United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

International Space Law

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is the Secretariat for the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which is the primary international forum for the development of laws and principles governing outer space. In addition to providing parliamentary services, the Office prepares legal studies and background documents on various aspects of space law to assist member States in their deliberations. In accordance with the Action Plan endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/122, the Office provides information and advice, upon request, to governments, non-governmental organizations and the general public on space law in order to promote understanding, acceptance and implementation of the international space law agreements concluded under United Nations auspices.

Whats New:

- Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space
  - A/AC.105/1012: Notification by the United States of America of a Safety Assessment for nuclear-powered Mars probe/lander "Mars Science Laboratory"
- Travaux Préparatoires
  Travaux Préparatoires for the Outer Space Treaty, Rescue Agreement, Liability Convention and the 1963 Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space
- Legal Subcommittee: 2011
  - A/AC.105/C.2/L.280: Provisional agenda and indicative schedule of work for the fiftieth session
  - A/AC.105/C.2/2011/CRP.1: Information for Participants
- United Nations/Thailand/European Space Agency Workshop on Space Law "Activities of States in Outer Space in Light of New Developments: Meeting International Responsibilities and Establishing National Legal and Policy Frameworks", 16 to 19 November 2010, Bangkok, Thailand
  - Programme (as of 2 November 2010) (MSWord Format, English only)
  - Information Note and Application Form
- United Nations Treaties and Principles on Outer Space: Text of treaties and principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space and related resolutions adopted by the General Assembly
  - ST/SPACE/51 (available in all official languages of the United Nations in PDF format)
- Education Opportunities in Space Law (updated for 2010)
  - A Directory
- National Space Law Database
  - Japan's Basic Plan for Space Policy (2009)
  - Germany's Satellite Data Security Act (2007)
- United Nations Treaties and Principles on Outer Space: Text of treaties and principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space and related resolutions adopted by the General Assembly
  - ST/SPACE/11/Rev.2 (available in all official languages of the United Nations in PDF format)

Resources available on the United Nations space law web-site:

Full text of the United Nations treaties and principles on space law, including General Assembly resolutions adopting the treaties and principles

Full text of General Assembly resolutions relating to the peaceful uses of outer space

Full text of the annual reports of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS in English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish

Unedited Transcripts of the Legal Subcommittee

United Nations Workshops on Space Law

Full text of selected examples of national laws governing space activities

Full text of selected examples of bilateral and multilateral agreements governing space activities

A list of international agreements and other available legal documents relevant to space law (2001) (English only, in PDF format).

Questionnaire on possible Legal Issues with regard to Aerospace Objects: Replies from member States

Full text of legal studies and background documents on space law prepared by the Office for Outer Space Affairs

Space Law: Frequently Asked Questions

Space Law: WWW Links

Please contact us for further information

For further information on space law and related services and activities of our Office, please contact:

Office for Outer Space Affairs
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 500
A-1400 Wien, AUSTRIA
Tel: (+43 1) 26060-4950
Fax: (+43 1) 26060-5830
E-mail: oosa@unvienna.org