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Launching country responsible for space mishaps

Most of Mir is expected to burn up on entry

From CNN's Miles O'Brien

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The U.N. Outer Space Treaty, signed by both the United States and Russia, specifies that the launching country is legally responsible for any damage as a result of anything it launches -- no matter who owns the spacecraft.

So if a commercial U.S. firm launches a British satellite which accidentally clonks somebody on the head, the United States is responsible.

DOCUMENT • Read the U.N. Outer Space Treaty (FindLaw)  INTERACTIVE Flash: Anatomy of a de-orbit (NOTE: plug-in required, download here)  GALLERY File pictures of Mir taken by astronauts aboard space shuttles

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Nine out of 10 of Mir's components were launched by Soviet/Russian rockets. But one was launched within the shuttle's cargo bay.

A docking module flew to Mir inside the shuttle Atlantis's cargo bay in a 1995 mission.

So if somebody did get hurt or killed by debris from Mir and could prove that the piece of debris came from the U.S. launched docking module, the U.S. government would have to take responsibility.

That piece is burnt orange.

CNN.com In-Depth Specials - Mir falls to Earth

Sci-Tech - Space - Mir's return brings back Skylab memories
March 22, 2001
A Mir risk
March 21, 2001
Deadline set for Mir's demise
March 20, 2001
Mir: 8-miles from burn-up
March 18, 2001
Mir death sentence delayed
March 14, 2001
Mir demise causes international high anxiety
March 6, 2001

Mir Space Station
International space station Alpha
NASA's Skywatch

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