Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to two interrelated areas: (1) the laws relating to outer space; and (2) the regulation of satellites. International law regimes and selected national legislative frameworks will be examined with the emphasis placed on non-military, civil space and satellite activities. This unit provides students with a broad understanding of the international law governing outer space and the Moon including the five UN treaties, the global regulation of satellites, selected national governance regimes for civil space and satellite projects, and some current issues including space debris, satellite congestion, small satellites and constellations, space tourism, and the uses of satellite data for law enforcement.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the legal frameworks and institutional architecture relevant to space and satellite law; (2) critically describe the use and regulation of space technologies for environmental monitoring and law enforcement; (3) critically analyse legal issues, current developments and effectiveness of space and satellite law; (4) apply the law to hypothetical problem-solving exercises, and make persuasive legal arguments and counter arguments; (5) critically assess the effectiveness of the law with respect to outer space, celestial bodies and satellites explored in this unit; and (6) develop coherent arguments for reform and/or further research in the areas of space and satellite law.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) class participation; (2) short answer paper; and (3) research paper. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Erika Techera
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 5 full days of intensive teaching plus online modules before the intensive
- Note
- Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
- Texts
Readings will be set via Unit Readings Online.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.