Elsbeth Magilton of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Speakers Bureau will give a presentation titled, “Space Law 101,” at 7 p.m. March 28 in the Bishop Gerber Science Center, room 105. The event is free and open to the public.
Magilton is a professor of law and the director of space, cyber and telecommunications law programs at the University of Nebraska.
She said her presentation will be an introduction to some of the most basic tenants of space law. She will outline which international and domestic laws guide how the United States has approached space policies and how we interact with other countries in space. That includes the satellite industry, the growing commercial space industry and national security.
Magilton will present the information in a format that is easily understood by those with no background in law or space history.
“Space law is a unique and relatively unknown policy area so I am hopeful people will be interested,” she said.
Her interest in space started at a young age.
She admitted, “I’m a lifelong geek. I’ve loved space, technology and all things nerdy since I was a very young girl. Space law is rare — not only in its subject matter but also because it is one of the few instances lawyers get to be innovative and engaged in an infant industry proactively, rather than reactively.”
Magilton is looking forward to the presentation and hopes the audience enjoys learning about the subject matter. She said the content should inspire the audience to think about what life in space may look like one day.
She believes it is an important topic because, “space, cyber and telecommunications law and policy touch every satellite, every phone call, every online transaction.”
The information she will share, she said, affects us daily.
In her classroom, her students bridge the gap between law and technology, an ever-growing field.
“As technology continues to evolve and humans continue to reach upwards, the laws and regulations that protect citizens and serve industries must change too,” explained Magilton. “Our alumni and our research are at the forefront of this wave of change.”
