Agreement between the Italian Space Agency and the Department of Political Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
The research project OSL - Outer Space Law for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development is carried out within the scientific cooperation between Sapienza University of Rome and the Italian Space Agency.
The research is focused on three main areas: 1) the analysis of the legal instruments of international cooperation for the development of space activities, especially in the context of international relations between Italy and Kenya on the Broglio Space Centre; 2) the identification of the most suitable national regulatory and institutional framework for the specific needs of Italy and Kenya; 3) the study of the rules applicable to mini satellites, with particular reference to the 1KUNS-Kenya Sat project, born from the collaboration between the Italian Space Agency, Sapienza University and the University of Nairobi.
Italy and Kenya have a long history of cooperation in the field of space activities, started in the early Sixties with the establishment of the Broglio Space Centre in Malindi. Kenyan space sector is experimenting an impressive development in last years, and the launch of its first space object, the cubesat 1KUN-KenyaSat, has been a remarkable step for the country. It is expected that Kenyan institutions will benefit of the studies on the regulatory framework and on institutional aspects, in order to consolidate a legal framework capable of promoting the development of national space activities and compliance to international obligations.
The project represents an important tool for consolidating the relations between ASI, Sapienza University of Rome and Kenya Space Agency in order to engage in a collaboration in the field of legal sciences, as it has been done in the engineering sector. The regional dimension of the project will also be enhanced, involving students from across Africa in international initiatives in the field of space law and policy.
The activities of the project will be carried out with the support of international organizations, research entities, associations and space agencies and will be articulated on three paths: a) capacity building b) education; c) research. The scientific objectives will therefore be achieved through a wide range of activities including webinars and online courses to allow the highest possible participation even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project aims to disseminate research results widely, through the publication of scientific articles and periodic activity reports.
Team Sapienza: Prof Sergio Marchisio (Scientific Responsibile), Prof. Raffaele Cadin, Prof. Luigino Manca, Dr. Gianfranco Nucera, Dr. Pierfrancesco Breccia, Dr. Anne-Sophie Martin, Dr. Alessandra Matteis, Dr. Ludovica Ciarravano