Disputes in Space: Collisions in space - who is responsible to whom?

In this episode of Disputes in Space, A&O Shearman partner Arthur Sauzay is joined by Romain Lucken, CEO of Aldoria, a company that provides space object tracking and orbital safety solutions, and Michael Bowsher KC of Monckton Chambers to examine the disputes risks arising from an increasingly congested orbital environment and the unique challenges involved in resolving them.

Earth’s orbit is more crowded than ever. Operational satellites and other technology, outdated hardware, and debris all contribute to the numbers. Collisions can destroy critical infrastructure, generate thousands of new fragments, and create cascading hazards for those operating in and using space. Add to that the uncertainty of re entry—not all objects burn up— and it’s clear that we face a rapidly escalating risk environment.  

The episode covers:

• Why fault based liability in orbit is so difficult to apply in practice
• How ground station operations and evidence gaps complicate attribution
• The limitations of existing state to state dispute mechanisms
• The critical role of space situational awareness data in proving (or disproving) fault
• How operators, insurers and counsel can prepare for the disputes that will inevitably follow from a congested orbital environment

If you’re advising on space operations, insurance, regulatory strategy, or risk, this episode will give you a clear sense of where disputes are likely to emerge and what tools we may need to resolve them.

Disputes in Space is a podcast series from A&O Shearman’s Future Disputes group, exploring the disputes risks emerging from the rapid commercialization of space. Featuring A&O Shearman lawyers and external experts, the series examines collisions, spectrum interference, and space mining—and the legal, regulatory, and evidentiary challenges shaping the future space economy.