The European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) was established in 1989 at the initiative of the European Space Agency and with the support of a number of pioneers in this field.
Members of ECSL include professionals working in the space sector, lawyers, university professors and students. The Centre provides a forum for all those wishing to take part in constructive debates on space law and encourages interdisciplinary exchange between members.
The main objective of the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) is to build up and spread, within Europe and elsewhere, an understanding of the legal framework relevant to space activities. ECSL does this by fostering the exchange of information among interested stakeholders and by helping to improve and promote the teaching of space law. Its aim is to provide updated information on Europe’s contribution to space activities beyond Europe, and therefore to enhance the European position in the field of space law practice, teaching and publications.
A one-day Practitioners Forum has been organised every year since 1992. The aim of the Forum is to provide those working in the space sector with a forum for the exchange of views, knowledge and information.
One of ECSL’s most successful activities is the ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy. During the two-week course students attend intensive lectures given by university professors and space professionals concerning the international legal framework of space activities.
The NPOC Austria acts as an interface between ECSL and persons interested in space law in Austria. It is coordinated by Professor Irmgard Marboe at the Department of European, International and Comparative Law of the University of Vienna.
Its main objective is the promotion and development of space law in Austria. This includes a variety of activities such as the organization of conferences, the elaboration of space law-related publications, the teaching of space law as well as the publication of an annual Space Law Newsletter. In addition, the NPOC informs about recent space law-related developments) and upcoming events and provides information on legal texts and literature relating to the exploration and use of outer space as well as a link collection on space in general.