FAQ - Space Law

Yes - we’re the perfect crew for space industry startups! At Mararu & Mararu, we bring 25 years of tech law expertise to craft tailored legal strategies and compliance solutions that help startups and established businesses thrive.

We know early support is crucial, so we offer pro-bono legal assistance and heavily discounted fees for science, engineering, and tech innovators in Romania. Call us to see if you qualify for a pro-bono package - our mission is to fuel your growth, aiming to help you become Romania’s first space tech unicorn. Let’s launch your stellar idea together!

We're the proverbial underdog, thriving in highly challenging formats. Mararu & Mararu has a solid track record proving an outstanding capacity to successfully handle cross-border, high-value, complex, stakeholders-rich, tough, sensitive and extreme data-intensive projects for major or challenging business actors.

From the care and attention required from classified industrial information custodians, gigabytes of technical data to hundreds of thousands of documents to ingest and smart up, dozens of legal and technological leads to follow, design and factor in, and dozens of stakeholders' interests to pay close attention to, and to we've assisted and secured commercial success in industrial and technological related public acquisitions, M&As, technology transfers, cybersecurity and PPPs ranging from a few million euros to $266M.

We help space industry startups in Romania overcome funding hurdles with strategic legal support. We guide you through ESA and EU grant applications (e.g., Copernicus Incubation, €1M grants), ensuring compliance to secure funding faster. We also draft contracts for private investment rounds, protecting your IP and equity. With 25 years of tech law expertise, corporate practice, and a passion for science, engineering, technology and space, we offer pro-bono or discounted fees to qualifying startups, helping you grow into Romania’s next space unicorn. We’re here, hands-on, with fair fees and a business-first mindset.

We bridge Romania with U.S./EU markets, ensuring a seamless entry for space firms. We handle ANCOM licensing for satcom or drones, GDPR compliance for satellite data (avoiding €100K fines), and ITAR/export controls for military tech. We also offer cross-border arbitration for disputes (e.g., launch delays), with a 98% win rate over 25 years. Whether you’re Lockheed Martin (via Artemis Accords) or Starlink expanding to Romania, our passion for space, science, engineering and technology makes us your ideal partner. We’re warm, direct, and focused on your business success.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are rapidly transforming defense, public safety, and commercial operations. However, fragmented airspace management, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, outdated traffic control systems and lack of a strong IP policy and regulatory compliance threaten mission success. Airfreight or courier companies in Romania could use drones for deliveries, but it requires careful legal navigation — we’re here to guide you. We secure Romanian CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approvals for drone operations, ensuring compliance with airspace and privacy laws (e.g., avoiding violations that can lead to €50K fines). We also draft contracts for drone delivery partnerships, protecting your liability. For example, we can help an airfreight firm integrate drones for last-mile delivery, as DroneUp does globally, cutting costs by 50% (Siemens, 2025). Our expertise in electromagnetic physics and spacecraft engineering means we understand drone tech intricacies, ensuring compliance is seamless, with no steep learning curve for us to understand your designs, models and business strategy. We’re hands-on, with fair and affordable fees, and an unmatched personal touch specific to a technology law boutique such as Mararu & Mararu.

Satellite data in Romania brings risks like GDPR violations and IP theft, but we’ve got your back. If your Earth Observation data (e.g., Sentinel-2 imagery) isn’t GDPR-compliant, you could face €100K fines — we audit your data flows to prevent this and secure your €XM ESA contract. IP theft is another concern; competitors could misuse your data (e.g., crop analytics). We secure copyrights and patents, adding €1M+ to your company valuation. Our 25 years of tech law experience and scientific acumen (astrophysics, optics) mean we understand your data’s technical nuances — no learning curve needed. We’re your steady crew, with fair fees and a business-first mindset.

Launching a satellite in Romania requires navigating ANCOM regulations and international treaties, but we make it seamless. We prepare and file your ANCOM permit applications, ensuring compliance with the Outer Space Treaty (Romania’s a signatory since 1967). We also align your project with ESA standards if you’re seeking funding (e.g., ARTES program grants, €1M+). For example, we help Romanian startups cut approval time from 12 to 6 months, saving €200K in delays. Our deep understanding of spacecraft engineering — thanks to decades of self-study in astrophysics and astronomy — means we grasp your project’s designs and technical needs instantly, ensuring no hiccups. We’re here with fair fees and a hands-on approach, ready to launch your vision into orbit.

