Apparently NASA’s version of getting people to the polls is the motto “vote while you float.” And if Shane Kimbrough could do it, everyone should! The astronaut–who is the only American citizen currently not residing on planet Earth–cast his vote from the International Space Station, by sending it to Earth via an electronic delivery system specially designed for this purpose.

Voting in space: astronaut Shane Kimbrough is the only American to casts a vote from space. https://t.co/qn2CtvVXFS pic.twitter.com/nOEzhRpz79

— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) November 7, 2016

There is even a specific “space voting” law in Texas, which allows every American astronaut to cast their vote from space and have them registered through the county clerk’s office in Texas. It is all handled via email. A statement from NASA in 2008 described it like this: “An email with crew member-specific credentials is sent from the county clerk to the crew member. These credentials allow the crew member to access the secure ballot.”

.@astro_kimbrough voted from space. What’s your excuse? #ElectionDay https://t.co/zsx0tJKOtF

— Emilee Speck (@EMSpeck) November 7, 2016

After that, the space crew member returns the ballot to Texas, United States, Earth, via the electronic delivery system. Kimbrough’s current expedition has only been in space since mid-October, and will stay up for four months. His predecessor Kate Rubins cast an absentee ballot in case her mission was delayed, listing her address as “low-Earth orbit.” But she did make it back last week, and said: “It’s very incredible that we’re able to vote from up here, and I think it’s incredibly important for us to vote in all of the elections.”

Kimbrough tweeted an amazing picture from when he switched shifts with Rubins.

Farewell #AstroKate, Takuya, and Anatoly! Thanks for leaving the @Space_Station in great shape! pic.twitter.com/2G1InLMtcs

— Shane Kimbrough (@astro_kimbrough) October 30, 2016

According to Kimbrough, astronauts are “pretty much apolitical,” and he said he would be glad to welcome the new commander in chief, whoever it may be.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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If you missed Law Street’s top headlines last week, here’s what you need to know: France’s burkini ban is getting out of control, space law is still cool, and Big Pharma took a hit after EpiPen makers were called out for the allergy med’s outrageous price hike. ICYMI–check out the top stories below!

1. Burkini Ban: Enforcement Starts in Nice and Cannes

Armed police officers forced a Muslim woman to take off her burkini at the beach in Nice, France. In Cannes, another woman was fined for wearing a headscarf and leggings. These are some of the first known examples of enforcement of  a controversial ban on certain beachwear since the ban was implemented in several French towns earlier this month. Read the full article here.

2. Looking to Launch a Career in Space Law? Nebraska Law is Here to Help

Space law. It’s a concept that, to some of us, sounds ripped out of the movie “Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century,” “Interstellar,” or possibly “Gravity.” But I want you to think back to the last time you used your smartphone as a GPS. How about the last time you flew on a plane? Or the last time you checked the weather for your area. Or the last time you streamed an episode of your favorite Netflix original show. All of those activities are in some way governed by space law, and how it intersects with the distinct but related fields of cyber and telecommunications law. But what is space law, why does it matter, and how does it affect the education of law school students right now? Read the full article here.

3. EpiPen CEO Heather Bresch is Giving Us Major Martin Shkreli Vibes

Remember Martin Shkreli? He was the hedge fund manager who bought a life-saving AIDS drug and then raised its price overnight by more than 5,500 percent. Yeah, that dude. Well he’s not the only one giving Big Pharma a bad name. Mylan CEO Heather Bresch is the newest pharmaceutical exec to face similar criticism after she struggled to justify hiking the price of the EpiPen by more than 400 percent in the past decade. Read the full article here.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post ICYMI: Best of the Week appeared first on Law Street.

Happy Monday everyone! Ease back into the work week by catching up on some of Law Street’s top articles from last week. Our top story reported on the gathering of thousands of Ahmadi Muslims in England to reject ISIS’ violence and extremism. It was followed by an in-depth look into University of Nebraska College of Law’s space law program, and the banning of Muslim’s burkinis in Cannes. ICYMI–check out the top stories below!

1. 30,000 Ahmadi Muslims Gather to Reject Violence and Extremism

More than 30,000 Ahmadi Muslims from around the world came together in Hampshire, England over the weekend to reject the violence committed by ISIS and other terrorist groups. The three-day convention, called Jalsa Salana, is a 50-year long tradition for members of the Ahmadiyya Islamic movement. Read the full story here.

