The race for space exploration began over five decades ago with two major players who shared a common goal: to be the first to reach the Moon. The United States and the former Soviet Union were leading the space race with no other contenders following in their wake.
But fast-forward to today, and the current sharp escalation of security threats in and from outer space requires a legally binding agreement to preserve its peaceful nature. However, the most recent attempts in the and the to adopt a document on a weapons-free outer space have failed.
A new race to space
The race to conquer space in the 21st century has changed significantly, allowing other major countries such as China, the European Union, India, and Japan to enter the space race.
But the conquest of space is no longer limited to geopolitical tensions; it has broadened its horizons, opening up to large private companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and its Mars colonisation programme, or Blue Origin founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and focused on aerospace transportation.
This great increase of actors in space exploration, whether on the Moon or other planets, such as Mars, increases the potential risk of conflict. To avoid any type of confrontation in outer space, the United Nations has to prevent conflicts in space.
All humankind should benefit from the exploration of space
The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, also known as the , was opened for signature by the three depositary governments (the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) in January 1967, and it entered into force in October 1967.
The Outer Space Treaty provides the basic framework for international space law, including the following principles:
- The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.
- Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States.
- Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
- States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.
- The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.
- States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities.
- States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects.
- States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
The Moon belongs to all mankind
The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies or the “” builds on the Outer Space Treaty by focusing on the Moon and other celestial bodies. It states that these bodies should only be used for peaceful purposes and that we should not harm their environment.
The United Nations must be notified of the location and purpose of any stations on these bodies. Furthermore, the Agreement declares that the Moon and its natural resources belong to all humanity and calls for an international system to manage the use of these resources as they become available for exploitation.
The Agreement was adopted by the in 1979 and entered into force on 11 July 1984. Since 2021, the United Nations also celebrates the International Moon Day on 20 July.
No astronaut should be left behind
The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, commonly referred to as the , stipulates that states shall take all possible measures to rescue and assist astronauts in distress and to return them promptly to their launching states. It also requires states to provide assistance, to the launching states in recovering space objects that have returned to Earth outside of the launching state's territory.
The agreement was adopted by the in 1968 and entered into force on 3 December 1968.
Pick up your space debris
The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, known as the , states that a launching State is liable to compensate for any damage caused by its space objects on the Earth's surface or to aircraft. Additionally, the State is liable for damage caused by failures that occur in space. The Convention also outlines the procedures for the settlement of claims relating to such damage.
The Convention was adopted by the and opened for signature in 1972 finally entering into force on 1 September 1972.
Space object registration: You can count on me
The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, otherwise called , calls for the establishment of a mechanism to allow States to assist in the identification of space objects. It expanded the scope of the previous United Nations , and also addressed the responsibilities of States Parties regarding their space objects. Additionally, the Secretary-General was once again tasked with maintaining and ensuring full and open access to the information provided by States and international intergovernmental organizations.
The Registration Convention was adopted by the in 1974 (General Assembly ), opened for signature in 1975 and entered into force on 15 September 1976.
Observances
- International Day of Human Space Flight (12 April) marks the start of the space age and the important contributions that space science and technology make to sustainable development goals. It also ensures that countries' aspirations to keep space for peaceful purposes are realised.
- International Asteroid Day (30 June) raises awareness of asteroid impacts and global crisis communication plans for near-Earth objects.
- International Moon Day (20 July) marks the anniversary of the first landing by humans on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969.
- World Space Week (4-10 October) aims to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
