Who is allowed to launch satellites – and who is liable for the debris?
Page 4: Conclusion: Law is lagging behind technology
Commercial spaceflight is developing faster than the law can keep up. While SpaceX burns satellites daily and NASA plans the complex deorbiting of the ISS, international space law is still based on treaties from the Cold War era. Germany took over a decade to even agree on key points for a national law.
The basic principles are clear: states bear responsibility – not only for launch but also for disposal. Private actors require permits, and the launching state is ultimately liable for damages. With tightened US disposal regulations and planned EU regulations, a turnaround is emerging. Whether this will be enough remains to be seen – at the latest with the controlled crash of the ISS, the world will see how serious the spacefaring nations are about responsible use of space.
(vza)
