From Pécs to the forefront of space law with a Fulbright Scholarship: Dr Zsófia Biró’s research in the United States and international achievements

Dr Zsófia Biró, a researcher at the Department of Technology Law and Energy Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Pécs, is conducting research in the United States as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Mississippi Center for Air and Space Law. The current phase of her scholarship has already produced outstanding professional results, even though the programme is only just past its halfway point.

During her research programme, she participated in the ‘Beyond Earth Symposium’ in Washington, D.C., one of the key international forums for space policy and space law discourse. At the event, policymakers, legal experts, industry stakeholders and strategic specialists jointly examined the legal, regulatory and institutional conditions required for humanity’s long-term presence in outer space.
 

One of the most significant milestones of Dr Biró’s professional work is that several of her academic publications have been accepted into the Library of Congress, the world’s largest library. Among the works in its collection are a monograph based on her doctoral research and a co-authored study with Zsolt Hetesi examining the technological and legal aspects of energy supply in space exploration, with a particular focus on the use of various energy sources and the international regulatory framework governing nuclear energy. In addition, another volume on space law and space policy has also been added to the collection.

Beyond academic publishing, Dr Biró’s professional engagement also extends into the international discourse: she appeared as a guest on the IGRC2027 podcast, where she discussed the intersections of the space economy and the energy sector, as well as the economic and regulatory challenges of energy sources used in outer space.

In Washington, D.C., she also attended the North American round of the IISL Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, where she observed the University of Mississippi’s student team in action. This prestigious international competition is one of the most important student competitions in space law and plays a key role in training future space lawyers.

A particularly memorable professional experience for her was attending the Artemis II mission launch at the Kennedy Space Center in person. The event marks a key step in a new era of crewed deep space exploration and is a crucial milestone in preparing for human presence on the Moon and, later, Mars.
 

As part of her Fulbright scholarship, she delivered a lecture at her host institution, the University of Mississippi School of Law, on 15 April 2026, analysing the development opportunities of Hungarian national space law, drawing on the American regulatory model and institutional structure as examples of best practice.

Her research aims to develop a scientifically grounded proposal for the creation of Hungarian national space law and to contribute to shaping the institutional and regulatory framework of a future national space agency.

In the remaining period of the programme, further professional events, publications and international collaborations are expected. Further updates on her research results will be provided in due course.