Outer Space Treaty
The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, the foundational international space law.
The Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the cornerstone of international space law, establishing fundamental principles for space activities that all subsequent regulations build upon.
Core Principles
- Space exploration for benefit of all countries
- No national appropriation of celestial bodies
- Freedom of exploration and use
- No weapons of mass destruction in space
- International responsibility for national activities
- State liability for damage
- Astronaut assistance and return
State Responsibility (Article VI) States bear international responsibility for national space activities, whether by governmental or non-governmental entities. This requires:
- Authorization of private activities
- Continuing supervision
- Compliance with international law
Article VII: Liability Launching states are internationally liable for damage caused by their space objects, forming the basis for the Liability Convention.
Registration (Article VIII) States retain jurisdiction and control over registered space objects, implemented through the Registration Convention.
EU Implementation The EU Space Act ensures member state compliance with OST obligations through the authorization and supervision framework.