Our planetary communications system was on the fritz this episode and the Earth based interview had some serious connection issues. We have opted to leave the interview intact as-aired but encourage you to hit up https://thomascheneyblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/space-law-at-the-un/ for more information on Space Law at the United Nations. In Space News: * Vector Space launches first small rocket * SpaceShipTwo Completes Feathered Glide Flight * Cassini finds ring gap emptier than predicted * Reaction Engines Breaks Ground on New Test Facility * New survey hints at ancient origin for “Cold Spot” in our Universe * SOFIA confirms nearby star system is similar to ours TMRO:Space is a crowd funded show. If you like this episode consider contributing to help us to continue to improve. Head over to http://www.patreon.com/tmro for information, goals and reward levels.

The Society’s Government Attorneys Interest Group invites you to join us at Tillar House for an interactive discussion of the legal and practical issues posed by humankind’s increasing activities in outer space. The speakers will provide an entertaining and informative overview of some of the practical problems and legal issues posed by space debris, focusing on topics such as what space debris is, how and why it’s created, the legal issues it raises, and the steps governments and other stakeholders can take to remediate the problem. Special attention will be given to the fact that space debris exist outside of traditional national jurisdictions and what the international legal regime can offer in addressing this issue.

Founder & Principal at Space Law & Policy Solutions Michael Listner is on the Cold Star Project. He's also author and editor of The Precis, a space law quarterly briefing letter. Our subject of discussion is Realpolitik and space law, and I ask Michael about: - where he finds himself most often with another interpretation, either conceptually or with the letter of the law, with other space lawyers - what clients are seeking when they approach his firm - what he believes is at issue regarding the White House's April 6th Executive Order regarding space resources--Michael called it "posturing for the space resources food fight and a pushback against the [Hauge] Building Blocks" - the standout issues of space law from his perspective, with regard to commercial operations - whether international safeguards exist or not to avoid war, as nation states move to use space resources and occupy space locations - who are some key people Michael follows in the space field. Space Law & Policy Solutions website: https://www.spacelawsolutions.com/ The Precis page: https://www.spacelawsolutions.com/the-pr-cis-.html Playlist: https://www.coldstartech.com/play Subscribe: https://www.coldstartech.com/subs Sign up for email notifications of new episodes: https://www.coldstartech.com/msb Talk to Cold Star: https://www.coldstartech.com/bookcall

Panel Discussion: Law, Policy and the Meaning of Commercial Space Franceska Schroeder, Principal, Fish & Richardson Audrey Powers, Deputy General Counsel, Blue Origin Kelly Garehime, Associate General Counsel, United Launch Alliance Caryn Schenewerk, Senior Counsel and Senior Director, Space Flight Policy, SpaceX What does it mean to be a U.S. commercial space company? Space tourism, launch services for commercial satellites, cargo missions to the International Space Station – are they all commercial space activities? Are there unique laws and policies that apply to commercial operators or do the same apply to all entities engaged in space activities? What will be the impact on your business of the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens, streamline licensing and regulation of commercial space activities, and reshape U.S. and international frameworks. This panel analyzes these questions to help you navigate successfully the laws and policies that apply to your commercial space business. Thumbnail photo by Heriberto Ibarra ISPCS intro music and ambience sounds: "Ambienta Soundtrack Crystal Airlines" & "Sparkle.” Used under the Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ “Bobby Drake” by Benjamin Banger. Follow on Instagram @BenJaminBanger and benbanger.com Used under the Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

We sat down with Dr. Ram Jakhu, the director of McGill University's world-leading Institute of Air and Space Law, to discuss his fascinating field as well as contemporary and historical issues in space exploration. For more about Dr. Ram Jakhu and his groundbreaking work in international space law and space commercialization: https://www.mcgill.ca/law/about/profs/jakhu-ram Video Production: Ben Aloi--Editing, Narration and Interview Kate Chamberlin--Direction