National Conference on Legal Dimensions of Space Governance, Sustainability and International Cooperation 2026
The National Conference on Space Governance 2026 will bring together academics, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, scientists and students to examine emerging legal and policy questions in the space sector. The conference will focus on space governance, sustainability, international cooperation and the changing regulatory framework around space activities.
The conference is organised by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, in association with Mar Gregorios College of Law (MGCL), Thiruvananthapuram. It will take place on 18–19 December 2026 at the IIST campus in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Participants can submit original and unpublished abstracts by 15 October 2026. Accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings.
About the Conference
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, is an autonomous institute under the Department of Space, Government of India. It focuses on education and research in space science and technology.
Mar Gregorios College of Law (MGCL), Thiruvananthapuram, is affiliated with the University of Kerala and approved by the Bar Council of India. The institution offers legal education with a focus on academic and professional development.
Together, IIST and MGCL are organising this National Conference on Legal Dimensions of Space Governance, Sustainability and International Cooperation. The conference aims to create an interdisciplinary platform for discussion on the evolving legal framework governing space activities.
The IIST MGCL Conference 2026 will examine developments in international space law and policy alongside practical challenges created by commercialisation, emerging technologies and increasing private participation in the space sector.
The conference will also address issues involving national space legislation, satellite communication, remote sensing, space debris, environmental governance, planetary defence, artificial intelligence and space traffic management.
The programme will include plenary sessions, keynote sessions and paper presentations. In addition, accepted abstracts will feature in the conference proceedings.
Call for Papers and Themes
The organisers invite original and unpublished abstracts from academicians, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, scientists and students. The call is particularly relevant for researchers working on space law, international law, technology law, environmental law, public policy and related interdisciplinary areas.
For the space law call for papers 2026, abstracts should contain 300–400 words and include the author’s institutional affiliation. Participants must submit their abstracts through the official conference website.
The conference will cover the following broad themes:
- Foundations and Evolution of International Space Law and Policies
- The International Space Station and Beyond
- Space Commercialization and National Legislation
- Remote Sensing, Satellite Communication, and Global Navigation
- Planetary Defense, Anti-weaponization and Annihilation, Space Debris and Environmental Governance
- New Frontiers: AI, Space Traffic Management, and Emerging Technologies
These themes create scope for research into several contemporary issues. For example, participants can examine space commercialisation, national space legislation, satellite communication law, remote sensing regulation, space debris and environmental governance.
Researchers can also explore planetary defence law, AI and space law, space traffic management, emerging technologies and international cooperation. These areas make the conference relevant to both traditional international space law research and newer questions involving technology and sustainability.
The conference is open to participants from academic, professional and scientific backgrounds who have an interest in the legal, policy or interdisciplinary dimensions of space governance.
Important Dates and Registration Fee
The abstract submission deadline is 15 October 2026. The organisers will announce the acceptance of abstracts on 20 October 2026. Authors must then submit their full papers by 15 November 2026.
The payment deadline is 20 November 2026. Participants who make payment after this date can do so with a penalty until 30 November 2026.
The registration fee depends on the participant category. Students pay Rs. 1,000, while faculty members, scientists, advocates and government delegates pay Rs. 3,000. The fee for industry delegates is Rs. 4,500. These amounts include applicable GST.
Participants must first submit their abstract through the official conference website. After the organisers accept the abstract, participants can complete the registration and payment process.
Submit your abstract and register here:
Official Conference Registration Portal
You can also refer to the official conference brochure for the complete call for papers, themes and participation details:
Download the Conference Brochure
Conference Details and Contact
The National Conference on Space Governance 2026 will take place on 18–19 December 2026 at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
IIST will organise the conference in association with Mar Gregorios College of Law (MGCL), Thiruvananthapuram.
Researchers and students interested in presenting a paper should submit their abstracts before the 15 October 2026 deadline. The conference provides an opportunity to engage with current questions in international space law, space policy, sustainability and emerging space technologies.
For queries, participants can contact the organisers at spaceconferenceiist@gmail.com or iistspaceseminar@mgcl.ac.in.
The student coordinators are Devi Nandana V S (+91 97782 42072), Archa M P (+91 82812 94916), Nimisha S. Nair (+91 88485 98608), and Adnan Afsal (+91 97782 05606).
