(2) Principles adopted by the General Assembly Declaration of Legal
Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use
of Outer Space(Adopted on December 13, 1963, Resolution1962 by the UN
General Assembly 18th Session)
The General Assembly,
Inspired by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result
of man's entry into outer space,
Recognizing the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the
exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,
Believing that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried
on for the betterment of mankind and for the benefit of States irrespective
of their degree of economic or scientific development,
Desiring to contribute to broad international cooperation in the scientific
as well as in the legal aspects of exploration and use of outer space
for peaceful purposes,
Believing that such cooperation will contribute to the development of
mutual understanding and to the strengthening of friendly relations between
nations and peoples,
Recalling its resolution 110 (II) of 3 November 1947, which condemned
propaganda designed or likely to provoke or encourage any threat to the
peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, and considering that
the aforementioned resolution is applicable to outer space,
Taking into consideration its resolutions 1721 (XVI) of 20 December 1961
and 1802 (XVII) of 14 December 1962, adopted unanimously by the States
Members of the United Nations,
Solemnly declares that in the exploration and use of outer space States
should be guided by the following principles:
1. |
The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on for the
benefit and in the interests of all mankind. |
2. |
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. |
3. |
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. |
4. |
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
international peace and security and promoting international cooperation
and understanding. |
5. |
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 require authorization and continuing supervision
by the State concerned. When activities are carried on in outer space
by an international organization, responsibility for compliance with
the principles set forth in this Declaration shall be borne by the
international organization and by the States participating in it. |
6. |
In the exploration and use of outer space, States shall be guided
by the principle of cooperation 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. |
7. |
The State on whose registry an object 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. |
8. |
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. |
9. |
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.
|
 |
 |
|