Why are private operators cautious about conducting high-risk missions like active debris removal?
Answer
There is little precedent for how courts would handle collisions between private entities from different nations
Private operators face a confusing web of liability when considering high-risk projects. There is currently no established legal precedent for addressing collisions between private entities across different jurisdictions. Because the system is built on state-level liability, any legal dispute would likely escalate into a diplomatic issue between nations rather than being handled as a standard commercial insurance or tort claim. This makes operators hesitant, as legal consequences remain abstract, untested, and potentially catastrophic for their businesses.
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