Outer Space Treaty ratified Oct. 10, 1967

On Oct. 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty was ratified, establishing rules for how nations can explore and use outer space.

The treaty declares that the exploration and use of outer space "shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind," according to Space.com.

It prohibits any nation from claiming territory in outer space and requires that celestial bodies be used "exclusively for peaceful purposes." More than 100 countries have ratified the treaty.

Considered the cornerstone of modern space law, the treaty formally titled the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, has been enforced for modern spaceflight activities, Space.com reports.

What the treaty covers

The treaty's primary focus is the peaceful use of space. A U.S. State Department summary says it includes two key provisions:

• An undertaking not to place in orbit around Earth, install on the moon or any other celestial body, or otherwise station in outer space, nuclear or any other weapons of mass destruction.
• It limits the use of the moon and other celestial bodies exclusively to peaceful purposes and expressly prohibits establishing military bases, installations or fortifications; testing weapons of any kind; or conducting military maneuvers.

Beyond weapons, the treaty addresses ownership of spacecraft and satellites whether in space, on a celestial body's surface or on Earth. It lays the foundation for restrictions on off-Earth property rights and requires parties to provide aid to astronauts in space or during landing emergencies.

• celestial bodies
• Outer Space Treaty
• peaceful use of space
• space history
• space law
• United Nations