The outer space treaty, formally the treaty on principles governing the activities of states. The united nations office for outer space affairs unoosa is a component of the united nations secretariat tasked with promoting the peaceful use and exploration of space through international cooperation. Dembling national aeronautics and space administration. Ford, the air force role in developing international outer space law pdf, air force history and. The progressive development and codification of international law constitutes one of the principal responsibilities of the united nations in the legal field. This publication presents the five outer space treaties so far adopted by the united nations along with these treaties. Outer space treaty, 1967, international treaty binding the parties to use outer space only for peaceful purposes. Indeed, they say, the bill introduces a new interpretation of the outer space treaty that arguably disputes the way the treaty has been understood and applied so far. Jul 16, 2018 one theme considered at aspis recent annual building australias strategy for space conference was the growing importance of space law as space becomes more contested, congested and competitive.
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all states without discrimination of any kind, on a 1 united nations, official records of the general assembly, eighteenth session, supplement no. States parties to the treaty shall pursue studies of outer space, including the moon and other. The treaty was opened for signature in the united states, the united kingdom, and the soviet union on 27 january 1967, and entered into force on 10. Relevance and limitations of outer space treaty in 21st century 48 ranjana kaul 5. United nations treaties and principles on outer space unoosa. These important issues need immediate attention, and should be resolved by incorporating amendments in the existing treaties, as without these clarifications no space treaty will effectively regulate outer space. Outer space treaty of 1967 treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, an international treaty approved on dec. The outer space treaty must either be amended or a new treaty must be. Eisenhower proposes that antarctic treaty principles be applied to outer space and celestial bodies. Language such as this has been interpreted several ways, but it is generally accepted that it confirms the freedom of use of space because every state has an. Outer space treaty, formally treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, 1967, international treaty binding the parties to use outer space only for peaceful purposes. The outer space treaty was handled through the united nations therefore enforcement is supposed to go through there too. The outer space treaty and the weaponization of space. Erazem bohinc united nations association of slovenia.
The application of general international law in outer space. Legal principles governing the exploration and use of outer space in. Is the outer space treaty ready for new cosmic challenges. For the benefit of all mankind 20 joan johson freese 3. The following year, copuos met for the first time to discuss a peaceful and legally ordered approach to space exploration, and became a permanent body within the. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies.
Member states of the united nations not yet parties to the international treaties governing the uses of. An important area for the exercise of such responsibilities is the new environment of outer space and, through the efforts of the united nations committee on the peaceful uses of outer space and its legal subcommittee, a number of. Copuous was established in 1958 and made permanent in 1959. The outer space treaty the national academies press. Originally signed by just the united states, the united kingdom and the soviet union, now more than 100 countries have signed up. Space exploration is to be guided by principles of cooperation and mutual assistance, such as obliging astronauts to provide aid to one another if needed. Like other treaties, the outer space treaty allows for amendments or member withdrawal. Government of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. The basis of space law remains the 1967 outer space treaty ost, but a lot has happened since it was signed. As of mid2016, it has 77 members, including major space faring nations such as the. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the. Early proposals for prohibiting the use of space for military purposes and the. Introduction hen the treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies treaty or space treaty entered into force. States parties to the treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by nongovernmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present treaty.
The application of general international law in outer space by cestmir cepelkat and jamie h. With new steps being taken to exploit further the potentials of outer space, and with increasing talk of new space missions and new discoveries, current international space law is being placed. States parties to the treaty shall carry on activities in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with international law, including the charter of the united nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation. The first explorations were intended to specifically 1 lyall f. Deputy director, international institute of air and space law, university of leiden. The united nations committee on the peaceful uses of outer space copuos. Clarke, a central figure in the bis, it stated that any activity in space. In the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, states parties to the treaty shall be guided by the principle of cooperation and mutual assistance and shall conduct all their activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, with due regard to the corresponding interests of all other states parties to the treaty. In late 2000, the united nations general assembly voted on a resolution. United nations office for outer space affairs wikipedia. Oct 27, 2017 the united nations and the outer space treaty. Member states of the united nations not yet parties to the international treaties governing the uses of outer space to ratify or accede to those treaties as soon as feasible. Now, the treaty prohibits nations from claiming ownership to a celestial body.
Outer space, which was adopted unanimously by the united nations. Status of treaties united nations office for outer space. The outer space treaty, as it is known, was the second of the socalled nonarmament treaties. The bold future of the outer space treaty jstor daily. World space week runs to coincide with several big anniversaries related to space.
The treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies outer space treaty entered into force. The outer space treaty has 17 articles highlighting several crucial agreements in order to preserve the liberty of outer space and the celestial bodies within it. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, an international treaty approved on dec. The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.
