Graduate Certificate in Space Mining Legal Issues
Published on June 19, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to the podcast! Today, we're talking about a fascinating subject - Space Mining Legal Issues. I'm thrilled to have our guest, an expert in this field, to share some insights. Could you please introduce yourself? GUEST: Hi, I'm Dr. Alex Lawson, a lawyer specializing in space law and an instructor for the Graduate Certificate in Space Mining Legal Issues. HOST: Fascinating! Can you tell us more about the course and what students can expect to learn? GUEST: Absolutely. This course covers the legal aspects of space mining, including planetary resources and international treaties. It's designed for lawyers, policymakers, and space industry professionals who want to understand the complexities of space resource ownership and utilization. HOST: That sounds incredibly relevant with the space industry growing at such a rapid pace. What current industry trends are you seeing that make this course important? GUEST: The growing interest in asteroid mining and lunar resource extraction is making this course increasingly relevant. Companies like Planetary Resources and Deep Space Industries are already planning missions to extract resources from asteroids. HOST: That's amazing! But I imagine there must be challenges in teaching and learning such a niche subject. Could you share some of those? GUEST: Sure. One challenge is the evolving nature of space law, as countries and organizations interpret and implement existing treaties in new ways. Another challenge is the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which requires students to have a solid understanding of law, policy, and space technology. HOST: I can imagine that would be quite challenging. Looking to the future, where do you see the field of space mining legal issues heading? GUEST: I believe we'll see more countries and organizations getting involved in space mining, which will require even more sophisticated legal frameworks. Our course prepares students for this future by providing a solid foundation in space law and policy. HOST: That's exciting! Thank you, Dr. Lawson, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. It's been a pleasure talking to you about this fascinating subject. GUEST: Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure sharing my experiences with your listeners.
