Meet our SPACE COURT INTERNS AND RAPPORTEURS
Kaili Ayers, a juris doctor candidate at the University of Oregon School of Law, is forging a distinctive path in space law, underpinned by a solid foundation in international relations from Harvard Extension School and interdisciplinary studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her academic pursuits are marked by a masterful blend of liberal arts and a dedication to nuanced understanding, especially within Japanese-English translation and interpretation.
Her master’s thesis, “Emerging Anti-Satellite Capabilities and the Recourse to Deterrence Theory in Practice,” is a testament to her deep engagement with pressing issues at the nexus of technology and policy. Kaili’s leap into space law was propelled by the field’s infancy and boundless potential to shape a collective future, driving her commitment to join and contribute to this burgeoning community of trailblazers.
Kaili’s immediate professional objectives include delving into the telecommunications sector of legal practice, focusing on regulatory aspects of spectrum allocation and wireless licensing. She envisions her journey leading her to an in-house legal position within the space industry or a regulatory role within governmental agencies overseeing outer space endeavors.
As a student volunteer with the American Bar Association SciTech Space Law Committee, Ms. Ayers is already contributing to the discourse on space law, ensuring her presence is felt among industry pioneers. With the space sector evolving, she remains enthusiastically receptive to unforeseen opportunities that this dynamic field may unveil.
Adina Darbyshire is an Australian-qualified lawyer from Japan with experience at a global law firm focusing on M&A, venture capital, and public international law (e.g., investment law and human rights law). Adina has a passion for international space law as well as its interplay with other specialised areas of public international law (e.g., IHL). During her undergraduate degree, Adina studied international space law and joined her university’s Rocketry team as a safety and legal researcher. After graduating, Adina led a number of multi-jurisdictional pro bono legal research projects (e.g., child protection, disinformation law, State immunity) and coordinated educational programs centred on public international law and international space law on behalf of a US-based NPO dedicated to pro bono and public interest advocacy. In pursuit of her research interests in public international law and international space law in particular, Adina is currently based in Belgium undertaking a Master of Laws in International and European Public Law at KU Leuven, and is conducting research at the Space Court Foundation on space law in the jurisdictions of Japan and Australia. Adina is looking forward to supporting the important mission of the Space Court Foundation in promoting research and education on space law and policy around the world.
Caylan Fazio is barred in Ohio, USA and serves as Of Counsel at Yormick Law. Her practice focuses on supporting space, aerospace, and defense industries with export controls and national security matters. Her work has included providing an ITAR and EAR jurisdiction and classification analyses, preparing voluntary disclosure regarding unlicensed exports, and advising businesses on information storage and management for export controlled technologies.
Caylan graduated from Cleveland State University College of Law in May 2025 magna cum laude with a Certificate in Space Law. During her time in law school, she was a research assistant to Dr. Mark Sundahl, director of the CSU Global Space Law Center, and a three-year member of the Center’s research council. Her research included national launch authorization, international coordination on the moon, and the drafting procedure of the Artemis Accords.
During the Spring of 2025, she was a Legal Extern at SpaceValley Foundation, a non-profit based in New Mexico. Her work focused on researching inland spaceports, FAA launch licensing regulations, and the use of public-private partnerships to develop spaceports and aerospace innovation hubs.
In February 2025, she served as the Managing Symposium Editor of the Global Business Law Review and co-led the organization of the symposium, The Legal and Operational Challenges of Human Spaceflight, and also moderated the panel on Northeast Ohio’s Aerospace Industry, featuring three Ohio space lawyers.
Caylan remains active in the International Law and SciTech Law Sections of the American Bar Association and the Moon Village Association, where she has served as a core member of the Distributive Tech Working Group: Compliance-by-Design for Lunar Autonomous Systems Impact on Lunar Governance since April 2025.
