A launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage
caused by its space object on the surface of the earth or to aircraft flight.
Article III
In the event of damage being caused elsewhere than on the surface of the earth
to a space object of one launching State or to persons or property on board such
a space object by a space object of another launching State, the latter shall be
liable only if the damage is due to its fault or the fault of persons for whom it is
responsible.
Article IV
1. In the event of damage being caused elsewhere than on the surface of the
earth to a space object of one launching State or to persons or property on
board such a space object by a space object of another launching State, and of
damage thereby being caused to a third State or to its natural or juridical
persons, the first two States shall be jointly and severally liable to the third State,
to the extent indicated by the following:
(a) If the damage has been caused to the third State on the surface of the earth
or to aircraft in flight, their liability to the third State shall be absolute;
(b) If the damage has been caused to a space object of the third State or to
persons or property on board that space object elsewhere than on the surface of
the earth, their liability to the third State shall be based on the fault of either of
the first two States or on the fault of persons for whom either is responsible.
2. In all cases of joint and several liability referred to in paragraph 1 of this
article, the burden of compensation for the damage shall be apportioned
between the first two States in accordance with the extent to which they were at
fault; if the extent of the fault of each of these States cannot be established, the
burden of compensation shall be apportioned equally between them. Such
apportionment shall be without prejudice to the right of the third State to seek
the entire compensation due under this Convention from any or all of the
launching States which are jointly and severally liable.
Article V
1. Whenever two or more States jointly launch a space object, they shall be
jointly and severally liable for any damage caused.
2. A launching State which has paid compensation for damage shall have the
right to present a claim for indemnification to other participants in the joint
launching. The participants in a joint launching may conclude agreements
regarding the apportioning among themselves of the financial obligation in
respect of which they are jointly and severally liable. Such agreements shall be
without prejudice to the right of a State sustaining damage to seek the entire