Swiss Space Act: Who Is Liable If Things Go Wrong?

The preliminary draft of a new Swiss space law establishes clear national liability rules for damage caused by space objects. Its core feature is the operator's direct civil liability, which simplifies legal remedy for injured parties in Switzerland and reduces the federal government's international liability. The draft introduces strict liability (without proof of fault) for damage on Earth and fault-based liability for damage in space. This model aligns with the international Liability Convention and reflects the proven Swiss liability system. The drafters rejected alternatives, such as direct state liability with recourse, to avoid burdening the federal government with uncovered risks. A general insurance obligation is deemed disproportionate; instead, the supervisory authority may require liability insurance for activities with increased risk.