Call for Papers: National Conference on Legal Dimensions of Space Governance, Sustainability and International Cooperation at IIST Thiruvananthapuram [Abstracts by 15 October]
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, with Mar Gregorios College of Law.About the conference
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, in association with Mar Gregorios College of Law (MGCL), is organising a two-day National Conference on Legal Dimensions of Space Governance, Sustainability and International Cooperation on 18 and 19 December 2026 at the IIST campus.
The conference responds to the rapid growth of space activity by government and private actors, from satellite constellations and commercial ventures to lunar exploration, and the need for legal and regulatory frameworks that keep outer space responsible, sustainable and peaceful. It will have plenary and keynote sessions and paper presentations.
About the organisers
IIST was established in 2007 by the Department of Space, Government of India, as Asia's first space university. It works closely with ISRO and runs undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in aerospace engineering, avionics, earth and space sciences and related fields.
Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram, established in 2012, is affiliated to the University of Kerala and approved by the Bar Council of India. It offers a five-year integrated law programme.
Conference topics
- Foundations and evolution of international space law and policies
- The International Space Station and beyond
- Space commercialisation and national legislation
- Remote sensing, satellite communication and global navigation
- Planetary defence, anti-weaponisation, space debris and environmental governance
- New frontiers: AI, space traffic management and emerging technologies
Who may submit
Original, unpublished papers are invited from academicians, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, scientists and students.
Abstract guidelines
- Abstracts of 300 to 400 words, with proper affiliations.
- Upload the abstract in the required format on the conference website by 15 October 2026. You need to create a user account first (name, designation, address, mobile number, email, category and Aadhaar).
- Accepted papers will be notified for oral or poster presentation. The organisers say prizes are likely to be awarded for the best papers.
- Full papers are due by 15 November 2026.
Registration fees
Pay after your abstract is accepted, through the conference website. The fee includes GST and lunch and refreshments on both days.
- Students: Rs 1,000 (Rs 1,250 late)
- Faculty, scientists, advocates and government delegates: Rs 3,000 (Rs 3,750 late)
- Industry delegates: Rs 4,500 (Rs 5,625 late)
The standard deadline is 20 November 2026; the late fee applies from 21 to 30 November, and registration must be complete by 30 November. Accommodation charges will be announced later.
Publication
According to the official brochure, all accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings.
Speakers and committee
Listed speakers include Shri G. Narayanan (former CMD, NSIL), Prof. V. Balakista Reddy (Chairman, TGCHE, and former Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR), Dr. Lekha S. Chakraborty (NIPFP), Dr. Vinod Kumar (Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe), V. Gopala Krishnan (NIAS, former space law and policy analyst, ISRO) and Prof. Sreejith S. G.
The convenor is Dr. V. Ravi, Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIST, with co-convenors from IIST and MGCL.