In an era where space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of national agencies like NASA, but increasingly driven by private powerhouses such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab, the laws that govern the cosmos have never been more important—or more contested. As the race to colonize the moon, mine asteroids, and build commercial space stations accelerates, questions of ownership, sustainability, and international accountability are rising to the forefront of global discourse.
For Ren, now a first-year student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), these questions became the foundation of a high school research project that would ultimately shape his academic identity and future ambitions. While many high school students fascinated by space gravitate toward astrophysics, robotics, or aerospace engineering, Ren took a different path—one that was no less intellectually demanding and arguably more timely: the study of space legislation and policy.
Driven by a blend of scientific curiosity and civic awareness, Ren’s research journey led him to explore how national laws and international treaties define what can and cannot be done beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of spaceflight, he turned his attention to the rules and responsibilities that govern the use of outer space—questions like: Who owns the moon? Can companies profit from space mining? What happens if satellites collide?
This wasn’t just a classroom project. It was a rigorous investigation into the evolving frameworks of global space governance, and one that demanded the kind of cross-disciplinary thinking often reserved for college students and policy researchers. Ren analyzed international treaties, compared national space laws, and evaluated the implications of privatized space activity on sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation.
What started as an independent research topic soon became a launching point—intellectually, academically, and strategically. Ren’s ability to link legal analysis with scientific context helped him stand out in competitive college admissions. But more than that, it gave him a head start at MIT, where his nuanced understanding of space policy positioned him as a valuable voice in group discussions, research teams, and even conversations with professors.
In this spotlight, we explore how Ren’s unconventional high school research gave him an edge—not just in college applications, but in his transition to one of the most demanding academic environments in the world. His story offers compelling insights for students interested in law, science, or public policy—and demonstrates how pursuing meaningful research early on can lead to real-world impact and a clearer sense of purpose.
Charting a New Orbit: Why Space Law Matters for Students
For many high school students fascinated by space, the most obvious paths forward are physics, astronomy, or aerospace engineering. These are the fields where students build telescopes, program satellites, or simulate rocket trajectories. Ren, too, began his academic journey with this traditional fascination—dreaming of rockets and star charts. But a pivotal moment came during a classroom discussion on the future of aerospace, where the conversation shifted from hardware to headlines: asteroid mining, commercial launches, and global space race tensions.
“I started wondering,” Ren reflects, “who actually makes the rules about what happens in space? What laws are there to prevent countries—or companies—from exploiting space in ways that could be harmful or unfair?”
This line of questioning sparked a shift in Ren’s perspective. Instead of focusing on the engineering that gets us into orbit, he became intrigued by the legal and political frameworks that shape what happens once we’re there. It was an unconventional path—especially for a high schooler—but it led him into a rapidly growing, globally relevant field: space law.
As countries and companies ramp up their efforts to develop space tourism, commercial satellite networks, and extraterrestrial mining operations, the legal system is struggling to keep pace. Ren saw that regulation, not just rockets, could shape the next chapter of space exploration—and that few high school students were thinking about this frontier. His interest in the governance of space quickly evolved into a formal research project, and what began as curiosity became a unique academic strength.
Building a Research Foundation: From Treaties to Tech Regulation
Ren’s journey into space policy research started with the foundational documents of international cooperation. Chief among them was the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, a Cold War-era agreement that declared space the “province of all mankind” and prohibited the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit. While revolutionary in its time, the treaty left many gray areas—particularly when it comes to private actors, resource ownership, and orbital congestion.
To understand how space law was adapting in the 21st century, Ren examined the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015, a landmark piece of national legislation that permitted U.S.-based companies to mine resources from celestial bodies and retain legal ownership. “This law was fascinating,” Ren says, “because it completely redefined how we think about property rights in space. It challenged the idea that outer space is a public domain.”
Ren recognized that this shift had global implications. What happens when one country grants rights that other nations don’t recognize? What does this mean for future conflicts or collaborations? These questions led him to compare U.S. policy with the regulatory approaches of Luxembourg, which has built a reputation as a hub for space investment, and Japan, where the government has begun to engage with commercial space law through a cautious but forward-thinking lens.
His research didn’t stop at high-level comparisons. He explored contemporary challenges such as satellite megaconstellations and orbital debris, which are creating both environmental risks and legal uncertainty. Who is responsible when satellites collide? What happens when derelict spacecraft endanger international missions?
Ren dove into legal commentaries, government policy papers, and peer-reviewed journals to map the evolving terrain of space governance. His project wasn’t simply a literature review—it was a forward-looking inquiry into how law and policy must evolve to balance innovation with equity, sustainability, and global security.
From High School to MIT: Research as a Bridge to Impact
Ren’s deep dive into space law wasn’t just a bold academic move—it became a launchpad for real opportunities. When he applied to colleges, this unconventional research helped him stand out in a sea of applicants with similar GPAs and test scores. But it was at MIT where the real impact began.
During his first semester, Ren joined a space policy working group that was exploring frameworks for space traffic management—a topic he had already examined in detail. In discussions about how outdated regulations were failing to keep up with the pace of commercial launches, Ren was able to reference specific provisions of the 2015 Act, cite legal scholarship, and offer international comparisons.
