The rapid evolution of space activities in the new Millenium, with the entry of further, non-traditional commercial space enterprises, and the increase in automated systems relying on artificial intelligence for space activities, require a comprehensive interpretation of the treaty provisions, whilst having regard to competing and divergent rules of national legislation. The five UN space treaties, and the principles they enshrine, provide the fundamental framework for the peaceful use and exploration of outer space.
The challenges in formulating and implementing provisions to accommodate these developments are vast, not least given the plans for human life beyond Earth. These challenges range from international standardization, to accommodating Al within space governance and national space operations licensing regimes, insurance and risk management perspectives.
A review of the application of the treaties and their implementation requires an interdisciplinary approach, in which industry, academia and decision-makers are brought together to ensure a holistic review of the regulation and use of outer space. Multilateral processes such as the Five Treaties Working Group of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), and the newly formed Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation (ATLAC) aim to address this need.
These challenges are looked at during the talk from the perspective of new space operations, private sector engagement, to emerging ethical, environmental, and liability concerns.
Lesley Jane Smith, graduate of Edinburgh University and solicitor, is partner and legal advisor in Weber-Steinhaus & Smith, Bremen and Professor Emeritus of Law at Leuphana University, Lueneburg, Lower Saxony. Lesley Jane is an expert in the field of national regional and international space law and policy, collaborating with its stakeholders at industrial and agency level. With long-standing experience as legal advisor within the European space programs, largely relating to industrial contracts and procurement, she contributes to the regulatory dialogue on commercial aspects of space operations. She has extensive publications on the interface between space law and commercial operations, and is a frequent contributor to research studies relating to issues such as debris-related risk and space traffic management. Alternate to the Industrial Ombudsman of the European Space Agency ESA (IOE) until end of 2024 and former Honorary General Counsel of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Paris, Lesley Jane was appointed President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) in October 2025. She is a full member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), a Member of the Working Group in Impact of Space on the atmosphere of the Leopoldina German Academy of Sciences, and is an international Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). She has dual British German nationality and is fluent in the main European languages. She is editor in chief of the Routledge Handbook of Commercial Space Law, Taylor & Francis, 2024.