Moritz Hieronymi is a dual doctoral researcher at the Beijing Institute of Technology in China and Europa-Universität Viadrina in Germany. He holds an LL.M. in International Economic Law from BIT, where he received a Chinese merit scholarship and won the university’s Excellence Master’s Thesis Award. Before that, he completed his Diploma in Law at Viadrina with a focus on international and European law.
His doctoral research explores how international space law addresses the militarisation of Lagrange Points. It dives into questions of space security, dual-use governance, and especially how the Outer Space Treaty should be interpreted in today’s context.
He came to space law somewhat indirectly through public international law and sanctions law. That background led him to broader issues like jurisdiction in outer space, space traffic management, and orbital debris. Along the way, he has co-authored work on international human rights law and is currently developing research on commercial space regulation and national jurisdiction in space.
Moritz has taught graduate courses in international law, space law, and humanitarian law at universities in Germany, China, and Russia. He has served as a judge in the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition and advises the Africa Space Education and Policy Initiative on incorporating space law principles into national frameworks. He also coordinates a university network focused on space policy and law education across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Looking ahead, he wants to continue working at the intersection of space law and security policy. He’s particularly interested in roles that combine serious research with real-world policy impact in the international sphere.
Outside of academia, he enjoys reading philosophy and following sports. He is fluent in German and English, has professional working proficiency in Chinese, and basic knowledge of French.
Ava Hutchison is a doctoral student at the Sciences Po Paris Law School, and joined the Space Court Foundation in January 2025 as the rapporteur for the Big Book of Space Law – France. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2023 and her Master’s Degree in Droit économique in 2026 from Sciences Po Paris, and has conducted research under the UN Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Observatoire des algorithmes publiques, Sciences Po Tech & Global Affairs Hub, and EuroSpaceHub project. Ava’s primary research interests lie at the intersection of emerging technologies, military and security practices, and international legal theory. Through her work with the SCF, she hopes to continue the long academic and civil society tradition of pushing for peaceful international cooperation and collective participation in norm-setting in times of instability and isolationism
Valeria Navarrete, a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies candidate at the University of Waterloo, is making significant strides in the interdisciplinary realms of space law and human rights. Her academic journey began with an Honors degree in Psychology, with a Research Intensive Specialization and a Minor in Legal Studies, also from the University of Waterloo. This unique blend of psychology and legal studies provides Valeria with a nuanced perspective, particularly valuable in the evolving field of space law.
Valeria’s journey into space law was serendipitous, sparked by her curiosity in public international law. This exploration led her to the intriguing and multifaceted world of space law, a field she describes as a captivating rabbit hole from which she has no intention of emerging. Her enthusiasm for the subject is evident in her eagerness to delve deeper into its complexities.
In the short term, Valeria is keen on expanding her involvement in the space community. She is considering engaging with the Space Generation Advisory Council, particularly in their policy, law, ethics, and human rights groups. These interests align seamlessly with her long-term aspiration of attending law school, with an ambition to explore the intersection of space law and human rights – a reflection of her enduring commitment to broadening her horizons.
Valeria’s personal hobbies are as diverse and engaging as her academic pursuits. She enjoys reading, music, and puzzles, and stays active with sports like kickboxing, boxing, rock climbing, and soccer. Valeria also cherishes spending quality time with friends, embracing the joys of social interaction and relaxation.
Ms. Navarrete stands out for her multidisciplinary approach and commitment to exploring the synergy between space law and human rights. Her unique perspective is sure to contribute significantly to the discourse in these fields, as she navigates her promising career path.
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Ashling Sugarman is a Juris Doctor candidate (’27) at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, where she serves as President of the International Law Society and Lead Article Editor on the Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law. She joined the Space Court Foundation as a Legal Intern in May 2025, contributing research and translation to the Foundation’s Big Book of Space Law for China, and contributing to the second volume of the Foundation’s Student Space Law Journal. Ashling’s research interests include space governance, export controls, and orbital traffic management.
