Jonathan Kaley-Isley is a space lawyer and cybersecurity expert based in The Hague, Netherlands. He holds a BA from the University of Florida, a JD from the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Chicago Kent School of Law, and an Advanced LLM in Aviation and Space Law from the University of Leiden. His PhD research is on the use of satellite information as evidence in international courts.
Jonathan has spent his career at the intersection of law and emerging technologies, directing global information governance, cybersecurity, and privacy programs at Visa, Barclays, Blackrock, and Vanguard. He taught computer science and security at the graduate level at the University of Denver, He is the former Director of the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, and the former CIO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Jonathan directs the operations of the global organization, including the production of the Space Court Law Library, the work of our interns, officers, and rapporteurs, and the SCF academic journal.
His research currently focuses upon EU constitutional and institutional law in the context of the space industry, and especially defence and security issues surrounding the regulation of dual-use space items to the extent relevant to Europe.
At SCF he acts as the lead coordinator and editor of the ‘Big Book of National Space Law’ (BBSL) Project, and contributes to various other SCF initiatives.
Owing to his knowledge of European space law and its place within the wider EU constitutional and defence system, his expertise has been sought – through presentations and interviews – by the German Ministry of Defence, the European Security and Defence College, the European Military Research Institute, Max Planck Institute Luxembourg, and others.
In addition to the above, Mr. Bennett has a keen interest in negotiation theory and practice, having entered and won several national competitions in the subject. He uses the skills gained during these experiences to maintain open, direct, and honest communication during his work.
He feels most at home in mountains, and is an avid animal lover – especially in the case of dogs.
Yana Yakushina is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator. Currently, Yana is working on her Ph.D. at the University of Ghent (Belgium). Yana is actively involved in dark sky protection awareness activities by attending international conferences, podcasts, and workshops and providing consulting services.
Yana has successfully participated in international legal research projects in the field of dark sky protection and space law and collaborated with organizations and government bodies worldwide, inter alia, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Ghent University, the EU Commission, International Dark-Sky Association, Starlight Foundation, International Astronomical Union, UNOOSA, etc. In addition, Yana is a member and an advisor of several NGOs, including the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), Starlight Foundation, and the Rule of Law Association. This year Yana has become a board member and one of the co-founders of the Belgian dark sky protection organization – Living Night.
Dr. Marieta Valdivia Lefort is a space policy and regulatory affairs specialist with expertise in science policy, spectrum governance, astronomy protection, international cooperation and space sustainability. She holds an MSc in Public Policy from the UCL Department of Political Science and a PhD in History and Politics from the UCL Institute of the Americas.
At the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), where she serves as Policy & Diversity Officer, Marieta works across national and international science and space policy, with a particular focus on Dark and Quiet Skies, satellite constellations, radio-frequency interference, spectrum governance, space sustainability, and lunar exploration. At the European level, she represents the RAS at the Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF), contributing to policy and regulatory work on the protection of radio astronomy and the management of the radio spectrum.
She also serves as Head of Internships, Spectrum Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the Space Court Foundation (SCF), leading the Foundation’s internship programme while contributing to its work on spectrum policy, regulatory affairs, space law, and the evolving governance frameworks for emerging space activities.
In addition, Marieta is an Associate Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). She contributes to the Policy Hub of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS), where she works on policy and regulatory issues related to the impact of satellite constellations on optical and radio astronomy. She also contributes to the IAU Working Group on Astronomy from the Moon.
Marieta is also a Public Policy Specialist on the Core Team of the Earth∞Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI) and a member of the Lunar Ledger Advisory Board, where she contributes expertise in regulation, spectrum policy, information-sharing and international coordination for sustainable lunar activities.
Her wider leadership roles include Co-Chair of the Science Council Policy Forum (UK), Co-Convener of the BISA Astropolitics Working Group, and Chair of the European Astronomical Society Satellite Constellations Working Group.
Lucy Richmond is an LL.M. candidate in International Technology Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from University College Utrecht, where she majored in International Law and Anthropology.
With eight years of experience across the non-profit sector, she brings a deep commitment to purpose-driven work to her role at the Foundation. Her background spans environmental advocacy and grassroots organising, including serving as Co-Lead of the Stop Ecocide International Australia team. At the Space Court Foundation, Lucy serves as a Legal Research and Communications Officer as well as a coordinator of the SCF global internship programme. In these roles, she contributes to the development of the Foundation’s flagship tool, the Space Law Research Guide, while managing communications strategy and providing mentorship within the internship programme.
Her work in space law and policy centres on cislunar spectrum regulation, lunar governance and satellite re-entry impacts. She is particularly drawn to the intersections between international technology law, strategic space governance, and the ethical dimensions of space exploration and commercialisation.
Through both her research and outreach, Lucy seeks to foster a more sustainable and inclusive framework for the next era of global space governance.
She is the current Co-Lead of the Space Law and Policy Project Group of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where she also co-spearheads the “AI and Space Law” Research Group. In addition, she has contributed as a co-author to the recently published report on “Balancing Innovation and Responsibility: International Recommendations for AI Regulation in Space”, elaborated under the auspices of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
Nathan Johnson is an attorney licensed in Washington, DC, and publishes the blog and podcast AstroEsq. He graduated with his Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School, and received an LL.M from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law. He worked at the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation during SpaceX’s first berth with the International Space Station, and for the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Science, Space, and Technology during deliberation on human spaceflight regulation. He has published articles on orbital debris removal, on-orbit liability, and outer space property rights. He is also the Regional Organizer for the Manfred Lachs North America Space Law Moot Court Competition.
Antonio (KangSan Kim) Stark is a consultant and speaker for aerospace policy, technology integration, sustainability and inclusivity, and education.
🌏 Minerva University Alumnus
🏔 FutureTalks Foundation Arctic Expedition Member
UHG Foundation Himalayas Expedition Member
Marine Corps Officer
🛰 SGAC Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator
Moon Village Association East Asia Regional Coordinator
🎖 IAF Emerging Space Leader 2022
Tencent THINC Fellow
Korea Prime Ministerial National Talent Award
SGAC Pioneer Award
The Mars Generation 24 Under 24
#17 Top Men to follow on LinkedIn for Aviation & Aerospace