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In other words, how would a crime committed on board the International Space Station be prosecuted? According to its official site, the International Space Station is "led by the United States," but draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 sovereign nations. So, if an extra-terrestrial homicide was committed inside the Japanese laboratory as opposed to the American habitation module, would the astro-murderer escape the death penalty? As a comprehensive FAQ from the European Center for Space Law informed us, "...each partner state in this visionary international cooperation adventure registers its own part of the station -- and
consequently can apply its own laws to events therein." As they say in real estate, it's all a matter of location, location, location. The article goes on to tackle such dizzying prospects as moon ownership, outer space traffic rules, space garbage, and alien rights. It's clear that space law is a far more robust field of study than you may at first think. For instance, there is an Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University in Montreal. And, believe it or not, there is a United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna. Way back in 1963, the U.N. issued a "Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer
Space," which broadly declares: "The State on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and any personnel thereon, while in outer space." It also goes on to mention that the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on "in accordance with international law."
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