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Womble Bond Dickinson Partner David Vance Lucas was a speaker at the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Geo in Space Workshop. Lucas was nominated to, and recently joined, OGC’s Geo in Space Working Group, which will be defining geospatial standards for space applications and exploration.
Lucas’ presentation addressed “Foundation of International Principles and Treaties on Space.” In this discussion, Lucas discussed existing U.S. laws and international treaties governing space exploration. He also addressed possible future laws and regulations, and how the OGC can work in concert with such frameworks to develop space based navigation and geospatial standards.
As we move into the commercialization of space and consider federated constellations of satellites, and integration of space based communications, there is a need for open standards and architectures to assure interoperability and resilience. While governments have been working with industry to create said standards and architectures, gaps remain, especially in certain areas. International participation and cooperation, such as that being advanced by the OGC, will further the completion of needed new standards. In this workshop, the OGC, supported by various individual member organizations, brought space and geospatial stakeholders together to understand the current status, gaps and disparities, and interoperability requirements.
The OGC Geo in Space Workshop took place July 25-26 in Alexandria, Va. Womble and Lucas appreciated the opportunity to participate in the shaping of standards that will further space exploration and the advancements derived from it.
For over three decades, David Vance Lucas has applied his legal, technological, and operational experience to craft strategic advice on intellectual property, international trade, and complex litigation matters – throughout the U.S., U.K., and Europe. He accumulated much of this experience while serving as general counsel for a global technology company and a clinical laboratory software company. Lucas utilizes this experience and legal acumen to advise C-suites and boards of directors (public and private) on legal, compliance, and operational issues. He also provides thought leadership in various technology and regulatory fields, including through his role as a board member and current Executive Director of GEOHuntsville.
Click here to read more about his role in helping organize the OGC’s 126th Member Meeting in Huntsville, Ala.
