Our solar system is home to heavenly bodies such as planets, stars, and the sun that give light to the whole solar system. However, space is also home to space pollution, which came from hundreds and thousands of man-made objects roaming around our planet. Because of this debris, space junk fall laws were enacted to protect those and anything that can be a victim of falling debris from space.

Earlier in May, a piece of space junk from a Chinese rocket fell uncontrolled back to Earth. Fortunately, the said space junk landed on the Indian Ocean near the Maldives. In the previous year, also in May, another Chinese rocket fell out of control on the West African coast. This incident only proves that a space junk may uncontrollably fall from space.

But what if a space junk uncontrollably fell onto your house or your backyard? What should you do? That is where the space junk fall laws will do their job.

What to Do When Space Junk Falls on Your House?

If ever there would be space junk that fell on your house, you don't have to do anything. The Conversation noted that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and 1972 Liability Convention will move into action, and make the government act on the incident.

1967 Outer Space Treaty

The outer space treaty has a very long name. The said treaty is also called, Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

This law allows the exploration and use of outer space for the benefit and interest of all countries. However, this law also underscores that states shall be responsible for the damage caused by the space objects.

1972 Liability Convention

Also called Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, this agreement served its purpose since September 1972. This law emphasized that the state who launched a space object shall be responsible or liable to pay the compensation for any damage it has caused on the surface of the Earth, as well as the damage it has caused in space.

The 1972 Liability Convention also provided the procedures for the settlement of claims for the damages.

Basically, the space junk fall laws will make the government of the country claim compensation through diplomatic channels and then pay you in case of debris from space pollution, or space junks fall onto your house.

Is Space Pollution a Growing Problem?

In 2019, National Geographic reported that at least 23,000 known man-made fragments larger than about four inches were present around our planet. The Conversation underscored that the mainstream view on the effects of pollution on Earth is the same. The only difference is that there is no clear, direct victim that will be affected by space pollution.

Although the chances of a person being killed by a falling satellite or debris are close to zero, The Conversation emphasized that removing large objects that can collide on the Earth's orbit is a great start in addressing space pollution. Laws that will define legal consequences for creating space junks may also mitigate the worries of having space junk falling to your house.

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