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More Than a Wing and a Prayer: Government Indemnification of the Commercial Space Launch Industry

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Listed:
  • Brennan, Timothy J.

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Kousky, Carolyn

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Macauley, Molly K.

    (Resources for the Future)

Abstract

Using rockets to launch communications satellites and other spacecraft poses risks to the uninvolved public, including persons and property under the flight path of the launch vehicle. The federal government plays a pivotal technical role during the actual launch by carrying out certain risk-related procedures, thus causing third-party risk to be jointly produced by the company and the government. In addition, under the Commercial Space Launch Act, the government partially indemnifies commercial launch companies for third-party damages. We compare the indemnification policy to optimal liability rules under public-private co-production of risk. Under modest assumptions, shared liability created by the indemnification rules decreases the incentive of both parties to take care relative to the optimum. If care were observable, it would be preferable for the government to fully indemnify companies that take due care. The role of the government as an agent for third parties may qualify these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Brennan, Timothy J. & Kousky, Carolyn & Macauley, Molly K., 2009. "More Than a Wing and a Prayer: Government Indemnification of the Commercial Space Launch Industry," RFF Working Paper Series dp-09-38, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-09-38
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Timothy J. Brennan & James Boyd, 2006. "Political Economy And The Efficiency Of Compensation For Takings," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 24(1), pages 188-202, January.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    government indemnification; liability; insurance; space transportation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy

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