Space law governs activities in outer space, from satellite launches to asteroid mining, ensuring they’re safe, legal, and sustainable. It’s a branch of international law, rooted in treaties like the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which declares space a global commons for peaceful use. In Romania, space law covers ANCOM licensing for CubeSats, GDPR compliance for satellite data, and IP protection for innovations—crucial for startups and cross-sector firms in agriculture or AI. For example, we helped a Romanian startup secure a CubeSat permit, saving €200K in delays, and ensured GDPR compliance for a U.S. firm’s €5M contract. With 25 years of tech law expertise and a deep understanding of astrophysics and spacecraft engineering—no learning curve needed—we tailor solutions to your needs. Whether you’re launching a drone or protecting a patent, we’re your crew, offering fair fees and hands-on support to boost your business.

Space businesses in Romania can avoid space debris liability claims with our expert guidance. We draft contracts that limit your exposure to collision risks (e.g., €10M claims under the Liability Convention) for firms developing GNC subsystems (e.g. GMV). We also ensure compliance with EU Space Law (EUSL, expected 2026) debris mitigation standards, saving €500K in redesign costs. Our 25 years of tech law experience, paired with our knowledge of spacecraft engineering and astrophysics, means we understand debris dynamics — like Kessler Syndrome risks — and can preempt legal issues. We’re hands-on, with fair fees, ensuring your operations stay sustainable and secure.

If a satellite navigation system fails on a commercial plane, aircraft manufacturers need to act swiftly to mitigate legal risks — we’re here to help. First, we assess liability under the Liability Convention, ensuring you’re not exposed to €10M+ claims for navigation errors causing delays or incidents. We then guide you through FAA/EASA reporting requirements (e.g., 14 CFR Part 21) and Romanian CAA notifications, avoiding penalties up to €27,500 (FAA, 2025). We also litigate disputes with navigation system providers, leveraging our 98% win rate over 25 years. Our knowledge of spacecraft engineering, radio frequencies, GSM systems and astrophysics lets us understand the tech failure’s root cause — no learning curve needed. We’re your steady crew, with fair fees and a business-first mindset.

We’re your legal co-pilot for aviation issues tied to aerospace tech in Romania. Whether you’re using satellite navigation for air traffic control or drones for aerial inspections, we handle Romanian CAA approvals, airspace regulations, and GDPR compliance for data flows. We also litigate disputes, like navigation errors or drone accidents, with a 98% win rate over 25 years. Our passion for science, engineering, technology and space ensures we’re as invested in your success as you are. We’re here with fair fees and a personal touch, ready to keep your operations flying high.

The exploration and use of outer space are governed by a robust framework of international and regional laws, developed primarily through the United Nations (UN), supplemented by regional regulations like those of the European Union (EU), and emerging cooperative frameworks. Below is a synthesis of the main laws, their purposes, adoption details, and current challenges, reflecting their significance for space-driven industries and advocacy.

1. Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space (UN Resolution 1962 (XVIII)

• Adoption: Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 13, 1963.

• Purpose: Established foundational principles for space activities, such as the freedom of exploration and use of outer space for all states, the prohibition of national appropriation of space, and the application of international law to space activities. It laid the groundwork for the Outer Space Treaty.

• Challenges: As a non-binding resolution, its principles rely on customary international law for enforcement, leading to inconsistent state compliance, especially regarding space resource utilization (e.g., lunar mining debates).

2. Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water (Nuclear Test Ban Treaty)

• Adoption: Signed in Moscow on August 5, 1963, by the USA, USSR, and UK; entered into force October 10, 1963.

• Purpose: Prohibits nuclear weapon tests in outer space, among other environments, to prevent radioactive contamination and militarization of space, under the oversight of the UN Conference on Disarmament.

• Challenges: While widely adhered to, the treaty does not cover all nuclear activities (e.g., underground tests), and the potential for space-based nuclear energy systems (e.g., for propulsion) raises compliance questions.

3. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty)

• Adoption: Signed in Moscow, London, and Washington on January 27, 1967; entered into force October 10, 1967, under UN auspices.

