ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that, in terms of typology, some contracts are national, others are international; some contracts are commercial contracts, others are institutional contracts. It studies contracts related to satellite: satellite purchase contracts, satellite launch contracts and transponder agreements. Financial institutions and investors, as well as insurers, are also very important in space sector and in space contracts. Satellite purchase contracts are concluded by the manufacturers of satellites and their customers. In French law, to help choose between these two characterisations, of sales contract and contract for the provision of services, at first economic criterion or accessorium sequitur principale can be applied. Launch risk characterisation is strengthened by the notion of public private partnerships (PPP), in which the manufacturer supplies a service, and not equipment, and becomes an operator. International Launch Services (ILS) is a joint venture constituted by Lockheed Martin and the manufacturers of the Russian rocket Proton, which intends to commercialise the American launch vehicles, Titan and Atlas.
