SPACE BUSINESS AND LAW

The course examines the topic of organisational structure within the context of the modern space industry (the so-called ‘Space Economy’), with a particular focus on space project management and the relevant regulations. Through a detailed analysis of managerial processes, contractual instruments and regulations, the course aims to provide both theoretical and practical tools for managing the project lifecycle.

Basic knowledge of: • Business Organization • Economics and Business Management • Administrative and International Law

By the end of the course, students will be able to: Knowledge and understanding • Understand the fundamentals of project lifecycle management in the space sector • Be familiar with the main methodologies for planning, scheduling and controlling a project in the space sector • Be familiar with the main international, European and Italian sources governing the new field of the space economy Ability to apply knowledge and understanding • Ability to identify the stakeholders of a space project and effectively manage their expectations • Ability to correctly develop the planning and scheduling of a space project and then monitor and control it effectively during the execution phase • Ability to interact and liaise with the main public and private actors in the space sector, navigating the various international, European and national sources on the subject Independence of judgement • Be able to assess the complex and critical aspects of a space-related project • Understand the managerial constraints linked to the corporate dynamics of organisations operating in the space sector, and be able to align project objectives with the company’s overall strategy • Identify possible solutions to practical cases in the space sector Communication skills • Present business case analyses in a structured and concise manner • Clearly justify project decisions and the management of risks and opportunities • Master, with appropriate terminological precision, the economic and legal vocabulary specific to space law Learning skills • Integrate theory, empirical evidence and managerial applications • Independently understand and interpret new developments in legislation, legal doctrine and case law

INTRODUCTION (Sandulli, Gerosa) (4 ore) • The functional and operational framework of the Space Economy: objectives, institutions, regulations, practices and behavior within the Space Economy • Space Economy: how the space industry is changing PART 1 – SPACE BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Gerosa) Module 1 – Project & Product Management (4 hours) • Project vs. Product Management (recurring and non-recurring elements) • Projects/Programs/Portfolios within the corporate organziation • Project lifecycle • The project team • Project Management Standards (including ECSS Standards) Module 2 – Tender phase and project kick-off (4 hours) • Tender Phase • Negotiation • Project stakeholders • Award, handover and project kick-off • Soft Skills for the Project Manager Module 3 – Planning and Scheduling Phase of a project (4 hours) • Planning and Scheduling • PERT Methodology • Project Gantt Chart • Other Project Management Tools Module 4 – Execution, Monitoring & Control and Closure Phases of a project (8 hours) • Project Monitoring and Control • Earned Value Management and other performance measurement and control techniques (KPIs) • Integrated Risk and Opportunity Management • Cross-functional processes (Procurement, Quality, Configuration, .) • Project closure PART 2 – SPACE LAW (Sandulli) Module 5 – International and European Space Law (4 hours) • The Outer Space Treaty • The proposed EU Space Act Module 6 – Space Governance (4 hours) • Public space entities • Private space entities Module 7 – Space Activities and Infrastructure (8 hours) • Public procurement and public-private partnerships in space • Space activities and services • Space infrastructure Module 8 – Liability, sustainability and safety in space (4 hours) • Liability of space operators and states • Sustainability and safety of space activities CONCLUSIONS (Sandulli, Gerosa) (4 ore)

• Gerosa, S., Somma, R. (2011), Tecniche e Metodologie di Project Management: la gestione di programmi complessi con particolare riferimento al settore spaziale. Aracne Editrice • PMI (2025), PMBOK Guide: A Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge - 8th Edition. Project Management Institute • ESA, European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) Standards. For the legal part of the course, attending students may refer to the slides made available during the lessons. Non-attending students, however, will need to prepare using the following articles published in the Rivista di Diritto Costituzionale, 2026, issue 1: • Pietro Pustorino, Spazio extra-atmosferico e beni comuni nel diritto internazionale • Maria Elena De Maestri, La governance multilivello delle attività spaziali • Aldo Sandulli, Poteri pubblici e privati nel diritto dello Spazio: verso una Compagnia delle Indie oltre la linea di Kármán? • Elisabetta Tatì, Lo Spazio come impresa comune nell’ordinamento europeo: tra ricerca e innovazione

• Lectures • Case studies • Individual and group exercises • Multiple-choice questionnaires (quizzes) • Final project work

Written exam (60%) • Theoretical open-ended questions • Multiple-choice questions Group project work (20%) • Proposal for a themed project, including a cost and time schedule Active participation (20%) • Logical consistency

Course attendance, interest shown in the subject, exam mark