Registration of Space Objects

Abstract

Abstract The registration of space objects is an important trust-building measure. The idea of registering spacecraft was inspired by the long-standing praxis of registration of ships and aircraft. The primary objective of the present international registration of space objects is their identification. In international and national space law, the registration of a space object is a significant fact which has important legal consequences. It creates a chain of attribution between the launching State, the space object, international responsibility for space activities and jurisdiction and control by the registering State. At the national level, the registration of a space object in the national registry is usually a public law act regulated by domestic legislation. The international and national registration of space objects are accompanied by several other regimes of registration such as those of radio stations on board space objects, effectuated by the International Telecommunication Union.