2. Looking to Launch a Career in Space Law? Nebraska Law is Here to Help

Space law. It’s a concept that, to some of us, sounds ripped out of the movie “Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century,” “Interstellar,” or possibly “Gravity.” But I want you to think back to the last time you used your smartphone as a GPS. How about the last time you flew on a plane? Or the last time you checked the weather for your area. Or the last time you streamed an episode of your favorite Netflix original show. All of those activities are in some way governed by space law, and how it intersects with the distinct but related fields of cyber and telecommunications law. But what is space law, why does it matter, and how does it affect the education of law school students right now? Read the full article here.

3. Muslim Women Can No Longer Wear Burkinis to the Beach in Cannes

The Mayor of Cannes, in Southern France, has banned the “burkini” from its beaches. He claims it is a threat to public order and a symbol of radical Islam. A “burkini” is simply a garment that some Muslim women wear to the beach; it covers a wearer’s whole body and hair, but not her face. Read the full article here.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Sponsored Content

Space law. It’s a concept that, to some of us, sounds ripped out of the movie “Xenon, Girl of the 21st Century,” “Interstellar,” or possibly “Gravity.” But I want you to think back to the last time you used your smartphone as a GPS. How about the last time you flew on a plane? Or the last time you checked the weather for your area. Or the last time you streamed an episode of your favorite Netflix original show. All of those activities are in some way governed by space law, and how it intersects with the distinct but related fields of cyber and telecommunications law.

But what is space law, why does it matter, and how does it affect the education of law school students right now? Read on for an exploration of space law, the ways it affects us each day, and a look at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law’s innovative space, cyber, and telecommunications law program.

So, What is Space Law?

At its most basic, space law is the set of international and national laws that regulate what governments and private companies do in space. It also encompasses facets of international law and business law.

The need for “space law” arose when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite in late 1957 and the U.S. completed its own satellite launch months later. After much negotiation, the Outer Space Treaty was concluded in 1967, laying out the basic tenants of space law that became the groundwork for the rest of the field. These principles fit a few themes–including freedom of exploration and use of space, that space is to be used for peaceful purposes, and (in a clear indication that these principles were designated during the Cold War) that “states shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.” Check out the rest of the principles here.

Things have obviously changed since 1967, so these ideas have been expanded upon and undergone new developments. The United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOUS), which was a driving force behind the original Outer Space Treaty, has seen the development of four other treaties as well as developed five additional sets of principles.

But the creation of major new international rules have stalled the past several decades, while on the national level rule-making has accelerated. The U.S. enacted the first commercial space legislation in 1984 and continues to have the most detailed and advanced framework, including addressing topics such as commercial human space flight, liability for any third-party injuries, and asteroid mining. Many other nations have enacted legislation and look toward the U.S. framework as a model.

Why does any of this matter? After all–most of us aren’t launching space ships or trying to become astronauts. But these principles have allowed us to send up the satellites that we use for everything from satellite TV, navigation, banking, agriculture, and of course, military information. That’s where other aspects of law, like cyber law and telecommunications law come in.

Cyber Law 

Put simply, cyber law governs the use of computers and the internet. Current hot topics in cyber law include hacking, “the right to be forgotten,” and encryption. Cybercrime is also particularly pressing, whether the targets are private citizens or government entities.

Telecommunications Law 

Telecommunications law deals with broadcasting and electronic communication. In the United States, telecommunications laws and polices affect phone service, cable and TV programming, and wireless spectrum. Telecommunication law has seen significant evolution now that the internet has become so ubiquitous and will continue to change moving forward.

Why is it important to study all three?

Many of the issues covered by space, cyber, and telecommunications law see a significant amount of overlap. In fact, we couldn’t even talk about certain topics in cyber regulations and telecommunications–we wouldn’t even have access to much of this technology–without our exploration and use of space. According to the University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Law, the only school in the United States to offer a program that specifically teaches all three fields: “These three areas are intrinsically linked by the technology they require and the laws and policies that impact them.”

What’s Next in Space Law?

So, it’s clear space law, and the related fields of cyber and telecommunications law, affect each of our daily lives, in really commonplace ways. But a lot of the topics we’ve seen in the news lately also have the potential to be affected by these kinds of regulations.

Net Neutrality

Net neutrality–whether or not internet service providers should treat all content and sites the same–has increasingly become a hot button issue in recent years. Almost every 2016 candidate, from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump has at least mentioned where they stand on the topic.

Net neutrality is based on the idea of the internet as a commodity–some companies have access to it and they provide it to paying consumers. For now, it’s been a mostly earthbound commodity. While there have been dalliances with satellite internet, none have ended up particularly successful. But that’s probably going to change soon–last year companies like SpaceX and OneWeb both announced plans to create satellites that could deliver broadband. This transforms net neutrality from a grounded, national concept to an international dilemma. As Slate’s Nicholas Nardini put it:

A space-borne Internet could skirt these threats. It might also skirt law enforcement and surveillance: While tech companies today often dodge warrants by storing data in foreign countries, the lawless sky offers an even surer refuge. And though net neutrality is the law for now in Europe and the United States, it doesn’t really exist elsewhere. Any network offering satellite Internet to the developing world is likely to sacrifice neutrality for efficiency.

Commercial Space Flight 

Commercial space flight may have sounded like a science fiction fantasy just a few years ago, but we’re inching ever closer to it becoming a reality. Bigelow Aerospace is trying to launch a few giant space habitats for some commercial use; it aims to  launch the first in 2020. It could be used by both “space tourists” as well as for scientific research. Virgin Galactic is working on commercial human space flight, planning sub-orbital flights in the next year or so, and SpaceX and other companies contract on cargo carriage to the International Space Station and, in the near future, astronaut travel.

But if private citizens are going to start going into space, laws that had for so long mostly focused on governmental and military operations are going to need to be reexamined. Legal issues currently addressed in US legislation like licensing for private flights, who is liable in the case of injury, informed consent, and so many other questions are going to have to be dealt with in other national legislation as “space tourism” becomes more than just a fun idea globally.

So, how do I become a Space Lawyer?

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law has the only program in the United States that combines the fields of space law, cyber law, and telecommunications law. Since 2007, Nebraska has offered a Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law certificate for J.D. students. J.D. students can specialize in space, cyber and/or telecommunications law during their studies by taking 15 credit hours of courses in one or more of these areas in consultation with faculty in the area. Nebraska Law for the past decade has also offered an LL.M. in these areas of law, and more recently began offering a doctorate (J.S.D.) in space law.

Nebraska provides opportunities for students interested in space law to get hands on experience, through conferences in both Lincoln and Washington D.C. and participation in events such as the Lochs Moot Court competition. According to Professor Matthew Schaefer, the Director of Space, Cyber, and Telecom Law Program, Nebraska also has a notable list of alumni, who work at places like the U.S. State Department, relevant think tanks, SpaceX, McKinsey Consulting, and U.S. Cyber Command, to provide connections and inspiration to current and future students.

Space law isn’t just for people who are going to work specifically with commercial companies like SpaceX or government agencies. The interplay between space law, cyber law, and telecommunications affects business transactions and international law on the ground too. And firms increasingly have to rely on lawyers who have knowledge of cyber law, given that the internet is now wrapped up in essentially everything we do. As Professor Schaefer put it:

Even if you’re not going to go off and work for a space company, again, space law is a really good case study in international business transactions and global business, also an excellent case study in international law as well.

So, are you looking to pinpoint the future of law? Reaching for the stars doesn’t sound too crazy anymore.

Click here to request more info. 

Resources

Primary

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

FCC: Telecommunications Act of 1996

Additional

Nebraska Law: Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Areas of Study

Space: Who Owns the Moon? | Space Law & Outer Space Treaties

American Bar Association: Space Law 101: An Introduction to Space Law 

 Bloomberg: The ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ and Other Cyberlaw Cases Go to Court

Law Street Media: FCC’s Spectrum Auction and Why it Matters 

Slate: The Final Frontier of Net Neutrality

University of Nebraska College of Law

Students at the University of Nebraska College of Law study in a friendly, collaborative environment with internationally recognized professors. Reasonable tuition costs, and excellent bar passage and employment rates are part of the reason that Nebraska Law is consistently named a best value law school. The College of Law is part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a major research university and member of the Big Ten Conference. It is located in Lincoln, an exciting college town, the state capital, and a city of nearly 300,000 people. Learn more at law.unl.edu. The University of Nebraska College of Law is a partner of Law Street Creative. The opinions expressed in this author’s articles do not necessarily reflect the views of Law Street.

The post Looking to Launch a Career in Space Law? Nebraska Law is Here to Help appeared first on Law Street.

Imagine this: The year is 2024 and there are humans living on Mars. Sounds like a chapter right out of a sci-fi novel, but this is a real mission that will officially launch ten years from now. In 2011, co-founders Bas Lansdorp and Arno Wielders came together to start a Netherlands-based non-profit organization with the mission of conceptualizing plans for establishing a permanent human colony on Mars. They collaborated with aerospace organizations in the USA, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom to solidify a plan. Click here to view a full list of suppliers. In April 2013, a press conference was held in both New York and Shanghai to launch the mission into action.

