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Some countries, including the [[United States]] and [[Germany]] have national legislation refering to outer space activities. In these cases, one may refer to the legislation as ''national space law''. National laws concerning outer space will usually build upon the International Law of Outer Space, but may also be in direct conflict with it.
Some countries, including the [[United States]] and [[Germany]] have national legislation refering to outer space activities. In these cases, one may refer to the legislation as ''national space law''. National laws concerning outer space will usually build upon the International Law of Outer Space, but may also be in direct conflict with it.
==Outer Space as a Legal Jurisdiction==
According to existing international law (largely treaties approved by the United Nations), the space outside of the Earth's atmosphere is ''Res Communis'', meaning that it belongs to all of humanity and that every nation must have equal access to it. In accordance with this legal regime, no country, organization or individual can claim private ownership to any part of outer space. However, countries or organization that send man-made objects into outer space still retain ownership and jurisdiction over these objects and over any personnel on board.
==History and Development of Space Law==
International Space Law dates back to the commencement of human activities in outer space. Its development has largely followed the expansion of these activities and changed as more states have become space-faring nations.