COPUOS

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is the forum for the development of international space law. The Committee has concluded five international treaties and five sets of principles on space-related activities. For reference I am including a brief description of the U.N. space laws.

The treaties commonly referred to as the "five United Nations treaties on outer space" are:

1. 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

2. "Rescue Agreement" - Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space

3. "Liability Convention" - Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects

4. "Registration Convention" - Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space

5. "Moon Agreement" - Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

The regions of space that I have defined provide a more concise “location” in space for which laws may be written. These regions allow for laws to be more clearly defined in their application than the COPUOS conventions and agreements but would be inclusive of COPUOS.

This paper, as does many other topics within this blog, assumes that the peaceful and cooperative use of “space” is imminent (the Colonial Model) and that the need for planning as far out into space and future times as we can will help to ensure success from the outset. 

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