Washington D.C.

The recent removal of a cosmonaut from SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission has drawn attention not for its diplomatic implications, but for what it signals about the tightening intersection of human spaceflight and national-security regulation. Reports indicate that the cosmonaut was withdrawn following an alleged violation of U.S. export-control rules, specifically, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations […]

  The Oman Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”) has formally published its directive on Airspace Usage for Launch Vehicle Activities. The directive provides the requirements for launch vehicle activities conducted within or from the territory of Oman. Complementing the directive is a six-page application for operators to seeking to perform a space activity in Oman to

The immense capital expenditure required to establish and maintain terrestrial space infrastructure has long represented a significant financial barrier for the commercial space industry. Historically, funding for such ambitious projects has been dependent on direct government contracts or the high-cost capital of venture equity markets. A pivotal change in United States federal tax law, however,

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to specialized platforms like ChatGPT or other large language models. Everyday business software—including common suites from Microsoft and Adobe—has begun integrating AI-driven features that may process, store, or learn from user input. This evolving landscape creates unique risk considerations regarding how confidential and sensitive data is handled. Organizations

  You probably saw it all over the news last week. Six brave women launched into space aboard Blue Origin’s self-flying rocket, NS-31, becoming America’s first all-female space crew in more than 60 years. Katy Perry’s rendition of “What a Wonderful World” echoed through the spacecraft. Gayle King reflected on society whilst floating in zero

  Transactional parties facing the newly announced tariffs by President Trump on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China must navigate a web of legal, commercial, and logistical issues. The tariffs, set to go into effect on February 4, 2025, impose an additional 25% ad valorem duty on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10% on

  In October 2024 the the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposed amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) aimed at updating and streamlining controls on spacecraft and related items. Simultaneously, the Department of State is proposing revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) concerning U.S. Munitions List (USML) Categories

  The world of maritime trade is no stranger to change, but recent events have stirred the waters in unprecedented ways. The Flying Fish 1, a 4,890 TEU container ship, has made headlines as the largest vessel of its kind to traverse the Arctic waters, charting a course from Europe to China. This remarkable journey

Few cases stand out as starkly as the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) v. NASA. The case, heard by the Iran-US Claims Tribunal (IUSCT) in 1984 dealt with the often misunderstood concept of “earnest money” within the context of space launch negotiations. The case highlights the critical importance of understanding contractual obligations and the risks inherent

As the commercial space flight industry continues to expand, the nature of liability within this domain presents challenges that are distinctly different from those faced in more established industries. While certain principles, such as the need for robust contracts and clear indemnification clauses, are universal, the specific hazards, regulatory requirements, and the sheer novelty of