The Outer Space Treaty

The Magna Carta of space

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the foundation of international space law. 112 states are parties.

Core principles

• Free use of outer space by all states, without discrimination.
• Non-appropriation — no state may claim sovereignty over the Moon or other celestial bodies.
• Peaceful purposes — no weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies.
• State responsibility — states bear international responsibility for national activities, including those of commercial operators under their jurisdiction.
• Liability — a launching state is liable for damage caused by its space objects.

Why startups care

Article VI makes your government legally on the hook for your space activities. That is why national licensing regimes (FCC, FAA/OST, CAA, Arianespace national frame, etc.) exist — they are how the state supervises you to discharge its OST duties.