ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the important early treaties providing more specific legal norms for nations' space activities: the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 and the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The members of the Technical Committee took as a basis working papers circulated by the United States and Italy on the scientific possibilities of use of outer space and on the activities and resources of the United Nations and the specialized agencies in the field of outer space. Although some of the regard for the Treaty may stem as much from sentiment as from any concrete benefits it provides the Outer Space Treaty does accomplish a great deal. The res communis quality of the space environment and its natural resources has been reflected in international agreements and international practice. Such agreements, applicable to States and to international intergovernmental organizations, contain formal prohibitions against the assertion of national sovereignty over the space environment.