Ashling is currently a Legal Extern at Blue Origin . With nearly a 5% acceptance rate, Ashling was selected as a 2026 Matthew Isakowitz Space Scholar. For the 2026 summer, she worked in the Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau as the first Front Office intern, assisting on projects like the Part 100 modernization.
Publications:
- Informed Consent in Space Tourism: Navigating Export Control Laws, 38 THE AIR & SPACE LAWYER NO. 2 (2026)
- EU’s Space Act’s “Right of Way” Rules: Driving the Future of Orbital Traffic, 3 SPACE CT. FOUND. STUDENT SPACE L.J. (2026)
Presentations: Coordinated Lunar Time: A Foundation for Multinational Operations, International Astronautical Congress, Antalya, Türkiye (October 2026); Right of Way Rules: Driving the Future of Orbital Traffic, International Space Development Conference, VA, United States (June 2026)
Honors: Selected as a Rising Star by the National Space Society (2026); received the Space Policy Student Certificate Program at the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (2026).
Paige is a recently admitted Florida attorney and Law & Policy Legal Research Intern with the Space Court Foundation. In her legal practice, she has gained hands-on experience in maritime civil litigation, commercial transactions, and criminal DUI and traffic matters, developing a strong foundation in legal research, drafting, client communication, and case support across civil and regulatory matters.
During law school, Paige earned a Certificate in Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Law and founded and served as President of the Air & Space Law Society. She also held leadership roles in the Intellectual Property & Cyber Law Society and Maritime Law Society, broadening her exposure to transportation, technology, and global commerce issues while strengthening her interest in regulatory frameworks governing emerging industries.
Paige is an active member of the Space Generation Advisory Council and regularly participates in conferences and workshops focused on aviation, aerospace, and technology law. Through her work with the Space Court Foundation, she continues to build her understanding of international space law and policy while contributing research on evolving regulatory and liability issues in the commercial space sector.
Josh’s relationship with space began with a summer internship at the University of Edinburgh, working with Professor Charles Cockell and a
Since graduating, Josh has developed as an experienced paralegal within litigation, working across a range of complex civil disputes as well as transactional and regulatory matters. He directly supports large cases, assistin
With this background, Josh is interested in the commercial growth of the space sector and the role that ADR vehicles, particularly arbitration, will play in resolving disputes between space actors in the future. He is keen to explore how lessons from complex financial and commercial litigation can inform the design of effective dispute resolution frameworks for the scaling space economy.
Josh is now preparing to take his final exams to qualify as a Solicitor in England and Wales.
Baptiste is currently pursuing the Advanced LL.M. in Air and Space Law at the International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden University. He previously completed the European Law School Bachelor at Maastricht University, where he developed a strong foundation in European and comparative law, as well as international law. During his undergraduate studies, he completed two academic minors, one in Business and Law and one in Entrepreneurship, and wrote his bachelor thesis on the regulation of unfair terms in French consumer e-commerce contracts.
His current academic interests are in space governance, sustainability, and the growing role of private actors in outer space activities. He is particularly interested in how international legal rules apply to the increasing commercialisation of space activities and how law can contribute to a responsible and sustainable use of outer space.
Baptiste has completed a legal internship and is engaged in the international legal and space law community as a member of the Space Law and Policy Research Group of the Space Generation Advisory Council, a Student Affiliate of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and a member of the Royal Netherlands Society of International Law.
Through his internship at the Space Court Foundation, he aims to contribute to research initiatives while further developing his expertise in international space law and policy.
Bryan Hales is a current JD candidate at the University of Washington School of Law. Bryan has worked as a website developer, maintaining and constructing the State of Washington’s websites.
Previously, he went to the University of Washington, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees: one in Political Science and the other in Law, Societies, and Justice. Bryan is interested in the regulation of private actors in space and the emergence of new international legal frameworks on the use of space resources.
I am a penultimate-year Bachelor of Arts/Laws student at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. Alongside my studies, I have over five years of experience working as a paralegal at an international law firm, where I have developed a broad background across corporate and commercial legal matters.
