International Law & Satellite Governance Database

• UN 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space — Outer Space Treaty →
• UN 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space — Rescue Agreement →
• UN 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage caused by Space Objects — Liability Convention →
• UN 1975 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space — Registration Convention →

• IADC 2002 Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines — link → · summary →
• UNIDROIT 2012 Draft Protocol on Matters specific to Space Assets — link →
• UNOOSA / ITU 2015 Guidance on Space Object Registration and Frequency Management for Small and Very Small Satellites — link →
• UN 2020 COPUOS "Space2030" Agenda and Implementation Plan — link →
• UN 2021 Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities Guidelines — link →

• UN 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 — link →
• ILC Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters — link →
• UN General Assembly Resolution, December 2024 — connectivity as a human right in humanitarian emergencies — link →
• FCC 2024 authorisation of SpaceX direct-to-device satellite connectivity for disaster response — link →

• ITU 1992 Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union — link →
• ITU 2002 Telecommunications Convention — link →
• ITU 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) Final Acts — link → · explanatory note →
• ITU 2020 Radio Regulations — link →
• ITU 2021 GSR-21 Best Practice Guidelines — link →
• ITU 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) — link →

• EU 1985 Convention Establishing the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (EUTELSAT) — link →
• EU 2018 Directive 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code — link →
• EU 2021 Starlink EU/UK/EEA Privacy Policy — link →
• EU IRIS² initiative — link →
• EU Space Act (proposed) — link →

• WTO 1994 General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) — link →
• WTO 1994 GATS Annex on Telecommunications — link →
• WTO 1994 Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services — link →

• ESA 1980 Convention of the European Space Agency — link →
• ESA 2014 Space Debris Mitigation Policy for Agency Projects — link →
• ISO 2019 ISO 24113: Space debris mitigation requirements — link →

• UNOOSA — Office for Outer Space Affairs — link →
• COPUOS — Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space — link →
• ITU — International Telecommunication Union — link →
• UNDRR — UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction — link →
• IGF — Internet Governance Forum — link →

United Kingdom

• UK 1986 Outer Space Act — link →
• UK 2018 Space Industry Act — link →
• UK 2022 OFCOM Space Spectrum Strategy — link →
• UK OFCOM Licensing Procedures Manual for Satellite (Non-Geostationary Earth Station) Applications — link →
• UK OFCOM Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings — link →
• UK Space Agency resources — link →

European states — national space laws

• Sweden 1982 Act on Space Activities — link →
• Belgium 2005 Law on Activities Relating to the Launch, Flight Operations or Guidance of Space Objects (revised 2013) — link →
• Netherlands 2007 Space Activities Act — link →
• France 2008 Space Operations Act — link →
• Austria 2011 Outer Space Act — link →
• Denmark 2016 Outer Space Act — link →
• Luxembourg 2017 Law on the Exploration and Use of Space Resources — link →
• Finland 2018 Act on Space Activities — link →
• Portugal 2019 Space Activities Law — link →
• Germany 2021 Satellite Data Security Act — link →
• Slovakia 2024 Act on the Regulation of Space Activities — link →

Reference

• UNOOSA National Space Law Database — comprehensive repository of all national space laws worldwide — link →

• US Congressional Research Service Report: Low Earth Orbit Satellites: Potential to Address the Broadband Digital Divide — link →
• US Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices — link →
• US Department of State Guidance on Implementing the UN Guiding Principles for Transactions Linked to Foreign Government End-Users for Products or Services with Surveillance Capabilities — link →
• FCC 2024 authorisation of SpaceX direct-to-device satellite connectivity for disaster response — link →
• Australia 2018 Space (Launches and Returns) Act — link →
• New Zealand 2017 Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act — link →

• CN 2021 China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective (White Paper) — link →
• China Guowang (GW) satellite constellation programme — SpaceNews →

• UAE Federal Decree Law No. 46 of 2023 on the Organization of the Space Sector — one of the most comprehensive national space laws globally, requiring UAE Space Agency authorisation for all space activities by UAE nationals and entities — official portal →
• UAE Cabinet Decision No. 18/2023 — Authorisation Regulation — analysis →
• UAE Cabinet Decision No. 19/2023 — Space Resources Regulation: one of the first laws globally to grant operators ownership rights over resources extracted from space
• UAE Cabinet Decision No. 21/2023 — Administrative Penalty Regime for space sector violations
• UAE National Space Fund 2022 — AED 3bn fund to develop national space sector infrastructure — link →
• Yahsat / Thuraya / Space42 — UAE satellite operators and emerging LEO constellation plans — link →

