On Law Application and Future Trends in Small Satellites Programs

The vigorous development of small satellites with high functional density significantly enhanced the capacity of exploring outer space by private entities and non-space-faring nations and triggered a demand for revising the rules. National governments should issue space activities license according to the classified and categorized conditions and relax the market access requirements for small satellites programs. Third party liability insurance policy should be set on the balance of the purpose, cost, benefit and risks in small satellites programs. Registration of small satellites should be regulated according to international and national rules. Space debris mitigation should be a condition for licensing small satellites programs so that the States can bear the responsibility in space environment protection. The ITU satellite frequencies and orbits coordination procedures should be simplified to adapt to the special orbital characteristics, operating life and service type of small satellites.