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Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fuelled rocket on March 16, 1926, emphasizing the significance of patent protection in space technology. As commercial space exploration grows, safeguarding innovations through patents becomes crucial.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 establishes that nations maintain jurisdiction over objects they launch, informing U.S. patent law under 35 U.S.C. § 105, which treats infringement on space objects similarly to terrestrial infringement. The ISS Intergovernmental Agreement complicates IP rights, requiring patents in all relevant jurisdictions to ensure protection.

Due to high costs, entities must strategically assess where to secure patents, and existing laws are underexplored. As the commercial space sector expands, effective enforcement mechanisms will become increasingly necessary.