Barbara Horváth, Assistant Research Fellow at our institute, recently participated in the 2nd Conference on Earth & Space Sustainability Law: Stewardship & Equity, hosted by Leiden University in the Netherlands.
During the conference, she delivered a presentation addressing the environmental implications of large satellite constellations. Her talk focused on pressing challenges such as the growing problem of space debris, emerging risks including collision cascades and the impact of atmospheric pollution caused by space activities.
In her analysis, Barbara highlighted the increasing relevance of environmental law principles in outer space governance. She explored how concepts such as the precautionary principle, due diligence and the “no harm” rule could contribute to developing a more sustainable regulatory framework for space operations. At the same time, she drew attention to the current limitations posed by the predominantly non-binding nature of existing soft law instruments.
The conference provided an excellent platform for exchanging ideas on one of the most timely and rapidly evolving areas of international law. Beyond the academic discussions, the event also offered valuable opportunities for professional networking, allowing participants to reconnect with colleagues and establish new collaborations.
