Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space

A/RES/1962(XVIII)View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, published in 1964.

What subjects does this mandate have?

11 subjects

Astronauts Declarations (Text)Outer Space Principles Sovereignty Space Exploration Space Law Space Object Registration Space Objects Spacecraft Launchings State Liability

What’s in this document?

9 operative paragraphs

The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on for the benefit :md in the interests of all mankind.

Outer space and celestial bodies are free for exploration and use by all States on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law.

Outer space and celestial bodies are not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.

The activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. in the interest of maintaining internatiom 1 peace and security and promoting international cooperation and understanding.

States bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, whether carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried on in conformity with the principles set forth in the present Declaration. The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space shall re<iuire authorization and continuing supervision by the State concerned. When activities are carried on in outer space by an international organization, responsibilitv for compliance with the principles set forth in this Declaration shall be borne by the international organization and by the States participating in it.

In the exploration and use of outer space, States shall be guided by the principle of co-operation and mutual assistance and shall conduct all their activities in outer space with due regard for the corresponding interests of other States. If a State has reason to believe that an outer space activity or experiment planned by it or its nationals would cause potentially harmful interference with activities of other States in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, it shall undertake appropriate international consultations before proceeding with any such activity or experiment. A State which has reason to believe that an outer space activity or experiment planned by another State would cause potentially harmful interference with activities in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space may request consultation concerning the activity or experiment.

The State on whose registry an obj~t launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and any personnel thereon, while in outer space. Ownership of objects launched into outer space, and of their component parts, is not affected by their passage through outer space or by their return to the earth. Such objects or component parts found beyond the limits of the State of registry shall be returned to that State, which shall furnish identifying data upon request prior to return.

Each State which launches or procures the launching of an object into outer space, and each State from whose territory or facility an object is launched, is internationally liable for damage to a foreign State or

to its natural or juridical persons by such object or its component parts on the earth, in air space, or in outer space.

States shall regard astronauts as envoys of mankind in outer space, and shall render to them all possible assistance in the event of accident, distress, or emergency landing on the territory of a foreign State or on the high seas. Astronauts who make such a landing shall be safely and promptly returned to the State of registry of their space vehicle.

13 December 1963.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

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