Space law is the body of law that governs all space-related
activities, agreements, rules, and principles. Obviously, it includes space
exploration, but it also covers a wide variety of other fields of law including
international law, administrative law, criminal law, commercial law, insurance
law, environmental law, intellectual property law, and arms control law.
Space law
originated in the early 20th century when international law
recognized each country’s sovereignty over it’s airspace. It kicked into gear during
the space race of the 1950s with the launch of Sputnik and the creation of
NASA. It was at this time that space law became a separate area of the
law. The United Nations Office for Outer
Space Affairs (UNOOSA) was created in 1958. It is responsible for promoting
international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. The 1963
Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Uses of Outer Space dictates that all space exploration is to
be done with good intentions and is open to all States that comply with
international law. It also states that no nation can claim ownership of
celestial bodies. This means that while the American flag is on the moon, we
don’t own it. The 1963 Declaration goes on to state that all objects launched
into space are subject to the nation that owns them, and those nations are responsible for any damages those objects
cause.
Other
treaties, agreements, and resolutions regarding Space include:
- The 1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water;
- The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial bodies (the Outer Space Treaty);
- The 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space;
- The 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects;
- The 1975 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space;
- The 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial bodies (dormant)
- The 1982 Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting;
- The 1986 Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space
- The 1992 Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources In Outer Space
- The 1996 Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries
The works on
display here are a part of our space law collection located in the Library’s
main collection. To learn more, go to:
- United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/index.html
- NASA Headquarters Library legislative research and Space Law page: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/library/find/bibliographies/legislative_research_space_law
- American Society of International Law: https://www.asil.org/community/space-lawInternational Institute of Space Law: https://iislweb.org/
