German Federal Foreign Office By German Federal Foreign Office
The first comprehensive agreement to regulate the use of space under international law was the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which lays down principles governing countries’ activities in outer space.
Development and status of space law
The first uses of outer space, beginning with the satellite launches by the Soviet Union and the United States in 1957/1958, prompted a swift response from the international community as regards developing space law. In order to make way for a coordinated and peaceful use of outer space, fundamental questions needed to be addressed, ranging from its legal status and access to forms of utilization (no nuclear arms race in outer space). To this end, the United Nations General Assembly established a standing committee in 1959, which it tasked with drawing up a system of international laws for outer space.
Outer Space Treaty
The first international agreement was the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which has been ratified by 112 states to date, including Germany, and remains in force. It lays down principles governing countries’ activities in outer space. According to these principles, outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claims of sovereignty (Article II). The Treaty provides for extensive freedom of scientific research and commercial use in outer space. However, this freedom is not limitless, but is instead to be pursued for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, since the exploration and use of outer space is the “province of all mankind” (common benefit clause, Article I). A further restriction on these freedoms is the peaceful use of outer space (Article IV). This applies without exception or qualification to the moon and other celestial bodies (i.e. no bases, weapons or military maneuvers), but only partially to the rest of outer space (no nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction)…
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