♤ Thus, the issue requires international attention and cooperation to be resolved.

2.3. The Outer Space Treaty

♤ Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

♤ The Treaty was opened for signature by the three depository Governments (the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) in January 1967, and it entered into force in October 1967.

♤ 107 countries are parties to the treaty, while another 23 have signed the treaty but have not completed ratification.

♤ The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) oversees these treaties and other questions of space jurisdiction.

♤ The Outer Space Treaty provides the basic framework on international space law, including the following principles:

o the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind;

o outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States;

o outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means;

o 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;