Russia

• Russian Federation 1993 Law on Space Activity — UNOOSA →
• Russia State Duma proposed fines for use of foreign satellite internet services (Starlink, OneWeb), 2021 — link →
• Russia Sfera satellite constellation programme 2017–2030 — Wikipedia →
• Russia / Iran joint submission to COPUOS, February 2024: accusing Starlink of violating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — link →
• Russia / Iran successful inclusion of "unauthorized satellite operations" as Agenda Item 1.5 at WRC-23, 2023 — TechPolicy.Press →

Iran

• Iran 2023 ITU complaint against SpaceX for unauthorized Starlink operation — ITU Radio Regulations Board ruling in Iran's favour, October 2023 and March 2024 — Freedom House →
• Iran / Russia joint escalation to WRC-23: Agenda Item 1.13 for WRC-27 on regulatory frameworks for Non-Geostationary Satellite Systems — TechPolicy.Press →
• Iran parliament law criminalising unlicensed satellite internet services including Starlink, June 2025 — bne IntelliNews →
• Iran draft anti-espionage law: death penalty for use of Starlink for espionage, 2025 — Iran International →
• Iran 2026 internet shutdown and Starlink disruption analysis — TechPolicy.Press →

• Byers, M., & Boley, A. (2023). Who Owns Outer Space? International Law, Astrophysics, and the Sustainable Development of Space. Cambridge University Press. Open Access →
• Kulesza, J., & Akcali Gur, B. (eds.) (2025). Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites. University of Łódź Press. Open Access →
• von der Dunk, F.G., & Tronchetti, F. (eds.) (2015). Handbook of Space Law. Edward Elgar. link →
• von der Dunk, F.G. (ed.) (2018). International Space Law. Edward Elgar. link →
• Schrogl, K.-U. et al. (eds.) (2020). Handbook of Space Security: Policies, Applications and Programs (2nd ed.). Springer. link →
• Balleste, R. (2015). Internet Governance: Origins, Current Issues, and Future Possibilities. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Kulesza, J., & Balleste, R. (eds.) (2015). Cybersecurity and Human Rights in the Age of Cyberveillance. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Kulesza, J. (2016). Due Diligence in International Law. Brill.
• Jakhu, R.S., & Freeland, S. (eds.) (2022). McGill Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space: Volume I — Rules. McGill University Centre for Research in Air and Space Law. — 52 rules adopted by consensus by over 80 international experts; the world's first manual on peacetime military uses of outer space. Download → · Project page →
• DeNardis, L. (2014). The Global War for Internet Governance. Yale University Press. link →
• DeNardis, L. (2020). The Internet in Everything: Freedom and Security in a World with No Off Switch.  Yale University Press.
• Musiani, F., Cogburn, D.L., DeNardis, L., & Levinson, N.S. (eds.) (2016). The Turn to Infrastructure in Internet Governance. Palgrave Macmillan. link →
• Marboe, I. (ed.) (2012). Soft Law in Outer Space: The Function of Non-binding Norms in International Space Law. Böhlau Verlag.
• Marboe, I. (ed.) (2016). Small Satellites: Regulatory Challenges and Chances. Brill.
• Froehlich, A. (ed.) (2020). Legal Aspects Around Satellite Constellations. Studies in Space Policy, vol. 19. Springer.

