The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) launched a new platform called Accessing Space Treaty Resources Online (ASTRO) at the end of 2022. ASTRO is a comprehensive collection of international and national legal instruments related to space activities. The platform was developed by UNOOSA with financial support from the government of Luxembourg.

Objectives of ASTRO

The main objectives of the ASTRO platform are to:

• Raise global awareness about the five United Nations treaties on outer space
• Promote adherence to these treaties and other non-binding international instruments relevant to space law
• Share best practices in national space legislation and policy
• Foster the development of national legal and policy frameworks governing space activities

By providing a centralized repository of space law resources, ASTRO aims to make this important information more accessible to UN member states, international organizations, academia, the private sector, civil society and the general public.

Five UN Treaties on Outer Space

The five United Nations treaties on outer space form the foundation of international space law. These are:

1. The Outer Space Treaty (1967) – Formally 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”, this treaty establishes the basic framework for international space law. It declares that the exploration and use of outer space shall be for the benefit of all humanity and that space is free for exploration and use by all States.
2. The Rescue Agreement (1968) – Requires States to take all possible steps to rescue and assist astronauts in distress and promptly return them to the launching State. It also requires States to provide assistance to launching States in recovering space objects that return to Earth outside the territory of the launching State.
3. The Liability Convention (1972) – Establishes that a launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on the surface of the Earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space. The Convention also provides for procedures for the settlement of claims for damages.
4. The Registration Convention (1975) – Requires States to maintain a national registry of objects launched into outer space and to provide the United Nations with information on space objects for inclusion in a central UN Register. This helps to identify space objects and monitor their status.
5. The Moon Agreement (1979) – Confirms and elaborates on many of the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty as applied to the Moon and other celestial bodies, providing that those bodies should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, that their environments should not be disrupted, and that the United Nations should be informed of the location and purpose of any station established on those bodies. This agreement has not been widely ratified.

Additional Non-Binding Instruments

In addition to the five UN treaties, ASTRO also includes non-binding international instruments that are relevant to space law and policy. Some key examples are:

• The Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space (1963)
• The Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting (1982)
• The Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space (1986)
• The Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (1992)
• The Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries (1996)

While not legally binding, these instruments provide important guidance and reflect the consensus of the international community on key aspects of space activities.

National Space Legislation

As more and more countries become involved in space activities, it is increasingly important for States to develop national legal and policy frameworks to govern these activities in line with international law. ASTRO provides access to a growing collection of national space legislation from countries around the world.

Having national space legislation in place provides several benefits:

• Establishes the legal basis for national space activities and the roles and responsibilities of government entities and non-governmental actors involved
• Helps to ensure that national space activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with international law
• Promotes the development of the national space sector by providing legal certainty and predictability for investors and operators
• Protects national security and foreign policy interests related to space

UNOOSA encourages all States conducting or planning to conduct space activities to enact national legislation and stands ready to assist in this process through its capacity-building and technical assistance activities.

Capacity-Building and Technical Assistance

An important part of UNOOSA’s mandate is to build capacity in space law and policy and to provide technical assistance to help countries develop national space legislation. The Office conducts a range of capacity-building activities, including:

• Training courses and workshops on space law and policy
• Advisory missions to assist countries in developing national space legislation and policy
• Facilitating the exchange of information and best practices between countries
• Maintaining a network of space law experts who can provide advice and assistance

Through these activities, UNOOSA helps to ensure that all countries, especially developing countries, can benefit from space activities and that these activities are conducted in a safe, responsible and sustainable manner.

The Way Forward

As the space sector continues to grow and evolve, with more countries and private actors becoming involved, it is vital to ensure that space activities are governed by a clear and comprehensive legal framework at both the international and national levels. The ASTRO platform is an important tool in this regard, making space law resources more accessible and supporting the development of national space legislation.

Looking ahead, UNOOSA will continue to work with UN Member States, international organizations, industry, academia and civil society to promote the peaceful uses of outer space and to strengthen the global governance of space activities. Key priorities include:

• Encouraging universal adherence to the five UN treaties on outer space
• Supporting the development of national space legislation and policy
• Promoting international cooperation in space activities
• Ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities
• Leveraging space technology and applications to support sustainable development on Earth

These efforts can help ensure that space remains a realm of peace, cooperation and benefit for all humanity.