Legal Issues Related to Satellite Orbits

Orbits are unique geophysical features that are best understood as natural resources that are exploitable by humans for a variety of space activities. As with any human activity, the exploitation of these resources results in a variety of legal questions that are driven by their physical features and their uniqueness and scarcity. The law of orbits, or orbital law, is the framework of governance mechanisms that regulate the use of orbits from the perspective of their exploitation as natural resources. This legal framework seeks to govern the allocation of these resources among potential users, the coordination mechanisms among users to avoid conflict, and the protection of orbital resources from detrimental activities.