The Outer Space Treaty, developed in 1967 by the US and the Soviet Union, aims to ensure peaceful use of space and prohibits claiming celestial bodies as national territory. It forms the basis of space law and bans the use of weapons of mass destruction in space. Astronauts cannot claim land for their home nations, and activities that could cause contamination or damage to objects in space are banned. Many nations have signed and ratified the treaty, using it as a framework for space-related law and programs.
The Outer Space Treaty is an international treaty designed to address concerns about the potential uses and abuses of space. It was developed in 1967 with cooperation between the United States and the then Soviet Union, two nations heavily involved in the so-called space race. Signatories to the treaty agree to use space for peaceful purposes, to refrain from claiming celestial bodies as national territory, and to assume responsibility for space activities that originate within their borders, including both governmental and private space programs.
Formally known as 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 is closely modeled on the treaty developed to discuss the use of the Antarctica. Antarctica is set aside as a global peaceful resource for scientific research and experimentation, and people are not allowed to use or develop weapons of mass destruction on Antarctic territory, or to make exclusive claims to the use of this territory.
This treaty forms the basis of space law. Members of the Outer Space Treaty have agreed not to launch or use weapons of mass destruction in space, although there are no bans on conventional weapons. They must also use space liability, accepting liability for damage caused by associated research and equipment to national governments or private companies. Signatories are required to inspect and approve proposed space operations originating from within their borders, and if a signatory has concerns about a proposal, a consultation may be requested to assess the situation and develop recommendations to address any problems discovered.
Astronauts are accepted as envoys of humanity under the Outer Space Treaty and, as representatives of all humanity, cannot claim land for their home nations or others. The treaty also bans activities in space that could cause contamination or irreparable damage to objects found in space. All of these guidelines are intended to reserve outer space for peaceful purposes, recognizing the critical research done in space, as well as the cultural value of outer space and space programs.
Numerous nations have signed and ratified the Outer Space Treaty, recognizing the goals set out in the document and agreeing to abide by it. As a basis and framework for space law, it is used in the United Nations and by a number of member nations in developing space-related law, as well as space programmes.
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