ABSTRACT
Satellite laws stem from decades-old treaties that were not designed with commercial operations in mind. Nations have tried to meet their treaty obligations while also allowing and encouraging commercial operations, whose evolution inevitably outpaces any legal system. For a trans-national technology such as satellite, especially the new fully global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, this means getting multiple authorisations in multiple nations. The regulations are often disjointed, not harmonised with neighbouring countries, and out of date with rapidly evolving technology. This paper examines the existing state of regulation for these new LEO constellations, using OneWeb as a case study. Suggestions are made for “best practices” for regulators that encourage innovation, efficiency, and the speedy delivery of needed communications services.
