International Space Law
The Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention
The legal framework for space activities rests primarily on five UN treaties, the most important of which are:
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Outer Space Treaty (OST), 1967: The foundational "Magna Carta" of space law, ratified by 114 states including India. Article VI holds states internationally responsible for national space activities, including those of private entities. Article VII makes launching states "internationally liable" for damages caused by their space objects. The OST declares outer space a "global commons" — the "province of all mankind" — not subject to national appropriation.
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Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (Liability Convention), 1972: Supplements OST Article VII. Provides that a launching state is absolutely liable for damage caused on Earth's surface or to aircraft (no need to prove fault). Liability in outer space requires proof of fault. India is a party to this convention. The only claim ever pursued under this convention was Canada's against the USSR for the crash of Cosmos 954 (a nuclear-powered satellite) in Canada in 1978.
- OST (1967): 114 ratifying states; India is a signatory; space is "province of all mankind."
- OST Article VII + Liability Convention (1972): Launching state liable for surface damage caused by space debris.
- "Launching state" includes both the state that launches and the state from whose territory the launch takes place — ISRO missions make India the launching state.
- The Liability Convention's only precedent: Canada vs. USSR (Cosmos 954 nuclear satellite crash, 1978); Canada received C$3 million in compensation.
- ISRO's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) programme monitors debris but has limited capacity compared to the US Space Surveillance Network.
● Tracked since March 20, 2026 · last seen May 09, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes