United Nations Treaties and Principles on Space Law
The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is the only international forum for the development of international space law. Since its inception, the Committee has concluded five international legal instruments and five sets of legal principles governing space-related activities.
The five treaties and agreements are:
- The
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (the "Outer Space Treaty"), adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 2222 (XXI), opened for signature on 27 January 1967, entered into force on 10 October 1967;
- The
Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (the "Rescue Agreement"), adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 2345 (XXII), opened for signature on 22 April 1968, entered into force on 3 December 1968;
- The
Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (the "Liability Convention"), adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 2777 (XXVI), opened for signature on 29 March 1972, entered into force on 1 September 1972;
- The
Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (the "Registration Convention"), adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 3235 (XXIX), opened for signature on 14 January 1975, entered into force on 15 September 1976;
- The
Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (the "Moon Agreement"), adopted by the General Assembly in its
resolution 34/68, opened for signature on 18 December 1979, entered into force on 11 July 1984.
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The international legal principles in these five treaties provide for non-appropriation of outer space by any one country, arms control, the freedom of exploration, liability for damage caused by space objects, the safety and rescue of spacecraft and astronauts, the prevention of harmful interference with space activities and the environment, the notification and registration of space activities, scientific investigation and the exploitation of natural resources in outer space and the settlement of disputes. Each of the treaties lays great stress on the notion that the domain of outer space, the activities carried out therein and whatever benefits might accrue therefrom should be devoted to enhancing the well-being of all countries and humankind, and each includes elements elaborating the common idea of promoting international cooperation in outer space activities.
The five sets of legal principles adopted by the United Nations General Assembly provide for the application of international law and promotion of international cooperation and understanding in space activities, the dissemination and exchange of information through transnational direct television broadcasting via satellites and remote satellite observations of Earth and general standards regulating the safe use of nuclear power sources necessary for the exploration and use of outer space.
The five declarations and legal principles are:
- The Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space (General Assembly resolution 1962 (XVIII) of 13 December 1963);
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- The Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting (resolution 37/92 of 10 December 1982);
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- The Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space (resolution 41/65 of 3 December 1986);
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- The Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (resolution 47/68 of 14 December 1992);
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- The Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries (resolution 51/122 of 13 December 1996)
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Click
here to download a list of international agreements and other available legal documents relevant to space law.
A compilation of the
status of International Agreements relating to Activities in Outer Space is also available.