Outer space is no longer a distant or abstract environment. It is increasingly embedded in the social, political, and economic fabric of society. Without satellite support, we could not use everyday services such as communication, navigation, financial infrastructure, and national security. Clearly, space is domain that is of growing strategic importance.
At the same time, this development raises complex questions relating to crime and policing. Cyberattacks on space assets, disputes over lunar and asteroid resource extraction, and challenges related to how we behave in isolated environments are becoming real concerns. In fact, what to do when an astronaut harms another astronaut on the Moon? How does that happen? How to deal with that? These and other questions reveal the limitations of current legal systems and international regulatory frameworks in addressing these security risks beyond Earth.
The VU-UT Masterclass Space Crime & Policing offers a first and comprehensive higher education introduction to these issues, with a particular focus on space crime phenomena, policing opportunities and the governance of it all. Bringing together perspectives from, among others, criminology, policing studies, law, psychology, governance, and technology, the programme explores interdisciplinarily how crime and policing challenges could emerge in outer space. It also sheds light on how justice and policing institutions, regulation, and enforcement practices can evolve to respond effectively and justly.
Practical information Space Crime and Policing
- Startdate: March 2027
- Duration: 1 month
- Format: 1 month of colleges, fysical and online.
- Investment: €4.500,-
- Blended learning: at Vrije Universiteit, University Twente and online
Upon completion of the programme, you will:
- Understand the key security and crime-related challenges within the space domain.
- Gain insight into international regulation, governance frameworks, and oversight mechanisms.
- Be able to apply criminological and security theories to space-related challenges.
- Understand how organisations can prepare for future risks and incidents in outer space.
- Develop the ability to formulate strategic recommendations for policy, governance, and risk management.
- Build a multidisciplinary network of professionals and experts working across related fields.
