International Space Law: Staying Current

Space law is a popular topic in general and international law journals.  These journals are available through your Lexis+, Westlaw, and Hein Online databases; however, remember that the journals on Lexis+ and Westlaw do not provide full coverage prior to 1990.  Hein Online will provide full historical coverage, but they might not yet have the most current editions of law journals loaded as quickly at Lexis+ and Westlaw.  To find older journal articles search Hein Online, or use the Index to Legal Periodicals (1908-1980). 

In addition to journal articles, there are regular conference proceedings, newsletters, etc. that are included in this listing.

• Annals of Air & Space Law - The Annals has been publishing original articles, drafted in English or French, covering the entire spectrum of domestic and international air law and the law of space applications. The contributors are academics and leading practitioners from all parts of the world. (Most recent three years in print only.)
• Air and Space Lawyer, newsletter from the American Bar Association.
• Journal of Space Law - This Journal explores the legal problems arising out of human activities in outer space. Papers addressing all aspects of international and national space law.
• Legal Subcommittee, UNOOSA.  Review their annual report to the UN and daily journal to learn what is occupying their current agenda.
• Proceedings of the International Institute of Space (a/k/a Proceedings of Law on Outer Space) - Published by the International Institute of Space Law (IILS), each issue contains selected papers that have been accepted for the Colloquium concerned, as well as reports of the Standing Committee on the Status of International Agreements Relating to Activities in Outer Space, the IISL/AIAA Scientific-Legal Roundtable Programmes, the IISL Space Law programme presented to the Legal Subcommittee’s Delegates and staff, and the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. (Hein Online > Foreign and International Law Resource library; discoverable through PRIMO).
• Journal of AIr Law & Commerce - Although "space" is not part of the title of this journal, it does publish in the area of space law.

Space Policy Online is, as the screen shot above indicates, an excellent resource for news, information, and analysis about civil, military, and commercial space programs. SPO has an excellent space law section. 

SPO was founded by Marcia Smith, who is the "North American Editor of the journal Space Policy, and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the American Astronautical Society (AAS)." 

The London Institute of Space Policy and Law is independent charity associated with the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at London University. The institute carries out research in space policy and law topics, examining the "merits and consequences of alternative policy and legal options available to states active in space." Its website maintains information on various research and publications, and has links to multiple relevant universities, space agencies and international bodies concerned with space law.

Leiden Law Blog has a "dossier" section on air and space law. While the section appears to have been last updated in 2013, it boasts some very interesting commentary, including: "Space Junk and the Law," "Pioneers in space, work for lawyers," and "Aviation and Climate Change, all Talk and no Action?" 

The ABA's Forum Committee on Air and Space Law website provides access to the quarterly newsletter, "The Air and Space Lawyer".  Relevant events are also listed, as well as various links to resources, including government websites, trade association websites, publications websites, and academia/research sources. 

The Space Law section of the Peace Palace Library website is yet another source for information on international space law.  The library maintains a space law blog, a thorough bibliography, and some other very useful resources including the "Librarian's Choice" section and "Database".