Transfer of Ownership and Lease of Space Objects in Orbit in the Light of International Space Law

In recent years and in new trends in space industry, transfer of ownership and lease of space objects in orbit, especially satellites, have increased. However, none of the documents in international space law have any reference to the prohibition of the transfer of ownership and the lease of space objects in orbit. Therefore, this article, by accepting the freedom of the transfer of ownership and the lease of space objects in orbit in accordance with the international space law documents such as Outer Space Treaty (1967), Liability Convention (1972), Registration Convention (1975), UN General Assembly Resolutions 59/115 & 62/101, tries to analyze the legal status of Launching State(s) and Transferee State(s) in these processes in terms of international responsibility, international liability and registration of space objects.