Report on the 2021 ECSL Practitioners' Forum

The opening words were given by Rosanna Hoffmann, Executive Secretary of the ECSL and Nicholas Puschman, Associate at Bird & Bird, after which Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, ESA , gave her keynote speech. 

This first panel discussed the current use of AI in space technology and how the European space sector, both private industry and organisations like ESA, are looking to develop further AI applications. In addition to covering some recent industry developments and AI applications today (e.g. Earth observation, space debris monitoring), legal, regulatory and policy questions raised by the use of AI in space technology – from the regulation of such technology at a European level, its regulation in the context of the space/satellite sectors and questions of liability – were discussed. The panel was moderated by Stijn Lemmens, Space Debris Analyst at ESA and the panelists were:

• Philippe Achilleas, Professor for Public International Law, Université Paris-Saclay
• Christian Karrasch, Research Area Manager, DLR
• Gabriele Mazzini, Legal and Policy Officer, European Commission

The second panel addressed blockchain capabilities in Outer Space, as blockchain continues to be one of the most talked about disruptive technologies. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in industry about its possible applications in outer space and the panel discussed its recent industry developments, the use of blockchain in other sectors, applications (both current and future in outer space) and, of course, legal and regulatory issues. The panelists also discussed recent European developments. It was moderated by Tim Flohrer, Head of the Space Debris Office, ESA and consisted of: 

• Martin von Haller Grønbæk, Partner at Bird & Bird
• Luigi Scatteia, Partner, PwC France
• Marcus Wallum, Operations Data Systems Manager, ESA

The third panel addressed the rise in quantum computing and specifically the possible uses of quantum in space applications, e.g. for cybersecurity purposes. On Earth and in space, quantum computing raises several legal, policy and regulatory questions – from contracting for quantum, liability, the use of personal data (and other data) in quantum computing and regulation. How these legal issues will apply in the context of quantum technology in space remains unclear, but the drive by industry will require further discussion on these legal topics. The panel was moderated by Nicholas Puschman and the panelists conisted of:

• Ingo Baumann, Lawyer and Partner, BHO
• Henning Weier, CTO/CFO Quantum Technology Laboratories
• Eric Wille, Optical System Engineer, ESA

We would like to thank all of the expert panelists for these extremely relevant discussions and look forward to another installment of the Practitioners' Forum in 2022.