Overview of Existing Laws & Policies
The Outer Space Treaty (1967) - This treaty bans nuclear weapons in space and claims of sovereignty over celestial bodies, establishing space as a global commons.
Source: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies" (1967).
Website: [UNOOSA - OuterSpaceTreaty]
Source: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html
The Rescue Agreement (1968) - This agreement obligates states to rescue and return astronauts in distress.
Source:United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), "Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space" (1968).
Website: [UNOOSA - Rescue Agreement (https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introrescueagreement.html)
The Liability Convention (1972) - Governs liability for damage caused by space objects.
Source: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), "Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects" (1972).
Website: [UNOOSA - Liability Convention] (https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/liability-convention.html)
The Registration Convention (1975) - Requires registering space objects to ensure identification.
Source: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), "Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space" (1975).
Website: [UNOOSA - Registration Convention] (https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/registration-convention.html)
The Moon Agreement (1979) - Bans military and weapons testing on celestial bodies, calls for international cooperation.
Source: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), "Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies" (1979).
Website: [UNOOSA - Moon Agreement] (https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/moon-agreement.html)
US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (2015) - Promotes commercial space industry and property rights for space resources.
Source: US Congress, "US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act" (2015).
Website: [US Congress - US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act] (https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2262)
Artemis Accords (2020) - Sets principles for cooperation in space exploration under the Artemis program.
Source: NASA, "The Artemis Accords: Principles for a Safe, Peaceful & Prosperous Future" (2020).
Website: [NASA - Artemis Accords]