Remote Sensing and International Law

Remote sensing is emerging as a salient technology across several domains, including the investigation of international crimes and territorial and maritime disputes, border management, urban planning, and environmental monitoring. The ability to observe, detect, and interpret activities and changes on Earth from space has become a cornerstone of decision-making in national security, environmental governance, and humanitarian response. Yet, these benefits notwithstanding, remote sensing's capacity for mass surveillance, its inherently dual-use nature, and rapid commercialisation have precipitated notable ramifications for both individual and state rights.

For our last episode of the year, we (at the Space Law and Security Advisory) are delighted to host Prof. Frans von der Dunk, a leading authority in space law, to discuss the international law governing remote sensing, particularly its scope and limitations in relation to state and individual rights.