Space

Full-Spectrum Legal Solutions for the Space Industry

BakerHostetler delivers end-to-end legal counsel to clients operating at the forefront of aerospace, satellite and space exploration technologies. Our multidisciplinary team combines deep industry knowledge with regulatory, transactional and litigation experience to support the full life cycle of aerospace and space ventures – from research and development and launch to commercialization and compliance.

We advise aerospace manufacturers, satellite operators, defense contractors and emerging space companies on a wide array of legal challenges, including:

Regulatory Compliance: Guidance on U.S. and international regulations governing export controls (ITAR, EAR), sanctions, satellite communications, remote sensing and interplanetary exploration. We assist with licensing and permitting through agencies such as the FCC, FAA, NOAA and NASA.
Government Contracting: Strategic support for procurement, bid protests and compliance with the Buy America Act, Trade Agreements Act and other federal acquisition regulations.
National Security and CFIUS: Representation in matters involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), facility and personnel security clearances and defense-related technology controls.
Environmental Regulation: Advising on environmental compliance issues affecting space operations, including launch site permitting, environmental impact assessments and compliance with U.S. and international environmental laws applicable to space activities.
International Arbitration: Representation in international arbitration proceedings arising from cross‑border aerospace and space transactions, joint ventures and government‑related projects.
Corporate and Finance: Structuring joint ventures, financing transactions and M&A due diligence for aerospace and space companies, including cross-border investments and strategic partnerships.
Litigation and Investigations: Defense in civil and criminal enforcement actions, internal investigations and white collar matters, including FCPA and anti-corruption compliance.
Intellectual Property: Protection and commercialization of aerospace innovations, including patents, trade secrets and licensing agreements.
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Advising on cybersecurity frameworks, incident response and compliance with evolving data protection laws affecting space-based technologies.

Our attorneys maintain strong working relationships with key U.S. government agencies andbring a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to every engagement. Whether you’re launching a satellite constellation, navigating export controls or securing venture capital, BakerHostetler is your trusted legal partner in the space economy.

Represented a prime contractor on the U.S. space shuttle program in obtaining a summary judgment finding that the terminated supplier did not own trade secrets in separation bolts and other hardware used on the shuttle’s solid rocket booster. Obtained a jury verdict after a 10-week jury trial determining that the supplier was properly terminated for cause.
Represented the space shuttle’s prime contractor in the resolution of a construction dispute related to renovation of the Vehicle Assembly Building doors at Cape Canaveral.
Representing the entity responsible for managing a U.S. government‑funded national laboratory and a major international space-based research platform.
Represented, through trial and appeal, owners and crew in a case arising out of the salvage of the external fuel cell for NASA’s space shuttle, which resulted in the largest salvage award in U.S. history.
Defended the U.S. at both the trial and appellate levels against a massive $3 billion patent infringement claim involving more than 100 satellites (including GPS satellites) and thousands of government contracts. The case was the largest patent infringement action in Court of Federal Claims history, resulting in more than 20 published Court of Federal Claims, Federal Circuit and Supreme Court decisions.
Defended the U.S. at both the trial and appellate levels against a massive $3 billion patent infringement claim involving more than 100 satellites (including GPS satellites) and thousands of government contracts. The case was the largest patent infringement action in Court of Federal Claims history, resulting in more than 20 published Court of Federal Claims, Federal Circuit and Supreme Court decisions.
Represented the controlling shareholder of a Chapter 13 debtor that was engaged in the development and operation of a low Earth orbit satellite constellation system for the delivery of high-speed internet connectivity, in the successful defense of claims by the company’s official committee of unsecured creditors, which sought to derail the company’s plan of reorganization and subsequent going-concern sale, including by contesting the plan’s treatment of more than $1 billion in secured debt instruments held by the controlling shareholder, which the committee sought to recharacterize as “disguised equity” and challenge under principles of equitable subordination.
Obtained numerous U.S. government approvals related to the launch of U.S. satellites by foreign launch service providers, including the first-ever waiver of U.S. policy against the utilization of Indian launch vehicles, and guided clients through Department of Defense monitoring of foreign launch campaigns.
Successfully moved to dismiss all seven counterclaims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment brought against a satellite intelligence company in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, in a dispute concerning geospatial intelligence services. The court also dismissed seven affirmative defenses.
Defended patent claims and pursued third-party contribution/indemnity in federal court involving developing technology in the field of digital satellite transmission.