The Effect of Later Treaties and Declarations on the Interpretation of the Provisions of the Outer Space Treaty
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.5.05
- Author
Mr. Ricky J. Lee, Ricky J. Lee & Associates, Australia
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, sometimes referred to as the Magna Carta of international space law, embodies some of the fundamental general legal principles as applicable on space activities. Since its adoption 40 years ago, however, a number of multilateral treaties and declarations of the United Nations General Assembly have expanded or modified the application of these principles generally or on specific space applications. This paper will discuss the effects of the later instruments on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty. Examples of this include the effects of the provisions of the Rescue Agreement have on the interpretation and application of Article V; those of the Registration Convention have on Article VIII; and those of the Nuclear Power Sources Principles on Articles V, VI and IX. Some attention will be paid to the effect of the provisions of the Moon Agreement on interpretations of Articles I and II of the Outer Space Treaty, as there would be particular implications for States that have ratified the Outer Space Treaty but not the Moon Agreement.
- Abstract document