With the Soviet lunch of the Sputnik satellite in 1959, the world was thrust into the Space Race. The ability to launch objects into obit above the Earth was more than just a scientific opportunity. In the history of warfare, who ever holds the “high ground” is at an advantage. If weapons platforms were placed in orbit above the Earth, the nation that launched the platforms would have the ability to rain down destruction on its enemies in a matter of minutes anywhere in the world. With the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and the rapidly developing arsenals of nuclear weapons, the early 1960s saw the rise of concern that either or both of the military superpowers might place nuclear weapons in orbit.
In 1967, a treaty was drafted that dealt with various aspects of the exploration and exploitation of space. The official name of the treaty is Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Informally, the Treaty is known as the Outer Space Treaty. The United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union drew up the Treaty, signed it and put it into effect as of October 10, 1967.
The Treaty bans the signatories from sending nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction into orbit around the Earth. It also bans the placement on such weapons on the Moon, any other celestial bodies or anywhere else in space. The Treaty states the Moon and other celestial bodies may only be used for peaceful purposes and specifically states that there can be no use of such bodies for the testing of weapons of any kind, building of any military bases or fortification or for any military maneuvers. However, the Treaty does not prohibit the placement of conventional weapons in orbit. There has been research and proposals for weapons tailored for use from orbit that would be very fast and destructive but which might fall under the category of conventional weapons.
The Treaty also states that all signatories shall recognize space and all celestial bodies as belonging to the whole human race and free for exploration and exploitation by all nations. The Treaty states that “outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means". On the other hand, any object launched by any nation remains the responsibility of the launching nation and that nation is responsible for any damage or pollution caused by the object they launched.
Provisions were included for signatory nations to request information about and the right to consult on any intended launch by any other signatory nation. As of 2011, 100 countries have signed the Treaty and another 26 nations are in the process of ratifying and signing.
Soviet Sputnik satellite:
