Outer Space Treaty

Synonyms

OST

Definition

The “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies” represents the basic legal framework of international space law. It was proposed to the UN by the USSR and the US in 1966, and ratified by those countries and, to date, up to 96 others starting in 1967. The Outer Space Treaty (OST) sets up the general principles applicable to the exploration and use of outer space and applies to every activity of states in outer space, whether such activities are carried out by governmental or nongovernmental entities. The Article IX, second sentence, states: “State Parties shall pursue studies of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, and conduct exploration of them so as to avoid their harmful contamination and also adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter and, when necessary, adopt...