Click here to view the history of Mars One:

Mars One: The Basics

Applications Process

Starting in 2013, applicants were able to apply to be a part of the one-way mission. Every year a new batch of astronauts will join the group and begin the eight-year training process before the departure to Mars. There are five traits that the Mars One mission deems vital in its astronaut selection: “Resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust, and creativity/resourcefulness.” Applicants must be free of both health and mental illness, as well as possess an adequate level of physical fitness.There are four rounds to the astronaut selection process. The first round begins with the submission of an online application. The application will consist of a letter to Mars One, which will include a resume and one-minute video outlining the candidate’s reasons for applying. If selected to proceed to round two, applicants must submit a record of medical health. After the committee reviews the documents, applicants will meet with the selection committee. Round three will incorporate a reality show aspect in which 20-40 candidates will participate in challenges to test their ability to survive on Mars. The selection process will be aired on television and the internet, and will conclude with the selection of one astronaut per region. The rest of the applicants will be selected by the Mars One committee. On the Mars One website, videos of applicants and supporters are open for the public to view.

Training

The training for the first group of applicants will begin in 2015. To prepare for a life on Mars, trainees will be kept in groups of four (to simulate their mission group) and will learn how to become self-sufficient in an isolated environment. Astronauts will go through three phases of training, including technical, personal, and group. At least two people from every group must be fluent in technical training, which will consist of the knowledge of medical equipment, geological studies, and exobiology (the study of alien life). Other specialties will include physiotherapy, psychology, and electronics. As the population on Mars increases, each person will bring more individual expertise to the community, and training time may be decreased accordingly. Personal training will focus on the astronaut’s ability to survive the psychologically straining components of this new environment and lifestyle. Group training consists of simulating life on Mars. Astronauts will learn to grow crops, retrieve water, and maintain their life support systems.

Cost and Finance

Mars One is a nonprofit, non-governmental funded project. It receives funding via donations, contributions from sponsors, and the sale of Mars One merchandise. The estimated cost of the project is roughly $6 billion.

1. Click here to see a full list of sponsors.
2.  Donations can be made on Mars One website.
3. Merchandise can be bought on the Mars One website.

Regulations and Policies

Basic Necessities

Astronauts will reside in living units that produce oxygen; they will grow their crops for food and water will be extracted from the soil and put through a treatment process. Astronauts will reside in inflatable living tanks that will be filled with breathable oxygen, and will eliminate Carbon Dioxide from the unit. Each astronaut will have 20 m3 of personal living space. According to Mars One, “this system will be very similar to those units (that) are fully functional on board the International Space Station.”

Communication

Astronauts can communicate with family and friends on earth via text, voice, or video. Connection can take up to 20 minutes, so direct phone calls are not a practical form of communication.

Technology

Astronauts will have access to television and internet with a three-minute delay from Earth. Astronauts must request a certain broadcast in advance, so that it can be uploaded to the server.

Government

The astronauts will also have to spend time configuring a system of organization for their colony. They will have the responsibility of deciding on a democratic set of rules to appease the community and help avoid chaos or, in the worst case, a demise of the colony. There will be no religion to dictate principles; decision making will be based on the individual’s system of ethics and free choice.

Reproduction

As of now, the policy on conception states that pregnancy is not advised. Scientists are unsure if the conditions — gravity in particular — is conducive to pregnancy. According to Mars One, the issue of retaining the society’s population count will have to be researched more in depth in later years.

Is Mars One Ethical?

A One-Way Trip 

At this point, astronauts who decide to partake in this project will not be coming back to earth. This means that if conditions fail to meet the astronaut’s expectations, they do not have the choice to abort the mission and return. “All those emigrating will do so because they choose to.” Also, astronauts will go through extensive training to ensure that they know what to expect. They have the option to abandon the mission at any point before departure. Mars One ensures that they will attempt to offer the highest quality of life as possible.

Roles on Mars

Mars One assumes that the astronauts will naturally figure out a system of governance. Is it ethical to send people to space with no structured code of governance or appointed officials? Naturally, roles of the colony will evolve based on factors such as personality, intelligence, and physical strength; yet with no strict system, there is no way of telling how the colony dynamics will develop. This poses an ethical issue regarding the safety and happiness of the individuals involved. This issue will have to be addressed once the astronauts establish themselves.

Space Law

Not only is there a question of ethics regarding the colonization of Mars, but we also have to ponder the legal aspect. Generally speaking, Mars One will not violate any legal standing regarding international space law. According to nhbar.org, one fundamental principle of international space law is “that all nations are free to conduct scientific investigation in space.” The plan for 2024 to colonize Mars is experimental; and as long as it remains free of a military presence and does not have a negative impact on the environments of Earth or Mars, it broadly falls in the confines of international space law.

The Outer Space Treaty: Environment

According to nhbar.org, “The Outer Space Treaty obligates States to preserve the environment of outer space in the course of their activities.” In a statement from Mars One, they outline the steps they will take to ensure an environmentally safe project: “Mars One will take specific steps to ensure that the Mars environment will not be harmed. The Mars base will be forced to recycle just about everything, and pay close attention to its energy use and minimize the leakage of materials and energy.” Currently, Mars One ambassadors are speaking with the ICSU Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) to decide how they will successfully protect Mars’ environment. There are currently two major components that will help to protect the environment of Mars:

1. Solar panels will be installed  in 3000 square meters of power-generating surface area.
2. Production and recycling of water and oxygen will be a mandatory practice for astronauts to follow on Mars.

Legal Responsibility

According to Mars One, “Mars One is a private and not a governmental initiative.” This statement does not necessarily protect state actors from legal responsibility; yet, where the sole duty lies is unclear at this time. In the case of Beattie v. U.S., the courts noted in the Outer Space Treaty that “the basic principle is that in the sovereignless reaches of outer space, each State party to the Outer Space Treaty will retain jurisdiction over its own objects and persons.” The project is a “Dutch-based” nonprofit initiative, and is funded by 94 countries worldwide. Mars One is a non-governmental multi-national collaboration; and although one nation may not claim sovereignty to a celestial body, they may be  liable for damage or misconduct in space. If the Outer Space Treaty and international space law is violated, who will be held accountable? Since the project is independent, yet funded internationally, where will legal action be directed if there are violations of international space law? Does this mean that space law has to be updated to accommodate where the responsibility lies? At this time the legality of Mars One remains unclear due to the unique nature of the project.

Legal Protection

Another issue that the Mars One team fails to address is the legal structure on Mars itself. Currently, the astronauts are held responsible for the creation of a government body upon their arrival on Mars; the future colonized Mars is to be collaborative and democratic, yet who will enforce this newly conquered planet’s young and weak system? Who will be prosecuted if there are faults in the general system? Are astronauts held responsible for their actions in space under the laws that govern earth, and if so, whose laws will govern them? Are these astronauts signing away their souls to space research, and lacking any legal protections? According to Mars One, “Mars One identifies two major risk categories: the loss of human life and cost overruns.” The astronauts are agreeing to enter a potentially dangerous situation where there is no law to serve as a buffer between them and a potentially life-threatening situation for the sake of science. There is little stability in terms of a governmental and legal system on Mars, and to trust a small group of average citizens to form an effective operating society seems to be a disaster waiting to erupt.

To hear more from co-founder Bas Lansdorp click here for a full interview.

Resources

Primary 

Mars One: Homepage

Additional

New Hampshire Bar Journal: International Space Law: An Overview of Law and Issues

CTV News: The New Space Pioneers

ABC: Company Offer One-Way Trip to Mars

NBC News: Mars One Pares Down Its List of Red Planet Settlers to 705

MSN: Private Mars One Colony Project: 705 Astronaut Candidates Pass Latest Cut

Huffington Post: On Mars, Who’s in Charge?

Washington Post: Would you Take a one-way Ticket to Mars?

CNN: NASA: Yes, Mars Could Have Hosted Life?

University of Nebraska–Lincoln: The Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects

—

Madeleine Stern (@M3estern) is a student at George Mason University majoring in Journalism and minoring in Theater. Her writing on solitary confinement inspired her to pursue a graduate degree in clinical counseling after graduation. Madeleine is an avid runner, dedicated animal lover, and a children’s ballet instructor. Contact Madeleine at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Kevin Dooley via Flickr]

Madeleine Stern

Madeleine Stern attended George Mason University majoring in Journalism and minoring in Theater. Her writing on solitary confinement inspired her to pursue a graduate degree in clinical counseling after graduation. Madeleine is an avid runner, dedicated animal lover, and a children’s ballet instructor. Contact Madeleine at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Mankind is Mars-Bound: All the Facts on Mars One appeared first on Law Street.