The Outer Space Treaty, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law.

The legal framework for a treaty on PAROS is set out in the Outer Space Treaty.

Seriously concerned about the possibility of an arms race in outer space, and bearing in mind the importance of article IV of the Outer Space Treaty,

Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water

The cornerstone of international space law is the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, of which the United Kingdom is a depository.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty reflects international consensus on the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes .

The framework for international space law was established by the Outer Space Treaty, which was passed by the United Nations in 1967.

Essentially, it presents our tentative definitions of terms such as outer space, outer space object and weapons in outer space.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, as recalled by other delegations, already disciplines principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space, but there is a need to consolidate and reinforce the regime established by that Treaty and enhance its effectiveness.

New Zealand strongly supports the consideration of a treaty on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

On the basis of the precepts of the 1966 Outer Space Treaty, we believe that it would be appropriate to negotiate a legally binding international instrument which would prohibit any deployment of weapons in outer space.

(a) The 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 , General Assembly resolution 2222 (XXI), annex) had 98 States parties and had been signed by 27 additional States

Many questions have been raised, including a possible distinction between weaponization and militarization of outer space, and definitions of technical terms, such as  outer space , space weapon , space object and peaceful use of outer space .

The need to work more on a treaty that prevents the weaponization of outer space, and that contains methods of verification.

Peaceful uses of outer space

The view was expressed that outer space must be protected from the threat posed by weapons in outer space.

For example, in response to the increasing commercialization of outer space, the Office for Outer Space Affairs should continue its yearly workshops on space law.

As the fortieth anniversary of the signing of the Outer Space Treaty approaches, we would urge Member States to work towards universalizing the Treaty, which currently has 98 States parties.

Space warfare is combat that takes place in outer space, i.e.

Russia has considerable space potential and experience in outer space exploration.

This multilateral legal regime for outer space, however, bans only the introduction of weapons of mass destruction in outer space.

Both are aimed at a single goal that of promoting the security of outer space, strengthening mutual trust and cooperation among States in outer space, and working to prevent an arms race in outer space.

Otherwise, the right to the peaceful use of outer space and the safety of outer space assets will be put in jeopardy.

There have recently been worrying developments relating to outer space, making efforts to halt the weaponization of outer space the more pressing.

As we approach the fortieth anniversary of the signing of the Outer Space Treaty, we would urge member States to work towards universalizing the Outer Space Treaty, which currently has 98 States parties. For those delegations who today question the need to negotiate treaty law in the disarmament field, let me ask them to consider the level of vulnerability of the commercial, communication, verification and intelligence assets in space, if not for this existing multilateral legal regime.

The fundamental legal instrument governing outer space activities, the OST, has loopholes with regards to the prevention of outer space weaponization, and no international consensus has been reached on how to address the serious challenges facing outer space.

Over the past 35 years, a number of treaties and agreements have been concluded to protect assets in space, among which the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, concluded in the early years of space exploration, remains the most important.

Seriously concerned about the possibility of an arms race in outer space, and bearing in mind the importance of article IV of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,

Outer space is the heritage of all mankind. A limited number of international agreements address the issue before us, the most outstanding being the Treaty on Principles governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

a. The definition and delimitation of outer space

5. Requests the Office for Outer Space Affairs

a. The definition and delimitation of outer space

Use of nuclear power sources in outer space

Prevention of an arms race in outer space

Outer space is the common heritage of mankind.

47th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space

48th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space

Discussion on how to preserve security in outer space and prevent an arms race in outer space put forward three options to choose from

To face this problem, we need to patch up the international legal system on outer space, in particular we need to ensure that we develop a comprehensive regime preventing weaponization of outer space and an arms race in outer space.

We firmly believe that only a legal instrument prohibiting the deployment of weapons in outer space and the prevention of the threat or use of force against outer space objects can eliminate the emerging threat of the weaponization of outer space.

The Office for Outer Space Affairs briefed the Meeting on its website on the coordination of outer space activities within the United Nations system (www.uncosa.unvienna.org).

Another step available to all States is to accede to the Outer Space Treaty, and Canada encourages all those that have not yet done so to ratify the Treaty before its fortieth anniversary in 2007.

(i) Use of nuclear power sources in outer space

(ii) Use of nuclear power sources in outer space

If outer space is infinite, our patience is not.