A sky full of… Events: The 2023/2024 academic year in review
João Nuno Frazão
The academic year that is now coming to an end was full of important milestones in which several of SPARC’s members were involved and which are worth highlighting. Alongside the academic commitments of each individual member, in particular the preparation and writing of doctoral theses in Space Law, the planning and management of SPARC events, as well as ongoing professional commitments, the 2023/2024 academic year was, like the previous six, marked by appearances at conferences, seminars and other events. Nevertheless, the major emphasis of the last twelve months has been the results of the effort put into scientific production, with the publication of important articles and papers, truly unique within the Portuguese academic community. Besides those listed, there are several more awaiting their publication, which is expected to happen during the next academic year.
Last but not least, is the work carried out by SPARC’s coordinators in discussing, negotiating and concluding partnerships and cooperation agreements with public entities, which we shall announce in due course, a strategic aspect to consolidate SPARC as a unique knowledge centre in Portugal and in the Portuguese-speaking world.
SPARC will be back in 2024/2025 with its Space Law Course and will launch many more projects. Ad astra!
Conferences and Events
- João Marques de Azevedo, Speaker at the Congress on Space Law, with the topic “Legal Challenges of Space Resource Activities”, ELSA U.Coimbra (org.), Coimbra, 26 October 2023
- João Nuno Frazão, Speaker at the Congress on Space Law, with the topic “International liability for damage caused by space objects”, promoted by ELSA U.Coimbra, 26 October 2023
- João Nuno Frazão, Speaker at the Postgraduate Program in Aerospace Sciences, Brazilian Air Force Academy (Brazil) on “Portuguese space activities in the context of national security and defense” as well as on “Space activities in the context of the EU and NATO” (online), 16 November 2023
- João Marques de Azevedo, Speaker at the Policy Symposium – Space Resources Panel, organized by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and Portuguese Space Agency. 13 March 2024
- João Marques de Azevedo, Judge at the European Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition 2024, organized by the European Centre for Space Law and the Law School of the University of Vienna. 8 April 2024 – 12 April 2024
- João Nuno Frazão, Speaker at the VI Aerospace Days, with the topic “Space Law in Portugal: the new national space law”, promoted by the Portuguese Air Force, 17 May 2024
- João Nuno Frazão, João Marques de Azevedo and Paula de Castro Silveira attended the Management and Sustainability of Outer Space Activities Conference, hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Portuguese Space Agency (Agência Espacial Portuguesa), Lisbon, 14-15 May 2024
- João Nuno Frazão, Speaker at the III Summer ELSA Law School on Law and Tech, with the topic “Space Law”, promoted by ELSA U.Porto, 24 July 2024
Publications
- João Marques de Azevedo, “Revising the Artemis Accords and their approach to International Space Law”, SPARC blogpost, 14 September 2023
- João Nuno Frazão and Francisco Pereira Coutinho, “Espaço e Direito Internacional” (Space and International Law), in Informação Geoespacial na Administração Pública: fundamentos, desafios e oportunidades de aplicação, Lisboa, INA Editora, 2024, pp. 29-50
- João Marques de Azevedo, “Regulating Space Resource Activities in a Fair and Equitable Manner: Understanding the Principle of Common Heritage of Humankind in Space Law”, in European Review of International Studies Vol. 10, n.º 3 (2024), pp. 375-400
- João Marques de Azevedo and João Nuno Frazão, “Portugal Above the Clouds: Commentaries on the Strategic, Political and Legal Evolution of Space Activities in Portugal”, in European Review of International Studies Vol. 10, n.º 3 (2024), pp. 401-422