INFORMATION ON OUTER SPACE ACTIVITIES & Space Diplomacy
Governments, businesses, and other stakeholders need to know what existing and changing information affects prospects for building collaboration. We track, assess, and relay this knowledge to a worldwide audience.
The existing information below relates the basics of international space law, national regulations and policy, and intergovernmental activities and organizations.
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INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW
Please see space law under the auspices of the United Nations, and the current status of specific international treaties, principles, and resolutions governing outer space activities.
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty)
Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Rescue Agreement)
Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (Liability Convention)
Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Registration Convention)
Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Moon Agreement)
Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space (Declaration of Legal Principles)
The Principles Governing the Use by Sates of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting (The Broadcasting Principles)
The Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space (Remote Sensing Principles)
The Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (Nuclear Power Sources Principles)
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 (Benefits Declaration)
National Regulation and Policy
Countries differ in terms of their national regulation and policies for space-related activities, as shown in the case of the United States.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rules and regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 14, Chapter V.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 14, Chapter III.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 47.
Department of State export controls through International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) are in the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M.
Department of Commerce controls through Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are in the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 15, Subtitle B, Chapter VII, Subchapter C.
U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act is at Public Law 114-90-Nov. 25, 2015.
Executive Order on Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources is available through The White House, 6 April 2020.