What Outer Space Treaty 1967 Article 4 - Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Outer Space and Peaceful Use of Celestial Bodies requires
Article 4 of the OST prohibits States from placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth, on celestial bodies, or stationing them in outer space in any other manner. The moon and other celestial bodies are reserved exclusively for peaceful purposes - no military bases, weapons testing, or military manoeuvres may be conducted on them. However, Article 4 does not prohibit the use of military personnel for scientific or peaceful purposes, or the use of military equipment for peaceful purposes. Conventional weapons in orbit are not expressly prohibited by Article 4, creating a legal gap addressed by multilateral diplomacy but not yet by treaty.
Pillar: Space & Satellite Law · Authority: UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) · Version: 1.0.0 · Last updated:
Primary source: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html
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Primary Citations — 5 traced to source
- Outer Space Treaty 1967 Article IV(1): States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.
- Outer Space Treaty 1967 Article IV(2): The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used by all States Parties to the Treaty exclusively for peaceful purposes. The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military manoeuvres on celestial bodies shall be forbidden.
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