An outer space treaty designed to govern the activities of
states in an exploration of outer space, moon and other celestial bodies
celebrate its 30th anniversary in 1997.The day this treaty has been adopted, brought a remarkable revolution between science and technology as it also came under the ambit of Law.
Charter of Space Law
The Outer space Treaty 1967 is regarded as the roots of
International space law conventions, and even if we term it as Magna Carta of
International space law, it will remain undeniable. This treaty renders a bunch
of fundamental principles which establish the basal branches for exploration of
outer space. Following the path of 1963’s declaration of legal principle, the
First international convention comes up with various customary international
laws for governing the activities of states in the exploration & use of
outer space. These are the summary of basic principles and rules as follows:-
- Exploration and use of outer space, including the moon
and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the
interests of all countries. -
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial
bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all States - Outer space, including the moon and other celestial
bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by
means of use or occupation, or by any other means. - Carry on activities in the exploration and use
of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance
with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the
interest of maintaining international peace and security - Ban on nuclear weapons or any
other kind of
weapons of mass destruction from
placing in orbits
of the
earth. - All States Parties to the Treaty are bound to
explore exclusively for peaceful purposes. -
The astronauts of one State Party shall render
all possible assistance to the astronauts of other. - States Parties to the Treaty shall bear
international responsibility for national activities in outer space -
Each State Party to the Treaty that launches is
internationally liable for damage to another State Party to the Treaty. - Promotes international co-operation in the exploration
and use of outer space. - All stations, installations, equipment and space
vehicles on the moon and other celestial bodies shall be open to
representatives of other States Parties to the Treaty on a basis of
reciprocity. - The
State parties are bound to inform UN
Secretary-General about space
activities and shall
disseminate such information
to the
public and the
international scientific community
This treaty came into force in October 1967. Thus, state
parties to the treaty are bound to carry out their activities according to the
principles provided under this treaty, looking over the name, it is a treaty of
principles, capable of broad interpretations, and we can take it as a base for
the construction of future legal instruments. Any instruments of the legal
field are derived from the ideas and the principles of outer space treaty 1967,
which needs to be polished and amplified into more peculiar provisions,
includes procedure, enactments, debates,
for resolving the disputes which might arise in future exploration.