Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

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  • Amendments
  • Year adopted & entered into force: Adopted by UN General Assembly 1967; entered into force 10 October 1967.
  • International body: United Nations General Assembly (administered by UNOOSA / UNCOPUOS).
  • Summary: This is the foundational international space law. It establishes that outer space is free for exploration and use by all countries, prohibits national appropriation or sovereignty claims over space or celestial bodies, requires states to be responsible and liable for their space activities, and mandates that space activities be for peaceful purposes. It also treats astronauts as envoys of mankind and prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in space.
  • Full text: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs – Outer Space Treaty
    https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html