Space law · Guide

Observing spaceflight: Article X

The Outer Space Treaty makes room for states to request opportunities to observe one another’s spaceflight. Here is what Article X says—and what it leaves to agreement.

An opportunity to observe

Article X requires parties to the treaty to consider requests from other parties on an equal basis. Those requests concern opportunities to observe the flight of space objects launched by the requested state. The states involved agree on the nature and conditions of that observation.

Sharing what happens in space

Article XI adds a commitment to share information about space activities with the United Nations, the public, and the scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable.

What you can explore here

LaunchDetect brings published launch records, satellite observations, and labeled model estimates into a common map. You can inspect the evidence for a launch and see the context around it. A model estimate remains an estimate, and the map does not determine anyone’s legal rights or responsibility.