LAWS17-594: Space Law

Description

Space Law is an elective subject in postgraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law in which undergraduate students may be permitted to enrol. Space law is an important area of international law and impacts on a wide range of governmental and private commercial activities. This subject is intended to examine the underlying legal principles that specifically regulate the use, exploration and exploitation of space, and to determine how these and other principles of international law can and should be applied to the many different state and private commercial uses of outer space. Students will be encouraged to examine and suggest ways in which the laws and principles regulating space should be expanded to deal with emerging issues.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: LAWS17-594
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Law
Semesters offered:
  • September 2025 [Non-Standard Offering]
  • May 2026 [Non-Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Law
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $4,460.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $4,600.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,990.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $6,260.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Identify and critically evaluate the historical evolution of the current legal regime regulating the use and exploration of outer space.
  2. Discuss and analyse the details of the five international Treaties and the various United Nations Principles which regulate certain activities in space.
  3. Describe the existing Australian and international legal frameworks regarding space activities and discuss and critically examine the problems and ambiguities within the existing legal regimes.
  4. Communicate an analytical understanding of the legal issues and shortcomings associated with new uses of space.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Students are expected to have previously completed a subject(s) in the International and Comparative Law (UG) specialisation.
Restrictions:

Bond Law students must have completed a minimum 120 Credit Points of LAWS subjects AND have a minimum average of 65% in LAWS subjects | This subject is available to Law Study Abroad and Law Exchange students.

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Subject outlines

Subject dates

  • Non-Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
    Semester start: 15/09/2025
    Subject start: 15/09/2025
    Last enrolment: 15/09/2025
    Teaching census: 18/09/2025
    Withdraw - Financial: 19/09/2025
    Withdraw - Academic: 21/09/2025
  • Non-Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 22/03/2026
    Semester start: 25/05/2026
    Subject start: 25/05/2026
    Last enrolment: 26/05/2026
    Teaching census: 31/05/2026
    Withdraw - Financial: 01/06/2026
    Withdraw - Academic: 04/06/2026
Non-Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
Semester start: 15/09/2025
Subject start: 15/09/2025
Last enrolment: 15/09/2025
Teaching census: 18/09/2025
Withdraw - Financial: 19/09/2025
Withdraw - Academic: 21/09/2025