What is the Outer Space Treaty?
The Outer Space Treaty, or the “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,” was originally considered under the Legal Subcommittee in 1966, and agreed upon later that year by the General Assembly.
What are the concerns over space weaponization?
In short, the concerns over weaponization involve the potentially destructive nature of space weapons.
What constitutes a weapon in outer space?
It is widely recognized that any definition of what constitutes a weapon in outer space must be driven in terms of what the object is used to do (that is, its instrumentality) rather than its physical properties. This makes common sense as one could not define a weapon on Earth by physical properties or what specific functions it is capable of.
Is outer space subject to national appropriation?
outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means; States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner;
The Outer Space Treaty and the weaponization of space