Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

  • Policy Issues
    • Fact Sheets
    • Countries
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Non-Proliferation
    • Nuclear Security
    • Biological & Chemical Weapons
    • Defense Spending
    • Missile Defense
    • No First Use
  • Nukes of Hazard
    • Podcast
    • Blog
      • Next Up In Arms Control
    • Videos
  • Join Us
  • Press
  • About
    • Staff
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Treaties / Outer Space Treaty

November 16, 2022

Outer Space Treaty

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, also known as 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 multilateral agreement initiated by the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Its primary objective was the implementation of international law governing space exploration, weapons testing and territorial claims. It was drafted and signed in 1967 by more than 100 countries and has since been ratified by 95 countries. The original provisions of the treaty are still in effect today.

Article VI contains the bulk of the treaty’s arms control requirements. Among the key principles enshrined is that space is to be used for peaceful purposes only. This means that countries cannot:

  • Place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit, on the moon, or on any celestial body.
  • Use the moon or any celestial body to test weaponry of any kind, including nuclear weapons.

The treaty was born from the emergence of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and other long-range rocket systems, during a period commonly referred to as “The Space Race.” Both the West and the Soviet Union shared the opinion that space should be neutral territory and off limits for weapons and weapons testing; however, peripheral disagreements regarding U.S. foreign basing prevented the two from reaching a formal settlement.

Finally, the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 included key provisions banning the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater and in space, which assuaged Soviet concerns and allowed them to agree to the broader provisions in the Outer Space Treaty.

The General Assembly of the United Nations provided the multilateral forum by which a formal resolution banning weapons activity in space could be adopted. By 1966, both the United States and the Soviet Union submitted draft treaties and began negotiations. The agreement was signed in January 1967 and was formally ratified by the U.S. Senate in October the same year.

Posted in: Europe, Factsheets & Analysis on Russia, Russia, Treaties, United States

Tweets by Nukes of Hazard

Recent Posts

  • Next Up – It’s Your Turn  March 27, 2023
  • Germany walks fine line on nuclear weapons March 24, 2023
  • Russia-Ukraine War Threatens to Trigger New Nuclear Arms Race March 22, 2023
  • A Major Clue to COVID’s Origins Is Just Out of Reach March 21, 2023
  • Growing number of high-security pathogen labs around world raises concerns March 17, 2023
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.546.0795

Issues

  • Fact Sheets
  • Countries
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Non-Proliferation
  • Nuclear Security
  • Defense Spending
  • Biological and Chemical Weapons
  • Missile Defense
  • No First Use

Countries

  • China
  • France
  • India and Pakistan
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom

Explore

  • Nukes of Hazard blog
  • Nukes of Hazard podcast
  • Nukes of Hazard videos
  • Front and Center
  • Fact Sheets

About

  • About
  • Meet the Staff
  • Boards & Experts
  • Press
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Council for a Livable World
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2023 Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Privacy Policy

Charity Navigator GuideStar Seal of Transparency