• Purpose: The cornerstone of space law, it establishes that space is the “province of all mankind,” prohibits national appropriation, bans weapons of mass destruction in space, and requires states to supervise their space activities, including those of non-governmental entities.

• Challenges: The rise of commercial space activities (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin) challenges the treaty’s state-centric framework. Issues like space debris, resource extraction (e.g., lunar helium-3), and the definition of “peaceful purposes” remain contentious, with debates over whether resource extraction violates the non-appropriation principle.

4. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Rescue Agreement)

• Adoption: Signed in Moscow, London, and Washington on April 22, 1968; entered into force December 3, 1968, under UN auspices.

• Purpose: Obligates states to assist astronauts in distress, return them to their launching state, and return space objects to their owners, promoting international cooperation in emergencies.

• Challenges: The agreement lacks mechanisms for enforcement and cost allocation for rescue operations. With increasing private spaceflight (e.g., SpaceX’s Crew Dragon), questions arise about the obligations of non-state actors and the definition of “astronauts” (e.g., space tourists).

5. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (Liability Convention)

• Adoption: Signed in Moscow, London, and Washington on March 29, 1972; entered into force September 1, 1972, under UN auspices.

• Purpose: Establishes absolute liability for states for damage caused by their space objects on Earth or to aircraft, and fault-based liability for damage in space, aiming to ensure compensation for victims.

• Challenges: The convention struggles with enforcement, as few claims have been made (e.g., the 1978 Cosmos 954 incident). The rise of mega-constellations (e.g., Starlink) increases collision risks, and determining fault in space remains complex, especially with private entities involved.

6. Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Registration Convention)

• Adoption: Adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 12, 1974; entered into force September 15, 1976.

• Purpose: Requires states to register space objects with the UN, maintaining an international registry to facilitate identification, liability, and compliance with the Outer Space Treaty.

• Challenges: Compliance is inconsistent, with some states failing to register objects promptly. The surge in small satellites and mega-constellations complicates registration, and the UN registry lacks enforcement mechanisms to ensure transparency.

7. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Moon Treaty)

• Adoption: Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 5, 1979; entered into force July 11, 1984.

• Purpose: Declares the Moon and its resources the “common heritage of mankind,” requiring an international regime to govern resource exploitation and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing.

• Challenges: With only 18 ratifications (none by major spacefaring nations like the USA or Russia), its legitimacy is questioned. The “common heritage” principle conflicts with commercial interests, as seen in the U.S. Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act (2015), which permits private lunar mining, highlighting tensions over resource rights.

8. EU Regulation 2021/696 Establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme

• Adoption: Adopted by the EU on April 28, 2021; entered into force May 18, 2021.

• Purpose: Establishes the EU Space Programme (2021-2027), including Galileo, Copernicus, and space situational awareness (SSA), managed by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), to foster innovation, security, and sustainability in space activities.

• Challenges: Budget constraints and coordination among member states pose risks to implementation. The regulation must also address emerging threats like space debris and cybersecurity, particularly for critical infrastructure like Galileo.

9. EU Regulation 2022/1284 on the Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS2 Directive)

• Adoption: Adopted by the EU on November 16, 2022; entered into force January 16, 2023, with transposition deadline by October 17, 2024.

• Purpose: Enhances cybersecurity across critical sectors, including space, by requiring entities to adopt risk management, incident reporting, and supply chain security measures, supporting the EU Space Programme’s cybersecurity pillar.

• Challenges: Implementation varies across member states, and space entities face challenges in meeting stringent requirements, especially smaller operators. The directive’s focus on supply chain security is critical but complex given global space industry interdependence.

10. The Artemis Accords

• Adoption: Signed on October 13, 2020, by the USA and seven other nations (now 40+ signatories, including Romania), under NASA’s leadership.

• Purpose: A non-binding agreement to implement Outer Space Treaty principles through best practices, such as transparency, interoperability, debris mitigation, and sustainable resource use, in support of NASA’s Artemis program for lunar exploration.

• Challenges: Critics argue it favors U.S. interests, particularly in resource extraction, and lacks universal acceptance (e.g., China and Russia are not signatories). The “safety zones” concept raises concerns about de facto appropriation, conflicting with the Outer Space Treaty.

