Chris Johnson
- Name
- C.D. Johnson LLM
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0001-5580-2930
Christopher D. Johnson is a lecturer at the International Institute of Space Law. His PhD research focuses on the International legal order for the Moon.
Before joining the International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL) in 2026, Christopher Johnson served as the Space Law Advisor at the Secure World Foundation, and a Professor of Law (Adjunct) at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he co-taught the Space Law Seminar.
Mr. Johnson is a Field Editor at the Journal of Space Safety Engineering (JSSE), on the Board of Editors of the journal Air and Space Law, on the Academic Review Board of the Cambridge International Law Journal, and serves on the US Board of Directors of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). He was also a Core Expert and Rule Drafter in the MILAMOS project, and an observer at the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group. He is a Faculty Member at International Space University (ISU) and a Member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor's of Art degree from Michigan State University, a Juris Doctor from New York Law School, and an Advanced Masters in Law in Air and Space Law from IIASL. He has professional certificates from New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL), the Hague Academy of International Law, and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL). He is currently a PhD candidate at IIASL, writing a monograph on the international legal order for the Moon.
Mr. Johnson has written widely on space law and policy issues, and has represented the Secure World Foundation at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
- Johnson C.D. (2025), Security, policy, and legal challenges of planetary defense. In: , Oxford research encyclopedia of planetary science. Oxford Research Encyclopedias. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Johnson C.D. (2020), The law of outer space: a self-contained regime?. In: Achilleas P. & Hobe S. (Eds.), Fifty years of space law = Cinquante ans de droit de l’espace. Centre for Studies and Research in International Law and International Relations no. 21. Leiden/Boston: Brill-Nijhoff. 127-160.
- Melograna C. & Johnson C.D. (2023), Commercial Space Activities in the US: an overview of the current policy and regulatory framework. In: Smith L.J., Baumann I. & Wintermuth S.-G. (Eds.), Routledge handbook of commercial space law. London: Routledge. 42-63.
- Rotola G., Artigas Moreno C., Blagojevich T., Dalal R., Dong A., Falle A., Hook C., Johnson C.D., Kaley-Isley J., Kioko M., Khan R., Martin A.-S., Martin C., Moro Aguilar R., Nichols T., Ostapenko O., Simon-Butler A., Thiele S., Valdivia Lefort M., Williams A., Yakushina Y. & Boley A. (2026), Astronomy and satellite constellations: an international lens, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 20(Symposium S385 - Astronomy and Satellite Constellations: Pathways Forward): 164-170.
- Kaley-Isley J., Blagojevich T. & Johnson C.D. (2026), General principles of international environmental and space law applicable to the protection of dark and quiet skies, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 20(Symposium S385 - Astronomy and Satellite Constellations: Pathways Forward): 180-186.
- Martinez P. & Johnson C.D. (2025), Is space a Global Common?: How declining international acceptance of the commons narrative applied to space limits its utility in the development of global space governance, Frontiers in Space Technologies 6: 1723792.
- Masson-Zwaan T.L. & Johnson C.D. (2024), Echostar-7: the US imposes first-ever fine for failure to comply with deorbiting plan, Air and Space Law 49(2): 243-248.
- Johnson C.D. & Frazier K. 20 November 2024, Chris Johnson on Space Law (or Lack Thereof). Lawfare Daily. Lawfare [podcast].
- Masson-Zwaan T.L. & Johnson C.D. (2023), Special Iisue on space sustainability, safety, and security, Air and Space Law 48(special issue): 1-4.
- Johnson C. (2022), International law governing outer space activities. In: Failat Y.A. & Ferreira-Snyman A. (Eds.), Outer space law: legal policy and practice. London: Globe Law & Business. 13-30.
- Johnson C.D. (2018), The Outer Space Treaty. In: Read P. (Ed.), Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. Oxford Research Encyclopedias. Oxford: Oxford University Press.