GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS AND TREATIES PERTAINING TO THE PEACEFUL USES TO OUTER SPACE
|| THE FIVE TREATIES || THE PRINCIPLES ||
Since 1966, the UN has drawn up and approved five treaties and five sets of legal principles on matters relating to the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space for the betterment of mankind. The international legal principles in the five treaties have established the exploration and use of outer space as the province of all humankind, ensuring freedom of exploration not subject to national appropriation. They have banned the placement of nuclear weapons in outer space, provided liability for damage caused by space objects, as well as for the safety and rescue of spacecraft and astronauts. They have endorsed the prevention of harmful interference in space activities, the avoidance of harmful contamination of celestial bodies and the adverse changes in the Earth's environment. They also encompass the notification and registration of objects launched into outer space as well as the regulation of scientific investigation and exploitation of natural resources found on the Moon and other celestial bodies.
Each of these treaties lays great stress on the notion that the province of outer space, the activities carried out there and whatever benefits might accrue from them, should be devoted to enhancing the well-being of all countries and the human race. In general, each includes elements based on the principle of promoting international cooperation in all outer space activities. The five declarations and sets of legal principles adopted by the General Assembly provide for the application of international law and enhancement of international understanding. They also endorse the dissemination and exchange of information through the direct use of satellite television and the sharing of data obtained from satellite observations of Earth's resources. They provide general standards regulating the safe use of nuclear power sources necessary for the exploration and use of outer space.
The 1966 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") provides that space exploration shall be carried out for the benefit of all countries, irrespective of their degree of development. It also seeks to maintain outer space as the province of all mankind, free for exploration and use by all States and not subject to national appropriation. Entered into force 10 October 1967, 95 ratifications and 27 signatures (as of 1 February 1999).
The 1967 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space ("The Rescue Agreement") provides for aiding the crews of spacecraft in the event of accident or emergency landing. It also establishes a procedure for returning to a launching authority a space object found beyond the territorial limits of that authority. Entered into force 3 December 1968, 85 ratifications and 26 signatures (as of 1 February 1999)
The 1971 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects ("The Liability Convention") provides that launching States are liable for damage caused by their space objects on the Earth's surface or to aircraft in flight and/or to space objects of another State or to persons or property on board those objects. Entered into force 1 September 1972, 80 ratifications and 26 signatures (as of 1 February 1999)
The 1974 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space ("The Registration Convention") provides that launching States shall maintain registries of space objects and furnish specified information on each space object launched for inclusion in a central United Nations register. Entered into force 15 September 1976, 40 ratifications and 4 signatures (as of 1 February 1999).
The 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies ("The Moon Agreement") elaborates, in more specific terms, the principles relating to the Moon and other celestial bodies set out in the 1966 Treaty. It also sets up the basis for the future regulation of the exploration and exploitation of natural resources found on such bodies. Entered into force 18 December 1979, 9 ratifications and 5 signatures (as of 1 February 1999).
The Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space- precursor to the Outer Space Treaty- was adopted by the Assembly in 1963 (resolution 1962 (XVIII)). It set forth the basic components of international space law, including that exploration be carried out for the benefit of all countries.
The Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting, adopted in 1982 (resolution 37/92), consider that such use has international political, economic, social and cultural implications. They stipulate that a State intending to establish such a broadcasting service should notify receiving States and establish such a service only on the basis of agreements with those States.
The Principle Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Space, adopted in 1986 (resolution 41/65), states that such activities are to be conducted for the benefit of all countries, with respect for the sovereignty of all States and people over their own natural resources, and for the rights and interests of other States.
The Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, adopted in 1992 (resolution 47/68), recognizes that nuclear power sources are essential for some missions, but that such systems should be designed so as to minimize public exposure to radiation in the case of an accident.
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, adopted in 1996 (resolution 51/122), recognizes the importance of international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for the benefit and interest of all states, in particular the needs of developing countries.
