ABSTRACT

Jurisdiction is one of the most fundamental questions in the law of outer space – or for any area of law – since jurisdiction determines the applicable law and the courts that enforce that law. This section provides a brief explanation of the different types of jurisdiction and then explains how this issue affects space objects. Jurisdiction takes three basic forms: (1) prescriptive jurisdiction; (2) enforcement

jurisdiction; and (3) adjudicative jurisdiction.1 Prescriptive jurisdiction is the right of a state to apply its laws in order to regulate persons and activities.2 Enforcement jurisdiction refers to a

the right of a state’s courts to subject persons or things to their adjudicative processes and issue a ruling on a matter.4