17 March 2015 | CIL Seminar Series
Macro Liability Problems for Singaporean Microsatellites
Introduction
When the international legal principles concerning responsibility and liability flowing from space activities were first developed, including the launch and operation of satellites in orbit, there were a number of concepts that were somewhat beyond the contemplation of the diplomats and lawyers that formulated them in the 1960s. These concepts, such as satellites that are privately owned and operated, satellites that belong to multinational businesses or operations, and the launching of microsatellites, picosatellites, and nanosatellites that ‘piggyback’ off other launches, have posed significant problems for lawyers and policymakers alike.
One significant reason why the problems posed by these innovations in space utilisation have not caused any substantial difficulties is the absence of any major accidents involving them. Singapore has become a significant player in the development and launch of small satellites, with past and planned future launches of microsatellites developed by the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, for example. However, they are being launched into an unknown legal environment that presents liability risks to the operators and the Singapore Government.
This seminar discussed the international obligations imposed on Singapore and how, in the event of a major accident, the Singapore Government and the satellite operator may be exposed to liability risks in Singapore and elsewhere.
Handout and Presentation
Presentation (PDF)
Handout (PDF)
About the Speaker
Dr Ricky J. Lee has a Ph.D. in International Law from Murdoch University (Perth), an LL.M. in International law from the Australian National University (Canberra), and a LL.B.(Hons.) and B.A.(Int.St.)(Hons.) from the University of Adelaide. He is completing a Master of International Taxation from the University of New South Wales (Sydney), and a Graduate Diploma in Chinese Business Law from the University of Western Australia (Perth).
In addition to his role as the Managing Partner of Globalex Tax + Legal, an Australia-based international commercial law firm, he is the Executive Director and Senior Fellow of the International Air and Space Law Academy, a Fellow of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, a Fellow of the Commercial Law Association of Australia, and a member of the space law or international law committees of the International Law Association, the International Bar Association, and the Law Council of Australia.
Dr Lee has worked in commercial practice since 1998 and is a former university lecturer in air and space law, commercial law, international business law, public international law, European law, and Asian law. He has published over 50 articles on space law, international law, technology law, and commercial law. He has also presented over 60 papers at various international conferences, including the United Nations Workshops on Space Law.
He is the author or co-author of a number of books and monographs, the latest one to be published being Law and Regulation of Commercial Mining of Minerals in Outer Space, published by Springer in 2012.
