The third Eilene M. Galloway Symposium on Critical Issues in Space Law was held in Washington DC on 11 December 2008. The event was organised and sponsored by the IISL with the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law (University of Mississippi), the Journal of Space Law, and Arianespace, Inc.

The symposium was held in honour of Dr Eilene Galloway, who was one of the leading participants in the legislative process leading to the establishment of NASA in 1958 and has subsequently become one of the great contributors to the evolution of space law through the UN space treaties of the 1960s and 1970s and beyond. Dr Eilene Galloway also has been a Member of the Board of the IISL from the very beginning, and currently holds the title of Honorary Director.

The symposium's theme was "Art. VI of the Outer Space Treaty: Issues and Implementation". During the negotiations leading to the final text of this Treaty, the question was raised whether both governments and nongovernmental actors could be recognised as legitimate space actors. Article VI, stating that "activities of non-governmental entities shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty" is the compromise that recognises both as legitimate space actors. The symposium addressed some of the issues and practices that have arisen in this context since the entry into force of the Treaty.

Presentations:

Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz - Overview of State Responsibility in a Global Commons

Frans von der Dunk - Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty in the ‘European’ Context

Ram Jakhu - Implementation of Art. VI of the Outer Space Treaty in North America

Tanja Masson-Zwaan - Art. VI of the Outer Space Treaty and Private Human Access to Space

Philipe Clerc - French Implementation of Outer Space Treaty Art. VI under Space Operations Act June 3, 2008

Margaret Roberts - Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty: Issues and Implementation

Glenn Tallia - NOAA’s Implementation of Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty with Respect to Commercial Remote Sensing

Richard Crowther - Space Licensing: UK Perspective

Michael Dodge - Selected Findings from the Andrew G. Haley Archive: The Work Product of the World’s First Space Lawyer

Richard DalBello - Data Sharing for Space Situational Awareness: Government Responsibility Under Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty