Registration Convention
The 1975 UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space: the launching State registers space objects launched into Earth orbit or beyond in a national registry and furnishes specified information to the UN Secretary-General (Art. II, IV).
According to its preamble, mandatory registration assists in the identification of space objects and contributes to the application and development of international space law.
Registration Obligations
- The launching State registers a space object launched into Earth orbit or beyond in a national registry and informs the Secretary-General that the registry exists (Art. II(1))
- Several launching States jointly determine which one registers (Art. II(2))
- The State of registry furnishes the information below to the Secretary-General as soon as practicable (Art. IV(1)) and, to the greatest extent feasible, notifies objects no longer in Earth orbit (Art. IV(3))
Information Required
- Name of launching state(s)
- Appropriate designator or registration number
- Date and territory or location of launch
- Basic orbital parameters (nodal period, inclination, apogee, perigee)
- General function of space object
Purpose
- Identification of space objects (preamble; Art. VI assistance where an object has caused damage or may be hazardous)
- Jurisdiction and control: the State of registry retains jurisdiction and control over the object (Outer Space Treaty, Art. VIII)
UN Register The UN Secretary-General maintains the Register, with full and open access to its information (Art. III).
EU proposal There is no EU register of space objects in force. The EU Space Act proposal (COM(2025) 335, not in force) would have the EU Agency for the Space Programme set up a Union Register of Space Objects (URSO) for authorised Union space operators (including operators of Union Programme components) and for third-country operators and international organisations registered under Art. 17 and 18 (Art. 24(1)).