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Wikipedia / Registration Convention

The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (commonly known as the Registration Convention or Registration Agreement) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1974 and went into force in 1976. As of January 2026, it has been ratified by 78 states.

The convention requires states to furnish the United Nations with details about the orbit of each space object. A registry of launchings was already being maintained by the United Nations as a result of a General Assembly Resolution in 1962.

The Registration Convention and four other space law treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, and the Moon Agreement are administered by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The European Space Agency, European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization, and the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications have submitted declarations of acceptance of rights and obligations according to the convention.

Current status

The register is kept by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and includes

Information on registered objects is available at the UNOOSA site

List of states parties

There are currently 72 states parties to the convention.

Signatories that are not parties

There are three states which have signed, but not ratified, the convention.

Organizations accepting the rights and obligations

Several intergovernmental organizations, which cannot be party to the convention, have nonetheless notified the Secretary-General of the United Nations that they have accepted the rights and obligations of the convention.

Proposals

A General Assembly resolution from December 2007 that was accepted by consensus recommended that the data should be extended to include:

  • Coordinated Universal Time as the time reference for the date of launch;

  • Kilometres, minutes and degrees as the standard units for basic orbital parameters;

  • Any useful information relating to the function of the space object in addition to the general function requested by the Registration Convention

  • The geostationary orbit location, if appropriate

  • Any change of status in operations (e.g., when a space object is no longer functional)

  • The approximate date of decay or re-entry

  • The date and physical conditions of moving a space object to a disposal orbit

  • Web links to official information on space objects

Background

For many years, concern has existed surrounding the growing number of dead or inactive satellites in space. These litter the part of space near geostationary orbit and pose a major threat, as any collision would produce serious damage or loss of satellites. As of 2021, there are nearly 12,000 objects registered in the UNOOSA Online Index of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

Notes

References