• Akcali Gur, B., & Kulesza, J. (2025). "The EU's dual policy dilemma: Orbital sustainability and digital autonomy policies intertwined." Space Policy. DOI →
• Akcali Gur, B., & Kulesza, J. (2024). "Equitable access to satellite broadband services: Challenges and opportunities for developing countries." Telecommunications Policy. link →
• Akcali Gur, B., & Kulesza, J. (2023). "Activated! Public dissent, internet access and satellite broadband." Internet Policy Review, vol. 12. link →
• Balleste, R. (2025). "Low Orbit Blues: The Noir in Cybersecurity." In Kulesza, J. & Akcali Gur, B. (eds.), Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites. University of Łódź Press.
• Balleste, R. (2022). "The Law of Space Cyber Operations: Gripping Mysteries, Entangled Frontiers, and Security Challenges." 13 Case Western Journal of Law, Technology & The Internet 146. link →
• Balleste, R. (2022). "A Walk in the Dark and the Law of Satellite Mega-constellations." 73 Proceedings of the International Institute of Space Law 197.
• Balleste, R., & Kulesza, J. (2013). "Signs and Portents in Cyberspace: The Rise of Jus Internet as New Order in International Law." 23 Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal 1311. link →
• Balleste, R. (2021). "Cyber Conflicts in Outer Space: Lessons from SCADA Cybersecurity." 8 Emory Corporate Governance and Accountability Review 1.
• Cesari, L., & Blount, P.J. (2023). "Coexisting in Low-Earth Orbit: Large Constellations and Cybersecurity Governance." 48 Air and Space Law, Special Issue, 137–154. link →
• Cesari, L., Bonnart, S. et al. (2022). "Cybersecurity Threats to Space: From Conception to the Aftermaths." In Blount, P.J. (ed.), Space Law in a Networked World. — chapter on space cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the legal framework.
• Cesari, L. (2023). "Commercial Space Operators on the Digital Battlefield." CIGI Essay Series: Cybersecurity and Outer Space. link →
• Cesari, L. (2024). "Developing an EU Space Law: the process of harmonising national regulations." ResearchGate. link →
• DeNardis, L. (2012). "Hidden Levers of Internet Control: An Infrastructure-Based Theory of Internet Governance." Information, Communication & Society, 15(3). link →
• Housen-Couriel, D. (2016). "Cybersecurity threats to satellite communications: Towards a typology of state actor responses." 128 Acta Astronautica 409. link →
• Larsen, P.B. (2019). "Outer Space: How Shall the World's Governments Establish Order among Competing Interests." 29 Washington International Law Journal 1. link →
• Larsen, P.B. (2017). "Small Satellite Legal Issues." 82 Journal of Air Law and Commerce 275. link →
• Rivière, A. (2020). "The Rise of the LEO: Is There a Need to Create a Distinct Legal Regime for Constellations of Satellites?" In Froehlich, A. (ed.), Legal Aspects Around Satellite Constellations. Springer. link →
• Steer, C. (2019). "Who Has the Power? A Critical Perspective on Space Governance and New Entrants to the Space Sector." 48 Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law. link →
• Steer, C. (2020). "Why Outer Space Matters for National and International Security." Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School.  link →
• von der Dunk, F.G. (2020). "Structuring the Governance of Space Activities Worldwide." 48 Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law 645. link →
• von der Dunk, F.G. "International Satellite Law." Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. link →
• Zelnio, R.J. (2007). "Whose jurisdiction over the US commercial satellite industry? Factors affecting international security and competition." 23 Space Policy 221. link →

• Livingstone, D., & Lewis, P. (2016). Space, the Final Frontier for Cybersecurity? Chatham House. — foundational report on satellite vulnerability to cyberattack and supply chain security. link →
• York, D. et al. (2022). Perspectives on LEO Satellites. Internet Society Foundation. — foundational policy report on LEO satellite governance, open access. Download → · Report page →
• NIST IR 8270 (2023). Introduction to Cybersecurity for Commercial Satellite Operations. link →
• Bird & Bird (2023). "Space and Satellite Wrap Up — Legal and Regulatory Developments in 2023." link →
• BCG (2024). "Regulating the Next Generation of Satellites." link →
• Chambers & Partners (2024). Space Law 2024 Global Practice Guide. link →
• Freedom House (2024). Iran: Freedom on the Net 2024. link →
• Lieber Institute, West Point (2024). "Can Starlink Satellites Be Lawfully Targeted?" link →
• Akcali Gur, B., Bonsall, J., Epstein, D., Kim, J.S., Krysiak, M., Kulesza, J., Pecova-Ilieska, L., Piasecki, M., Rabouam, C.R., Radu, R., Stachoń, M., Sukma, I.M., Wang, L., & York, D. (2025). "From Łódź to Geneva: On the Future of Satellite Internet." — SSIGIL 2025 final document, contributed to the WSIS+20 review process. Download PDF →
• TechPolicy.Press (2025). "Global Fight Over Who Governs Communications Satellites Heats Up." link →
• Chatham House (2025). "Securing the Space-Based Assets of NATO Members from Cyberattacks." link →
• ENISA (2025). Space Threat Landscape Report. link →
• Norton Rose Fulbright. Global Outer Space Guide: United Arab Emirates. link →
• TechPolicy.Press (2026). "What Iran's Internet Shutdown Reveals About Starlink." link →
• UNIDIR Space Security Programme — ongoing research on space threats, norms, and responsible state behaviour. link →
• Schrogl, K.-U. (ed.). Yearbook on Space Policy. Springer/ESPI. — annual reference publication analysing space policy developments. link →