My experience includes legal research, large-scale document review, transactional and disputes work, and assisting with complex cross-border matters. As a bilingual English and Mandarin speaker, I have also worked with international clients and developed a strong interest in international law, emerging areas of legal practice, and the evolving legal frameworks surrounding space activities.
He graduated from the English Section of the Faculty of Law at Ain Shams University
in 2024.
During his university years, he participated in moot courts and debating
clubs, and volunteered in many student activities. He recently served as a judge at the Veritas
Debating Club.
He worked for Majed El Rasheed Law Firm in Saudi Arabia, where his work
focused on bankruptcy and liquidation procedures. After that, he worked in
Nojara Studios in the media tech field.
Samar Jain is a BA candidate in Government and Political Science at Sciences Po Paris and the University of British Columbia. He has previously worked supporting self-represented litigants in navigating legal processes and in government policy roles, developing a strong foundation in law and public policy. At the Space Court Foundation, he is driven to engage in rigorous study of existing and emerging legal and policy frameworks, as well as customary norms, that shape the governance of outer space as a global commons, with particular attention to the use of force and private ownership of resources.
Nisha J graduated from the University of York with an LLB (Hons) Law. Originally from Singapore, she is currently working as a Legal Assistant in a UK Law Firm. She has joined the Space Court Foundation as an intern to build a strong foundation which will help advance her academic and career plans in Space Law. Just like SCF, she also sees this as a platform to educate and make others aware about the significance of space law.
Her passion for Space Law comes from two things; her experience in engineering and her love for space science. Before her undergraduate degree, Nisha completed a Diploma in Audio-Visual Technology and worked as a part-time AV Technician in Singapore. Her prior education and career made her aware of how technical operations rely on clear accountability and risk management. This perspective naturally developed into a curiosity about how legal systems address space activities.
Nisha completed the Space Law for New Space Actors eLearningcourse delivered by UNOOSA and a Space Law course by the School of Disruption. Among other things she learnt about, she is interested in the intersection of international space law, national legislation, and space exploration, with a focus on the Outer Space Treaty and the legal governance of space resource extraction.
Her hobbies include stargazing, hunting for the Northern Lights as soon as the KP Index goes up, travelling, reading, and playing soccer.
Nisha sees herself drawing on her diverse background to bring a well-rounded perspective. She is looking forward to working with SCF and contributing to the objectives of its mission, and to becoming a space law academic in the future.
Skylar Prichard is an incoming law student (Fall 2026) with an interdisciplinary background bridging science and governance in the space domain. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Astronomical and Planetary Sciences from Arizona State University and an Associate of Applied Business in Business Management (Programming and Development focus). His interest in space law emerged while studying the long term sustainability of orbital environments and the challenges posed by increasing congestion in orbit.
His research has examined how norms form and evolve in the space domain and how they inform governance and legal accountability. He has also participated in observational and radio astronomy projects that shaped his understanding of how activity in space is detected, tracked, and interpreted. In addition to research, Skylar has worked as a STEM educator, developing programs that make complex scientific concepts accessible to younger audiences.
Skylar is particularly interested in orbital sustainability, coordination and data transparency, and equitable access to space activities for all nations and organizations. He hopes to contribute to legal frameworks that support responsible behavior and long term stewardship of the space environment.
Tomoki is currently completing a Master of Law at KU Leuven, and will subsequently pursue
the Advanced LL.M. in Air and Space Law at Leiden University. His master’s thesis,
“Cluttered Orbits, Incomplete Frameworks: Toward Institutional Compliance Mechanisms for the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines”, reflects his strong and wide-ranging interest in the complex legal challenges currently shaping the space sector. He is engaged in the international space law community as the NPoC for Belgium of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), a Prospective Member of the International
Institute of Space Law (IISL), and a member of the Moon Village Association (MVA). Through his internship at the Space Court Foundation, Tomoki seeks to actively contribute to the
continued development of the legal framework governing outer space activities.