Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Space Court Foundation Student Space Law Journal April 2026

Welcome to the April 2026 issue of the Space Court Foundation Student Space Law Journal (SCF SSLJ).

In an era of unprecedented growth in space activities — driven by both state and private actors — the need for fresh perspectives and innovative legal analysis has never been greater. The SCF SSLJ was founded to meet that need: an open, dedicated platform where law students and early-career space law professionals can participate in scholarly discourse at the highest level. By removing traditional barriers to publication and providing structured editorial mentorship, we aim to cultivate emerging writing talent, stimulate debate, and advance the rule of law in space.

This issue comprises eight articles and brings together contributions addressing a broad range of pressing and rapidly evolving topics in space law. The authors engage with several key challenges in contemporary outer space governance, including the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), anti-satellite activities, and the extension of environmental governance principles to the space domain.

Further contributions examine commercial space mining, the intersection of art and outer space, and questions of state responsibility in the context of armed conflict. The issue also explores the proposed EU Space Act and its potential role in orbital traffic management, as well as the position and influence of mid-sized nations in global space governance.

We are deeply grateful to our authors and peer reviewers for their dedication and hard work, and to the entire editorial team for their unwavering commitment to the standards of academic integrity and clarity that define the SCF SSLJ. We hope that as you explore these articles, you will share our enthusiasm for the quality of thinking on display from the next generation of space lawyers.

The full edition, with links to individual articles, is here.

— Yana Yakushina and Jonathan Kaley-Isley, Managing Editors, April 2026