Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona is offering a new course titled Space Law and Policy, which addresses the growing legal complexities associated with human activities in outer space. The course is a collaboration between the James E. Rogers College of Law and the College of Science, providing students with insights into issues such as asteroid mining, space tourism, traffic management, communications satellites, and national security.

"Space is a growth area, and there aren't enough people who understand both the law and the science of this new frontier," said Andrew Keane Woods, Milton O. Riepe Professor of Law and Distinguished Legal Scholar. He co-teaches the course alongside planetary sciences professor Vishnu Reddy.

Reddy emphasizes that "nations and companies will be launching more missions into space." He highlights the need for understanding both legal regulations and basic space science due to increasing orbital activities.

The inaugural class includes law students as well as an undergraduate majoring in astronomy. One student, Andrew Macdonald, expressed his enthusiasm: "I'm a big space nerd... It's a crossover of hard science and existing law that is old and the potential emergence of new law."

Professors Woods and Reddy plan to adapt their material for executives in the space industry after this semester concludes.

The cislunar region—space between Earth and the moon—is becoming more active with various missions planned by nations and private companies. This has prompted efforts by Reddy and colleague Roberto Furfaro to develop cyberinfrastructure for tracking these objects.

"There was a burst of interest in space law... but then it really dropped off," noted Woods regarding historical academic interest. Current treaties provide frameworks but lack coverage on modern issues like asteroid mining or private sector rules.

Space sciences have been integral at UArizona for over 100 years, generating significant economic impact locally. The university leads in astronomy research expenditures according to National Science Foundation data.

"If you're interested in space law, the University of Arizona is a no-brainer," concluded Woods.