanding of the International & Domestic Legal frameworks relevant to space operations and research in Australia and a basic understanding of what factors shape current and future space activities.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of International and Domestic legal frameworks applicable to Australian Space Operations
  • Appraise the legal challenges and locate relevant applicable legal and regulatory instruments related to space research and operations in Australia
  • Assess and explain the role of institutional stakeholders for space operations globally.
  • Apply intermediate level knowledge of practical legal aspects of space activities to describe effective ways to minimize project risks
  • Develop and evaluate solutions to relevant problems and challenges in the field of space research and operations

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online Contact (Phasing out)
Synchronous Tutorials		1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		11.50 12 weeks 138
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online DiscussionIndividual 10 - 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
Online QuizzesIndividual 10 - 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
PortfolioIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

This unit is comprised of 2 components, Part A & Part B- each run for 6 weeks for a total of 12 weeks

Part A

  • Past and present geopolitical context in which space activities are undertaken in Australia and internationally
  • Political and economic drivers behind space infrastructure, private investment and technology development for public & commercial space activities
  • Basic International and domestic legal frameworks governing space operations 
  • Practical legal aspects of space activities including but not limited to export control, contracts, intellectual property, cybersecurity, spectrum regulations, orbital slot allocation, dispute resolution in space.
  • Global Socioeconomic factors related to space activities
  • Ethical aspects of Space policy, economics & law

Part B

  • Detailed International and Domestic institutional structures and regulatory frameworks related to space operations in the Australian context
  • Military use of space and dual use technology
  • Societal impacts, justification and benefits of the use of space technology in Australia
  • Current regulatory issues related to space operations including space debris, cybersecurity, privacy, space situational awareness, liability in the Australian context

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.