[meteorite-list] Washington SpaceX fall event: debris recovered

[Marco Langbroek]

Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:

> I have a question about ownership and legality of these manmade
> artifacts that fall from space and are found on private property.
> 
> What is the law regarding objects that originate from private entities?



Of relevance here is the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which the USA is a
signatory. It states, in Article VIII, that:

"Ownership of objects launched into outer space, including objects landed or
constructed on a celestial body, and of their component parts, is not affected
by their presence in outer space or on a celestial body or by their return to
the Earth. Such objects or component parts found beyond the limits of the State
Party to the Treaty on whose registry they are carried shall be returned to that
State Party, which shall, upon request, furnish identifying data prior to their
return”."

SpaceX is registered in the USA, so the USA is the "State Party" here. SpaceX is
the owner. IANAL, but as I read this, if SpaceX wants it back, it has to be
returned to them.

- Marco


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Dr Marco Langbroek

e-mail: marco at langbroek.org
http://www.langbroek.org
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