5 United Nations treaties on Outer Space Law

The term “space law” refers to the body of international and national laws and customs that govern human activities in outer space. For the last half century, most outer space operations have been conducted by government agencies. Now, however, we stand at the precipice of a new era in spaceflight. With the retirement of the Space Shuttle, private companies are preparing to assume many of the missions traditionally undertaken by governments and to open outer space to the general public.

With these changes, space law will face many new challenges. This article will provide an introduction to space law and some of the issues that the space law community will need to address in the next decade and beyond.

TREATIES

The treaties commonly referred to as the “five United Nations treaties on outer space” are:

• The “Outer Space Treaty”
  • Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies
  • 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 “Rescue Agreement”
  • Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space
  • 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 “Liability Convention”
  • Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
  • 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 “Registration Convention”
  • Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
  • 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 “Moon Agreement”
  • Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies
  • Adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/68, opened for signature on 18 December 1979, entered into force on 11 July 1984.

These five treaties deal with issues such as the 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 stresses the notion that outer space, the activities carried out in outer space and whatever benefits might be accrued from outer space should be devoted to enhancing the well-being of all countries and humankind, with an emphasis on promoting international cooperation.

Author:

Charvi Arora, Research Assistant (2017-18)  at Legal Desire Media and Publication. She is also a 3rd Year student of College of Legal Studies, UPES, Dehradun.