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Outer Space Treaty
About:
- The Outer Space Treaty, formally known as 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 signed on January 27, 1967, and entered into force on October 10, 1967.
- This treaty established a framework for international space law, emphasising that outer space shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and prohibiting the placement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies.
Significance of the Outer Space Treaty:
- Peaceful Use of Space: The treaty mandates that space exploration should be conducted for peaceful purposes, preventing military activities such as establishing bases or conducting manoeuvres on celestial bodies.
- International Cooperation: It encourages cooperation among nations in space exploration and prohibits any claims of sovereignty over outer space or celestial bodies, reinforcing the idea that space is a global commons.
- Prevention of Arms Race: By prohibiting the deployment of weapons in space, the treaty aims to prevent an arms race that could extend into outer space, thereby contributing to global security.
Need for Reforms Due to Weaponisation of Space:
- Emerging Military Technologies: The rapid development of military technologies related to space, including anti-satellite weapons and missile defense systems, poses new challenges that the original treaty did not foresee.
- Inadequate Coverage: While the treaty prohibits weapons of mass destruction, it does not address other types of weapons that could be deployed in space. This gap has led to calls for additional treaties, such as the proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) treaty, which would specifically ban all forms of weaponisation in outer space.
- Growing Geopolitical Tensions: As nations increasingly view space as a strategic domain, there is a heightened risk of conflict.
- Countries like Russia and China have advocated for new agreements to prevent an arms race in outer space, emphasising that existing frameworks are insufficient to address current geopolitical dynamics