“Most people hadn’t really looked into the specifics,” he says. “But I could connect the dots between what’s happening now and what was written into law ten years ago.”
This ability to bring legal and policy knowledge into a technical environment—surrounded by engineers and scientists—set Ren apart. Professors took notice, and classmates began asking him for insights. The confidence he had built during high school research translated into early contributions in the college classroom, giving him an academic foothold that many students only find after years of coursework.
Ren’s experience underscores a crucial point: rigorous high school research, especially in interdisciplinary fields like law and science, can serve as much more than a college essay topic. It can equip students with tools to contribute meaningfully to advanced academic conversations and even influence real-world research from the start of college.
Why Space Law Is a Crucial Field for the Future
As humanity pushes further into the cosmos—with satellites blanketing Earth's orbit, nations establishing moon bases, and private companies planning Mars missions—the need for updated and enforceable legal frameworks has never been more urgent. Ren believes that space policy and space law are not peripheral concerns; they are central to the success, safety, and equity of future exploration.
“Every launch increases the complexity of the orbital environment,” he explains. “And if policy doesn’t keep up with technology, we’re going to face real-world consequences—satellite collisions, legal disputes over asteroid resources, or even military escalations in orbit.”
Indeed, concerns about space debris, territorial claims, and the militarization of low Earth orbit are no longer theoretical. They demand the attention of legal scholars, engineers, ethicists, and diplomats alike. For Ren, this interdisciplinary complexity is exactly what makes the field of space law so compelling—and so essential.
He is especially interested in the challenge of maintaining international cooperation in the face of rising national rivalries and the rapid commercialization of space. Questions of governance, accountability, and ethical innovation are at the heart of what he hopes to study more deeply through MIT’s cross-disciplinary programs, particularly in political science, aerospace engineering, and science, technology, and society (STS). His goal is to help craft policies that not only enable innovation but also promote peaceful, sustainable use of space.
Advice for Future Researchers: Think Broadly, Act Boldly
Ren’s path provides a valuable blueprint for high school students who want to pursue research beyond traditional science competitions or textbook experiments. His advice? Don’t be afraid to explore the intersections between disciplines, especially those that are underrepresented in high school curricula.
“Not every impactful project involves building a robot or writing code,” he says. “Some of the most meaningful work happens when you ask, ‘How are these technologies being used, and who’s making the rules?’ Understanding the laws, ethics, and systems behind science gives you a whole new perspective on the world—and your potential role in shaping it.”
This broader mindset is particularly important for students looking to stand out in college applications or competitive summer programs. Admissions officers increasingly value students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and a drive to solve real-world problems. Research projects rooted in policy, ethics, or global issues can be just as powerful—if not more so—than purely technical work.
Ren also underscores the importance of structured mentorship in shaping his success. As he worked through complex legal documents and academic research, he benefitted from guidance that helped him ask sharper questions, refine his arguments, and stay focused on real-world implications.
For students seeking that same support, programs like Nova Research and Nova Patent can be transformative. These mentorship-based initiatives pair middle and high school students with scholars from top-tier universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Princeton, guiding them through advanced research or innovation projects. Whether you're exploring international law, sustainable development, or emerging technologies, having an experienced mentor can accelerate your growth and broaden your academic possibilities.
Looking Ahead: From MIT to the Final Frontier
Ren’s ambitions are firmly grounded in the work he started in high school—but now, at MIT, he’s ready to scale that vision to the next level. He’s planning to double major in political science and aerospace engineering, combining his passion for governance with a deep understanding of the technologies shaping the space frontier.
He’s also pursuing opportunities with the MIT Media Lab, where interdisciplinary innovation thrives, and considering cross-registration at Harvard Law School, where he hopes to further explore the ethical and legal dimensions of emerging technologies—not just in space, but across domains like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology.
“In high school, I realized that policy and technology aren’t separate—they shape each other,” Ren says. “And if we want a future where innovation serves everyone, we need people who can speak both languages.”
For Ren, the ultimate goal isn’t just to study space law—it’s to help write it, ensuring that the next era of exploration is defined not by chaos or conflict, but by collaboration, responsibility, and foresight.
Final Thoughts: When Research Becomes a Launchpad
Ren’s journey is a powerful reminder that high school research can be much more than a résumé booster—it can become a personal and academic launchpad. His project didn’t just demonstrate academic skill; it helped him discover a lifelong interest, shape a college trajectory, and step confidently into a community of scholars and problem-solvers at one of the world’s top universities.
In today’s hyper-competitive college admissions landscape, where selective schools are looking for students who bring more than strong test scores, projects like Ren’s stand out. But beyond admissions, these experiences provide something even more valuable: a deeper sense of purpose, intellectual identity, and the confidence to contribute meaningfully in college and beyond.
Whether your passion lies in space exploration, climate change, global health, or digital ethics, the takeaway is the same: ask big questions, think across disciplines, and pursue work that connects your curiosity to the world’s most pressing challenges.
As Ren’s experience shows, one well-executed high school research project can lead to opportunities that stretch far beyond the classroom—and sometimes, beyond the Earth itself.
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