Registration Convention

The register is kept by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and includes • Name of launching State • An appropriate designator of the space object or its registration number • Date and territory or location of launch • Basic orbital parameters (Nodal period, Inclination, Apogee and Perigee) • General function of the space object Information on registered objects is available at the UNOOSA site == List of states parties ==

There are currently 72 states parties to the convention. Signatories that are not parties There are three states which have signed, but not ratified, the convention. Organizations accepting the rights and obligations Several intergovernmental organizations, which cannot be party to the convention, have nonetheless notified the Secretary-General of the United Nations that they have accepted the rights and obligations of the convention. ==Proposals==

A General Assembly resolution from December 2007 that was accepted by consensus recommended that the data should be extended to include: • Coordinated Universal Time as the time reference for the date of launch; • Kilometres, minutes and degrees as the standard units for basic orbital parameters; • Any useful information relating to the function of the space object in addition to the general function requested by the Registration Convention • The geostationary orbit location, if appropriate • Any change of status in operations (e.g., when a space object is no longer functional) • The approximate date of decay or re-entry • The date and physical conditions of moving a space object to a disposal orbit • Web links to official information on space objects ==Background==

For many years, concern has existed surrounding the growing number of dead or inactive satellites in space. These litter the part of space near geostationary orbit and pose a major threat, as any collision would produce serious damage or loss of satellites. As of 2021, there are nearly 12,000 objects registered in the UNOOSA Online Index of Objects Launched into Outer Space. ==Notes==