III‐2a

Abstract

Small satellites took an important role in democratizing space, enabling nontraditional actors to join the space club. This chapter focuses on the international space law and the UN space treaties. It discusses national space law in general, mentioning third party insurance obligations as a specific example that shows the practicalities in applying these laws to small satellites. When focusing on satellite operations in general and nanosatellite operations particularly, the most relevant treaties are the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention. The chapter outlines some key provisions of these treaties such as freedom of exploration and use of outer space and possible restrictions, state responsibility, international liability, and registration of space objects. It provides examples for the implementation of the international obligations on the national level—in the relation between the state and the satellite operators, focusing on European nanosatellite missions.

Authors 1

1. Neta Palkovitz corresponding Aachen International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL)

   Leiden University · Innovative Solution In Space (Netherlands)

   Affiliation as printed

   ISIS—Innovative Solutions In Space B.V., Delft, The Netherlands

   International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands