Outer Space Treaty summary

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Outer Space Treaty summary

The Outer Space Treaty was signed in January of 1967 and entered into force in October of that same year. The significant principles behind its thirty-five year success include the prohibition of nuclear weapons in space, and the guarantee of cooperation between states in all peaceful uses of outer space.

However, with the rapid development of laser technology, outer space can easily be militarized without the deployment of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, with the U.S.’s stated plans of “dominating the space dimension of military operations…(and) integrating space forces into war fighting capabilities of full spectrum of conflict,”(1) the Treaty is insufficient against saving outer space from weaponization.

Article I maintains that “the exploration and use of outer space… shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries…”

Article II states that “outer space… is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty…”

Article III reiterates that “exploration and use of outer space” will be carried out “in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations…”

Article IV prohibits the deployment of “nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction… in outer space…” It further prohibits “the establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military maneuvers on celestial bodies…”

Article V renders “astronauts as envoys of mankind” and shall be assisted in any way by all countries;(2)

Article VI upholds nation-states as the bearer of responsibility for all activities in outer space, including those conducted by non-governmental entities; furthermore, all activities require “authorization and continuing supervision” by nation-states;

Article VII holds a State Party “internationally liable” if an object launched into outer space should inflict damage onto the territory of another State Party; (3)

Article VIII maintains that a State Party has control over any object that they launch into space;

Article IX ensures the peaceful uses of outer space exploration; if one State Party believes that the activities of another State Party “would cause potentially harmful interference” with the activities of other States Parties in outer space, “appropriate international consultations” can be called for;

Article X states that all launches may be observed by other States Parties, but that this opportunity “and the conditions under which it could be afforded shall be determined by agreement between the States”;

Article XI calls for States Parties to inform the Secretary-General, the public, and “the international scientific community” of all of its activities in outer space “to the greatest extent possible.” The Secretary-General in turn disseminates this information “immediately and effectively”;

Article XII ensures that all installations and equipment are open to other States Parties “on a basis of reciprocity”;

Article XIII holds all States Parties responsible for resolving disputes under this Treaty;

Click here for a full text of the treaty.

1 U.S. Space Command’s Vision for 2020. http://www.peaceactionme.org/vision.html
2 The 1968 Rescue Agreement (formally titled as the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space)
http://www.islandone.org/Treaties/BH523.html further elucidates the principles contained in Article V of the Outer Space Treaty.
3 In 1972, 87 countries signed the “Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, which further elucidates the compensation and liability clauses contained in Article VII of the Outer Space Treaty. available at: http://www.islandone.org/Treaties/BH595.html