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Suppose a relatively minor space faring government or a private company had permission to dock with the International space station. But then, due to their incompetence they caused a major problem. For example, suppose their vehicle malfunctioned while docked, thrusting the ISS into a spin and burning out the ISS reaction wheels. Now the ISS is permanently spinning too fast for anyone to dock and repair the damage.

In a case like this, who picks up the tab? What if those responsible cannot or will not pay? Are there international laws regarding liability and use of the ISS? Is a scenario along these lines a possibility?

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  • $\begingroup$ If the ISS is permanently spinning too fast for anyone to dock, what about the astronauts inhabiting the ISS and their docked Soyuz capsules needed for return to Earth? $\endgroup$
    – Uwe
    Feb 24, 2019 at 10:47
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    $\begingroup$ Some good answers by @spacelawyer $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Feb 24, 2019 at 10:52

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