Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies
https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.htmlTheOuter Space Treaty, formally theTreaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is amultilateraltreatythat forms the basis of internationalspace law. Negotiated and drafted under the auspices of theUnited Nations, it was opened for signature in theUnited States, theUnited Kingdom, and theSoviet Unionon 27 January 1967, entering into force on 10 October 1967. As of March2024, 115 countries are parties to the treatyincluding all majorspacefaring nationsand another 22 are signatories.[1][5][6]
The Outer Space Treaty was spurred by the development ofintercontinental ballistic missiles(ICBMs) in the 1950s, which could reach targets throughouter space.[7]The Soviet Unions launch ofSputnik, the first artificial satellite, in October 1957, followed by a subsequentarms racewith the United States, hastened proposals to prohibit the use of outer space for military purposes. On 17 October 1963, theU.N. General Assemblyunanimously adopted a resolution prohibiting the introduction ofweapons of mass destructionin outer space. Various proposals for an arms control treaty governing outer space were debated during a General Assembly session in December 1966, culminating in the drafting and adoption of the Outer Space Treaty the following January.[7]
