International Law And Its Role In Satellite Regulations
- IJLLR Journal
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Avijith A V, Research Scholar, School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai.
Dr. K. Jameela, Assistant Professor, Senior Grade, School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai.
ABSTRACT
Satellites have become indispensable to modern governance, security, communication, navigation, and economic development. Their growing significance, however, has intensified legal and regulatory challenges at the international level, particularly in light of increasing militarisation, commercialisation, and technological sophistication. This article critically examines the role of international law in regulating satellite activities, focusing on the adequacy of existing treaty frameworks and institutional mechanisms. It analyses the foundational principles of space law under the Outer Space Treaty, 1967, and evaluates subsequent legal instruments governing liability, registration, and spectrum management. The article further explores state responsibility for satellite operations, the challenges posed by dual-use and military satellites, and the regulatory implications of private actors and mega-constellations. Through a doctrinal and analytical approach, the study argues that while international law provides a basic normative structure for satellite regulation, it suffers from enforcement deficits, interpretative ambiguities, and institutional fragmentation. The article concludes by proposing the need for normative clarification and strengthened international coordination to ensure the sustainable, secure, and peaceful use of satellite technology.
Keywords: Satellite regulation, international space law, Outer Space Treaty, state responsibility, ITU, dual-use satellites
