He explained that Australia’s increased and accelerated space activity has birthed burgeoning legal issues.
“Alongside growth in the industry comes the need for proactive compliance and risk management of both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial issues. By way of example, debris from discarded or disabled satellites have already landed in remote areas of Australia. If, as has happened in the United States, such debris were to destroy a home or business, the question becomes: who is responsible?” Gardner asked.
The key, he said, is to strike a balance between regulation and innovation.
“Space is an evolving area and government recognises it could stifle involvement if it clamps down too harshly – particularly when it has traditionally been such an expensive sector to enter”, Gardner said.
At the congress, Gardner will be presenting on the topic “Incapacity, death and inheritance – space and society”, which highlights different legal concerns in a space context. The congress started today September 29 and will run until 3 October.