Dear IISL Members,
This newsletter informs you on IISL related activities at this year's IAC in Sydney!
Programme overview
We have the IAC Colloquium coming up from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October 2025. We are also holding two lunch events with General Counsels and the IISL Working Group on Legal Aspects of AI in Space along with a discussion of ecocide.
The annual IISL Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, 2 October, following the Finals of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. The IISL Board Meeting will be held on Monday 29 September ahead of the first Opening Session of the IISL Colloquium.
Presenters' deadlines
If you are presenting at this year's IAC, note that the deadline for uploading manuscripts in on 12 September 2025; the deadline for uploading presentation slides is on the session date.
IAC schedule
Monday, 29 September | | |
9:30-11:00 | Opening Ceremony | |
11:00-15:00 | IISL Board Meeting | Room E5.4 |
12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
15:30-18:00 | E7.1: Young Scholars Session with Keynote Lecture | Room C2.3 |
Tuesday, 30 September | | |
10:15-12:45 | E7.2: Threat and Use of Force in the Context of Space Activities | Room C2.3 |
12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
14:00-15:00 | Lunch Event: General Counsel Roundtable | Room C2.3 |
15:00-17:30 | E7.3: Sustainability and Outer Space Law | Room C2.3 |
Wednesday, 1 October | | |
10:15-12:45 | E7.4: Small Satellites, Public and Private Law Perspectives | Room C2.3 |
12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
13:00-14:30 | Lunch Event: AI and Ecocide (space law and ecocide law) & IISL Members gathering | Room C2.3 |
15:00-17:30 | E7.5: Legal Impact of Scientific Investigation on the Protection of Intellectual Property | Room C2.3 |
15:00-16:10 | E3: Special Session - The Ethics of Space in our Connected World: How Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Legal and ethical rules impact on space operations and activities? | Room: C4.4 |
Thursday, 2 October | | |
10:15-12:45 | E7.6-E3.5: 39th IAA/IISL Scientific Legal Roundtable: Lunar Operations and Orbital Management: Governance in Cislunar Space | Room C2.3 |
13:30–14:50 | IP Session | |
15:00-18:00 | IISL MLMC World Finals | |
19:30-23:00 | IISL Awards Dinner | Dockside Restaurant |
Friday, 3 October | | |
10:15-12:45 | E7.7: Climate Change of the Earth Reflected in Space Law | Room C2.3 |
12:45–13:45 | IP Session | |
IP Sessions
This year, there are over 30 IISL presentations in interactive presentation format. The format is growing - be heartily invited to attend these presentations too.
Info on the IAC 2025 Interactive Presentations & IP Award Ceremony is available here:
https://www.iafastro.org/news/...
IISL Lunchtime events
During this year’s IAC in Sydney, IISL will hold two special lunch time events: a General Counsel Roundtable and a presentation of featured work under IISL showcasing impact and new perspectives, including ecocide under space law and ecocide law.
General Counsel Roundtable
On Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 13-14 h in Room C2.3 (E.7)
For this event, General Counsels from agencies and ministries are invited for a roundtable discussion of current issues General Counsels are dealing with.
IISL Lunchtime Event: IISL Impact and New Perspectives
On Wednesday, 1 October 2025 at 13-14 h in Room C2.3 (E.7)
Tuana Yazici, Chair of the IISL Working Group on the Legal Aspects of AI in Space, presents updates on the group’s recent international work and the evolving impact of their published report, following high-level presentations at global forums. Her remarks also explore next steps for advancing AI regulation in space through a balanced approach to innovation and responsibility.
Anna Maddrick, Legal Analyst and Diplomatic Liaison at Stop Ecocide International (SEI), introduces the concept of ecocide within the context of space law - offering an exciting new lens through which to engage with the broader ethical and legal frontiers of outer space.
Both events are open to IISL Members and IAC participants.
Light refreshments will be served.
Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition Finals
During IAC, the World Final of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (ADMETUS v CRONUS - Case Concerning the Legality of Space Activities in Conflicts) will be held in the Banco Court of the NSW Supreme Court at 15:00-18:00 h on Thursday 2 October. We hope to see many IISL members at the World Final to ‘cheer on’ the competing teams.
As usual, we are honoured by the presence of three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice to again judge in the World Final. The three Judges will be:
Judge Bogdan-Lucian Aurescu (Romania)
Judge Dire Tladi (South Africa)
Judge Peter Tomka (Slovakia)
