Space Regulations Explorer

The foundational treaty of international space law. Establishes that outer space is free for exploration by all nations, prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies, and bans weapons of mass destruction in space.

Requires signatories to provide all possible assistance to astronauts in distress and promptly return them and any space objects to the launching state.

Establishes absolute liability for damage caused on Earth by space objects and fault-based liability for damage in outer space. Defines claims procedures between states.

Requires launching states to maintain a national registry and provide orbital data to the UN Secretary-General for inclusion in a central UN register.

Declares the Moon and its natural resources as the common heritage of mankind. Few major spacefaring nations have ratified this treaty, limiting its practical impact.

Controls the export and import of defense-related articles and services listed on the United States Munitions List (USML). Space launch vehicles, satellites, and related technical data fall under strict ITAR controls.

Controls the export of commercial and dual-use items that could contribute to weapons proliferation or adversely affect U.S. national security. Covers many space-related components and technologies.

Governs licensing and operation of satellite earth stations and space stations in the United States. Includes orbital debris mitigation requirements, spectrum coordination, and technical operating standards.

Streamlined, performance-based licensing framework for commercial launch and re-entry vehicles. Replaced legacy Parts 415, 417, 431, and 435 with a single unified part.

Governs the licensing and commercialization of NASA-developed technologies. Establishes frameworks for patent licensing, software usage agreements, and cooperative research partnerships.

Modernized licensing framework for private remote sensing satellite systems. Streamlined the process by removing tiered licensing and reducing compliance burdens on commercial operators.

Grants U.S. citizens the right to own, transport, use, and sell space resources obtained from asteroids and other celestial bodies. Extends the FAA launch liability learning period for commercial spaceflight participants.

Establishes the EU Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Consolidates governance of Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, and SSA/GOVSATCOM under one regulatory framework.

Establishes the free, full, and open data policy for the Copernicus Earth observation programme. Sentinel satellite data is available at no cost to all users worldwide for any purpose.

Establishes security governance for the Galileo satellite navigation system, including the Public Regulated Service (PRS) restricted to government-authorized users. Defines threat assessment, encryption management, and access control procedures.

Draft framework for EU-level space traffic management rules, including mandatory collision avoidance, space debris mitigation standards, and a coordinated EU space surveillance and tracking (SST) capability.

Establishes the regulatory framework for spaceflight activities carried out from the United Kingdom. Covers launch, orbital operations, and spaceport licensing, with the CAA as the regulator.

Comprehensive national space law requiring authorization for all space operations conducted by French entities or from French territory. CNES provides technical oversight and compliance verification.

First European national law to provide a legal framework for the ownership of space resources extracted by private companies. Positions Luxembourg as a hub for space mining ventures.

Comprehensive space law establishing a licensing and regulatory framework for space activities conducted from or by entities in the UAE. Supports the UAE National Space Strategy 2030.

Establishes a licensing framework for launch and satellite operations by Japanese private entities. Includes third-party liability provisions with government indemnification beyond the operator cap.

Modernized Australian space legislation covering launch, return, and high-power rocket operations. Includes simplified pathways for small launch vehicles and suborbital missions.

Non-binding best-practice guidelines for debris mitigation adopted by the major space agencies. Covers design, operations, and disposal practices to limit the growth of orbital debris.

Set of 21 voluntary guidelines adopted by the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities for all nations.

Bilateral accords establishing principles for cooperative civil space exploration consistent with the Outer Space Treaty. Over 40 nations have signed as of 2025, supporting sustainable lunar exploration.

International treaty governing the global use of the radio-frequency spectrum and geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Mandatory for all ITU member states.

Proposed civilian-led space traffic management framework to replace DoD as the primary provider of space situational awareness data to commercial operators. Would create a civil open-architecture data repository.

International standard defining requirements for the design and operation of space systems to mitigate the creation of orbital debris. Referenced by many national regulators in their licensing conditions.

Draft international framework based on The Hague Building Blocks for developing an international regime for space resource activities. Aims to balance national legislation like the U.S. CSLCA and Luxembourg law with international consensus.

European technical standard defining sustainability requirements for space missions, including design-for-demise, active debris removal compatibility, and environmental impact quantification.

Proposed spectrum and licensing rules for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing activities. Addresses communications for robotic servicing vehicles, on-orbit assembly, and space-based manufacturing.