The Space Law, Data and Policy (SPACE LDP) Program is the world’s first interdisciplinary program focused at the nexus of outer space with law, data and policy in global affairs. This nexus animates our core interests in commercial space, cislunar space, geospatial intelligence, space domain awareness, space traffic management, maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, and quantum. SPACE LDP operates under the auspices of the Global Business Law Institute (GBLI) at the UW School of Law.

The founding director of SPACE LDP is Saadia M. Pekkanen, the Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Professor in International Studies and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Law. She works at the intersection of international relations and international law, specializing in the commercial, legal and security policies shaping outer space affairs.

SPACE LDP carries out education and training programs, aiming to serve the diverse practical needs of space-interested audiences across universities, businesses, nonprofits, think tanks, foundations, media, defense and foreign policy establishments, and governments worldwide. The goal is to generate and disseminate cutting-edge knowledge to students, researchers, diplomats, practitioners, and other decision-makers interested in understanding the dynamic realities of space law, data and policy affecting all countries.

Through its work, SPACE LDP raises public awareness of space activities that are often rooted in contemporary geopolitics, and promotes a common understanding of challenges to space security, safety, and prosperity.


Education & Training Programs

Our education and training programs are aimed at both UW students and non-UW audiences from corporate, government, defense, nonprofit and philanthropy sectors. We support both public and fee-based programs of varying lengths, some of which can be used to fulfill Continuing Legal Education. These academic and executive education programs are described below.

Explore Education and Training Programs


SPACE LDP News & Events

Space Diplomacy Symposium 2024
Space Diplomacy Symposium 2024

Join SPACE LDP on Oct. 25, 2024 for the inaugural Space Diplomacy Symposium. The aim of the annual Space Diplomacy Symposium (SDS) is to situate diplomacy in the traditional categories of civilian, commercial and military space activities across all regions of the world.

The Present and Future of Space Security
Space Webinar, May 29, 2024
The Present and Future of Space Security

Join us May 29, 2024. Along with Saadia M. Pekkanen and P.J. Blount, participants include Paul Larsen, Wendy Whitman Cobb, Pavel Luzin, and John Klein.

Space Course: Defense Regulations in the Space Business
Space Course
Space Course: Defense Regulations in the Space Business

This webinar focuses on how activities in the space domain intersect with export controls and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS).

The Laws of Space Mining
Artist's rendering of a space mining vessel.
The Laws of Space Mining

The Discovery podcast launches into the New Year with a conversation with guest Austin Murnane, Senior Legal Counsel at Blue Origin, about legal issues arising from the use of resources acquired in outer space.

Inaugural Space Diplomacy Symposium
Inaugural Space Diplomacy Symposium 2023
Inaugural Space Diplomacy Symposium

Join SPACE LDP on Nov. 29, 2023 for the inaugural Space Diplomacy Symposium. The aim of the annual Space Diplomacy Symposium (SDS) is to situate diplomacy in the traditional categories of civilian, commercial and military space activities across all regions of the world.

SPACE LDP Director on the Hague Diplomacy Podcast
Saadia Pekkanen
SPACE LDP Director on the Hague Diplomacy Podcast

Host Ilen Madhavji speaks with SPACE LDP Director Saadia Pekkanen to see what there is to learn from Japan's approach to Space Diplomacy.

Register Now: New Space Course Zoom Webinar on Thursday, April 20
Register Now: New Space Course Zoom Webinar on Thursday, April 20

The Space Course series continues with The Space-Cybersecurity Nexus featuring guest panelists from Aerospace Corporation, MITRE Corporation, Spaceflight, and Cardiff University.

2023 Space Course: The Case for Space Stations
Space Course: The Case for Space Stations
2023 Space Course: The Case for Space Stations

Register now! The webinar on Feb. 23 will explore space stations, commercial perspectives, risk awareness and the regulatory landscape.

2022 Space Course Pt. 2: The Case for Space Domain Awareness
2022 Space Course Pt. 2: The Case for Space Domain Awareness

Register now! The webinar on April 26 will explore the present landscape of Space Domain Awareness, international law and more.

A Major Impact
Space Junk
A Major Impact

Guest: Dr. P.J. Blount of Cardiff University addresses the challenges of international law and geopolitical tensions in creating a sustainable space environment and explains why space traffic management is a future-oriented idea.