The European Space Agency: The role of the legal counsel in a specialized organization and as a space law-maker

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization that aims at providing for, promoting, and coordinating the development of peaceful space exploration and activities through institutionalized cooperation amongst European States. The ESA is also a European institution, aimed at strengthening European space industries, research and technology, and applications for both scientific and operational purposes. This chapter details ‘European visions’ for future space policy and activities; lays out the ESA’s current and future objectives and activities, including those relating to the International Space Station, space exploration, earth observation, access to space, and the organization’s possible evolution; the ESA’s role as law-maker; and the role of the ESA’s Legal Counsel and Legal Services Department. The Counsel and Office have a two-fold function: to advise the Agency on legal aspects of international activities, and represent/defend the Agency in all institutional and jurisdictional instances. The chapter concludes by considering the influence of ESA actions and initiatives on space law and the role of the European Centre for Space Law.