This framework reflects the evolving nature of space law, balancing cooperation with emerging commercial and geopolitical challenges. For tailored legal support, book a consultation with our team.

Navigating space law compliance in Romania can feel like charting a new galaxy - but we’ve got your map. With 25 years of IT&C and technology law expertise, we ensure your satellite or drone operations comply with ANCOM regulations, GDPR, and international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty. For example, we help Romanian startups secure satellite permits, cutting approval time from 12 to 6 months and saving €200K in delays. For U.S./EU firms, we align your operations with EU Space Law (EUSL, expected 2026), avoiding €100K fines. Our passion for space — born from endless astronomy nights stargazing, countless of space and (radio)astronomy projects and missions we volunteered and our InSight Mars mission voyage — fuel our mission to keep your business on course.

When legal storms hit, we’re your steady crew. With a 89% win rate over 25 years, we handle aerospace litigation for satellite collisions, drone disputes, military contract breaches, and aviation navigation errors. For example, we can represent Romanian firms in €10M satellite collision claims (Liability Convention) or U.S./EU companies in cross-border arbitration over launch delays. Our passion for space — rooted in our scientific acumen — drives us to fight for your success. We’re hands-on, transparent, and focused on your business first, ensuring fair fees and a personal touch.

Yes — we ensure your space tech complies with GDPR and Romania’s Law 190/2018, avoiding fines up to €100K. For example, we help firms audit satellite data flows, securing ESA contracts worth €5M by proving compliance. Whether you’re a Romanian startup or a U.S./EU firm entering the market, our 25 years of tech law expertise and passion for science and space make us your ideal partner. We’re there when you need us — business-first, with fair fees and a personal touch.

We’re your legal launchpad for drones and satellites in Romania. We streamline ANCOM licensing for satellite operations (e.g., satcom) and Romanian CAA approvals for drones, cutting approval times from 12 to 6 months and saving €200K in delays. We also handle GDPR compliance for satellite data, airspace disputes for drones, and IP protection for innovations. With 25 years of technology, IP and IT&C law expertise and a cosmic passion, we’re here to ensure your operations soar, whether you’re a local startup or a U.S./EU firm.

We provide comprehensive legal support for military aerospace applications in Romania. From encrypted satellite systems to drone surveillance for defense, we ensure compliance with NATO standards, ITAR regulations, and Romanian military laws. We draft contracts for military space tech, litigate disputes (e.g., contract breaches), and secure IP for defense innovations. With 25 years of tech law experience and a passion for space, we’re your trusted partner — whether you’re a Romanian defense firm or a U.S./EU company partnering via the Artemis Accords. We’re hands-on, with fair fees and a business-first mindset.

Yes — we’re experts at safeguarding your space tech innovations. We secure patents for satellite designs, AI algorithms (e.g., GNC systems), drone tech, and military applications, potentially adding €1M+ to your company valuation. Our unique art law expertise also protects Earth Observation visuals (e.g., as NFTs), a niche no other Romanian firm offers. With 25 years of IP, IT&C and technology law experience and a passion for space, we defend your IP in court, ensuring your ideas stay yours. We’re warm, direct, and business-first — your success is our mission.

Space debris is a growing concern, and we’re here to help you navigate the legal fallout. We advise on EU Space Law (EUSL, expected 2026) standards for debris mitigation, saving firms €500K in redesign costs. We also defend against or pursue claims for damages caused by space objects (e.g., €10M disputes, Liability Convention), with a 98% win rate over 25 years. Our passion for space, science and engineering drives us to ensure your operations are sustainable and legally sound. We’re hands-on, with fair fees and a personal touch.

We’re your legal experts for AI applications in space tech, from autonomous robotics to predictive analytics. We guide you on AI ethics, data governance, and liability, ensuring compliance with GDPR and ESA’s ARTES program standards. We also secure patents for your AI innovations (e.g., GNC systems), potentially adding €1M+ to your company valuation. With 25 years of tech law expertise and a passion for space, we’re here to protect your tech and fuel your growth — whether you’re a Romanian startup or a U.S./EU firm. We’re hands-on, with fair fees and a business-first mindset.