One theme considered at aspis recent annual building australias strategy for space conference was the growing importance of space law as space becomes more contested, congested and competitive. Outer space treaty of 1967 article about outer space. Outer space treaty and international relations theory. In june 1966 the united states and the soviet union submitted draft treaties on the uses of space to the united nations. The evolution of the outer space treaty unl digital commons. The outer space treaty provides the basic framework on international space law, including the following principles. It was developed in 1967 with cooperation between the united states and the thensoviet union, two nations heavily involved in the socalled space race. Dec 15, 2017 the definition of outer space is on the agenda of the copuos since 1956, but so far, no consensus has been achieved in this regard. Outer space treaty wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Aug 01, 2018 the space policy scholars hao liu and fabio tronchetti warn that the aforementioned free enterprise bill provides that outer space is not a global commons. The united nations has become a focal point for international cooperation in outer space and for the formulation of necessary international rules. Maintaining international peace and security by regulating. Countries exploring space are responsible and liable for any damage their activities may cause. The definition of outer space is on the agenda of the copuos since 1956, but so far, no consensus has been achieved in this regard.
Soviet union submitted draft treaties on the uses of space to the united nations. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies status of the treaty text of the treaty. What would happen if someone violated the outer space treaty. Outer space treaty students britannica kids homework. Outer space treaty of 1967 article about outer space treaty. The outer space treaty, formally the treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law. It is often euphemistically called the grundnorm of space law and a mascot of space governance. Treaty, nuclearweaponfree world, outer space arms race among issues, as. The outer space treaty is an important piece of legislation that deals with land ownership in space, and controls what countries are. The outer space treaty is an international piece of space law first signed in 1967.
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all states without discrimination of any kind, on a basis of. Fact sheet outer space and disarmament efforts in the united nations to maintain outer space as a realm free of conflict and open for the benefit to all states began in 1957, months prior to the launch of the first artificial satellite into earth orbit. Like that treaty it sought to prevent a new form of colonial competition and the possible damage that selfseeking exploitation might cause. The draft treaty on prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space and of the threat or use of force against outer space objects ppwt cd 2008, jointly introduced to the conference on disarmament cd by russia and china in 2008, constituted a welcome step toward the nonweaponization of space. By 1967, the russian federation, the united kingdom uk, and the united. By 1967, the russian federation, the united kingdom uk, and the united states us signed the treaty, and it entered into. Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for. Listner, the ownership and exploitation of outer space. Current space law limitations and its implications on. The outer space treaty has been ratified by 95 states and signed by 27 others.
Yes there is an outer space treaty signed in back 1966 at united nations. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space. This convention, drawn up by the united nations committee on the peaceful uses of outer space, was the fourth treaty exclusively dedicated to outer space. The outer space treaty united nations office for outer. It is a political document of stupendous legal import and forms an overarching oeuvre in the context of space law. The space policy scholars hao liu and fabio tronchetti warn that the aforementioned free enterprise bill provides that outer space is not a global commons. It is hoped that this collection will serve as a valuable reference document for all those interested in the legal aspects of outer space. Another example can be seen in article one of the outer space treaty, which states that outer space is the province of all mankind and that its exploration shall benefit all nations.
A look at foundational law and future legal challenges to current claims, 1 regent j. Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all states without discrimination of any kind, on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies. Space exploration, including the moon and other celestial bodies, must be in the best interest of mankind as a whole, and all countries must be free to explore space for scientific and. The outer space treaty the national space centre the. United nations treaties and principles on outer space. It always begins on 4 october, which is the anniversary of the launch of sputnik 1, the first humanmade satellite. For treaties where the secretarygeneral of the united nations is not the depository, the records in this database rely on information provided to the united nations by the. The outer space treaty was considered by the legal subcommittee in 1966 and agreement was. Fifty years of the institute for defence studies and. The status of international agreements relating to activities in outer space is compiled and distributed every year by the united nations office for outer space affairs. The outer space treaty at a glance arms control association. The paros resolution acknowledges the limitations of existing laws related to outer space and recognizes that the outer space treaty by itself.
Outer space treaty, 1967, international treaty binding the parties to use outer. Soviet union would not restrict outer space to peaceful uses unless u. The outer space treaty, formally the treaty on principles governing the activities of states in. This article is brought to you for free and open access by the law, college of at. Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free. The end of world space week is 10 october, which is the date that the outer space treaty came into effect the outer space treaty is an international piece of space law first signed in 1967. Clarke, a central figure in the bis, it stated that any activity in space must be done for common interest and not for economic gain. The outer space treaty is an international treaty designed to address concerns about the potential uses and abuses of space. The united nations committee on the peaceful uses of outer space. Succession by slovenia to the convention on registration of objects launched. Believing that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried.