11.10.2006
SpaceLawTube [update]
It's been a hectic, high-drama week, and now, just in time for the weekend, I thought I'd share some nifty, relaxing, unstar-studded space law videos I've been collecting.Of course, no legal specialty -- not even space law -- quite lends itself to a glamorous multimedia makeover. Nonetheless, in keeping with our digital times, space law webcasts, videos and other action-unpacked offerings do pop up around webspace.
But no, you won't find any of these items making the hit lists on YouTube.
First, feast your eyes on a collection of space law videos from the 15th ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy, which took place took place in Noordwijk, The Netherlands in September 2006. Here is the menu of available video presentations:
-- Mr. B. Smith (Alcatel) talks about intellectual property rights and why frequencies cannot be patented but orbits or their use can.
-- Dr. Jean Clavel (head of the astronomy division of the Directorate of
Science Programme of ESA) explains the universe and presents the ESA missions
Herschel, Plank and Lisa.
-- Mr. Jerome Bequignon (Directorate of Earth Observation of ESA) talks about the International Charter of Space and Major Disasters and the cooperative mechanism of disaster management.
-- Prof. R. Harris (University of London) discusses the legal policies in
place regarding earth observation data based on examples from the US, Europe,
Canada and India.
-- Prof. Frans van der Dunk (University of Leiden) talks about legal implications of space tourism."
And yes, in later posts, I summarize some of these interesting talks.
Next, via ESA TV (that's the European Space Agency), a feed from the European Commission's "Europe by Satellite" (EbS) service -- a five minute interview with ESA's Director of Legal and External Relations, Rene Oosterlinck, who is also a Professor of Space Law at Gent University in Belgium. The professor talks about who owns and regulates space and why space laws are necessary. (If this sounds familiar, I notice Clark Lindsey, Esq. had already found and linked this vodcast on HobbySpace.) By the way, for you true geeks -- and we know who you are -- don't worry, ESA TV provides satellite parameters on this: EUTELSAT HOT BIRD at 13° East (DVB/MPEG-2) Horizontal, F=12,476 MHz (MCPC, Europe by Satellite) SR=27,500 MS/sec, FEC=3/4. There.
(And, only for those who must, here is a PDF script of the video.)
Moving right along, we have a very scintillating item titled, Careers for the 21st Century: Space Lawyer, presented by, of all things, the Encyclopedia Britannica Online. The undated (but most likely circa late 20th century) clip features space lawyers Stewart Harris and George Robinson, both ready for their close-ups, talking briefly about their cool profession.
What else? As I've previously linked, from EuroNews, here's a short video on space law.
So kick back, pop some kettle corn, and watch littlele space law on the web. (And try to ignore -- and no I will not link -- that unfortunate YouTube clip, rebroadcast on MSNBC last night, of the guy shooting a bottle rocket from a part of his anatomy usually not reserved for, well, that sort of endeavor. And if the guy injured himself and calls asking for a lawyer, we don't know any.)
Keep in mind this space law stuff is videotaped and recorded exclusively on Earth. But if you are looking for action and images from space, rather than the unspectacular spectacle of lawyers on Earth yapping about space, tune in, for example, to NASA's historic first live high def broadcast from ISS -- that's next week.
And you don't need an ESApod to enjoy any of the above.
Pass the Goobers?
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UPDATE 11/13/06: Ah. Over the weekend, an SLP reader and online video wrangler kindly shared with me the very strange and somewhat disturbing, George the Space Lawyer, a short flash animation featuring a rather nonscrupulous lawyer, a proposed plan to commit insurance fraud and a belligerent, talking log cabin that commits suicide. How did I miss this? The offering represents a genre all its own, and I would not necessarily be remiss to exclude it here since despite the catchy title, George is not really a space lawyer at all ;). But check it out for yourself. (And thanks for the link, CR!)
