Today we caught up with Ren, a current first year at MIT. Ren has always been interested in space exploration, and through his research he was able to explore the area through the lens of U.S. space legislation. We asked a few questions to understand how Ren’s high school research on recent space laws shaped his college experience, providing a foundation to tackle complex policy and legal issues in the realm of space exploration.
Hi Ren! What inspired you to research U.S. space legislation in high school?
I’ve always been fascinated by space, but instead of just focusing on the scientific aspects, I became curious about how space exploration is governed legally. With the rise of private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, I started to wonder how laws keep up with the rapid advancements in space technology. The idea of space law as an evolving field caught my interest, especially as I saw it playing a crucial role in the future of space exploration and commercial ventures. That’s when I decided to dig into recent U.S. legislation around space exploration for my research project.
Can you tell us a bit about your high school research project on space legislation? What did it involve?
Absolutely! My project was a deep dive into recent U.S. legislation and how it addresses the growing complexities of space exploration. I began by exploring foundational treaties, like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to understand the international principles that the U.S. built upon. Then, I focused on more recent national laws, particularly the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015. This legislation was groundbreaking because it granted private companies the rights to resources they extract from asteroids, something previously left in a legal gray area.
My research involved a comprehensive literature review of scholarly articles, government reports, and legal analyses to understand how this law and others like it have impacted the U.S. space industry. I examined the legal implications of space mining and satellite regulations and how the U.S. is positioning itself in global space governance. Additionally, I compared these laws with other countries' space policies, highlighting areas of conflict and cooperation.
How has that research prepared you for your studies at MIT?
It’s been incredibly valuable! The skills I developed—like legal analysis, critical thinking, and understanding how policy influences technological development—gave me a solid foundation for my studies at MIT. In my first semester, I joined a space policy research group. Because of my background in analyzing legislation, I was able to contribute meaningfully to discussions about how current U.S. laws might shape future space technologies. For example, when we were debating the ethical implications of space mining, I could reference specific provisions in the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, something not many of my peers were familiar with.
Could you share a specific moment when your high school research experience really helped you at MIT?
Certainly! During one of my seminars, we were assigned to discuss the future of space commercialization. The professor introduced recent proposals for new legislation concerning space traffic management, which is a huge issue due to the growing number of satellites. Many students were unfamiliar with the current legal framework, but I was already well-versed in the topic. I brought up how the 2015 Act addressed private spaceflight rights but left a gap in traffic regulation. I then connected this to recent discussions in Congress about updating space traffic management laws.
The professor asked me to elaborate, and I ended up leading a segment of the discussion on how outdated regulations could hinder future technological advancements in space. That was when I realized how my high school research had uniquely prepared me to tackle complex policy issues and contribute to higher-level academic conversations.
What advice would you give to high school students considering a research project in law or policy?
I would definitely say go for it! Researching law or policy in high school allows you to explore important aspects of how society is shaped. It’s a fantastic way to develop your analytical skills while gaining insight into how legal frameworks intersect with various fields, like technology, healthcare, or environmental science. Understanding these frameworks not only informs your perspective but also prepares you to contribute meaningfully to future discussions in your area of interest. If you’re passionate about both research and the law, this field is full of fascinating challenges and opportunities—and its importance will only continue to grow!
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