ABSTRACT
Space law comprises all the national and international law and practices that affect the use of space. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 sets out fundamental principles including that law applies in space, that there can be no claim of sovereignty over celestial objects, that space is to be used for peaceful purposes only and that its use is for the benefit of all and can be engaged in by all. The Agreement on Rescue and Return of Astronauts, 1968; the Liability Convention, 1972; and the Registration Convention, 1975 ratified by all states presently engaged in space activities, fill out important detail. The Moon Agreement of 1979 is less successful. Subsequent to the treaties, progress has come through compliance with UN General Assembly commendations of principles and declarations drafted by the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and commended by the UN General Assembly. Practical arrangements between space agencies and others engaged in the use of space may also develop law. Radio, regulated through the International Telecommunication Union, is essential for space operations. Current problems are constellations of nano-sats and cube-sats in low Earth orbit, space tourism and the mining of the Moon and asteroids.
