NPOL
3001

Journey Into the Unknown: Space Law and Policy in the 21st Century

Schools of Public Engagement: Social Sciences

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Degree Students
Space Law/Policy: 21st Century
Spring 2023
Taught By: Glynn Torres-Spelliscy
Section: A

CRN: 13318

Credits: 3

This course will provide students with an overview of issues involving the exploration and exploitation of space and space resources. The space industry is poised for rapid development in coming years. The computer age has ushered in an unheralded era of human innovation and exploration. Faster computers and better materials have led to significant advances in the space industry in particular. We now stand on the precipice, looking out towards a future where resources mined from asteroids virtually eliminate issues of scarcity here on earth, where endless energy from nuclear fusion calms the furnaces of the industrial revolution, and where humanity settles our closest cosmic neighbors. The current regulatory scheme for space is, however, outdated. The binding international treaties are decades old, agreed to in a world that is virtually unrecognizable in terms of our current capabilities. From satellites to commercial space tourism, from militarization to colonization, the human capacity for exploring and exploiting space is developing rapidly, and it is critical that we take steps to ensure that its development is both sustainable, equitable and profitable. This course will examine the patchwork of regulations that exist at both national and international levels. We will engage in detailed discussions and analyses of current issues surrounding space exploration and development, and discuss potential solutions that seek to honor the promise that “the exploration and use of outer space shall be the common province of all humankind.”

College: Schools of Public Engagement (NS)

Department: Social Sciences (NSOS)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Seminar (R)

Modality: Online - Asynchronous

Max Enrollment: 21

Add/Drop Deadline: February 5, 2023 (Sunday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 16, 2023 (Sunday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Closed*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 10:10pm EDT 5/31/2023