Question of the Review of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched Into Outer Space

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 137 Question of the review of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, published in 1987.

What subjects does this mandate have?

3 subjects

Signatures, Accessions, Ratifications Spacecraft Launchings Treaties

What’s in this document?

5 operative paragraphs

IV.

Recognizes that, in view of the considerable increase of activities in outer space, effective international rules and procedures concerning the registration of objects launched into outer space continue to be of great importance;

Reaffirms, in this respect, the importance of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space and the registration, pursuant to the Convention, of ali objects launched into outer space;

Urges ali States that have not yet done so, particularly those conducting space activities, to give urgent consideration to ratifying or acceding to the Convention in order to assure its broad application;

A/so urges international intergovernmental organizations that conduct space activities to declare, if they have not yet done so, their acceptance ofthe rights and obligations provided for in the Convention, pursuant to article VII;

Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, within existing resources, a report on the past application of the Convention on Registration of ObJects Launched into Outer Space and to submit it to the Legal Sub-Committee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at its twenty-sixth session, for the information of the Member States.

(e/)

The term "analysed informatíon" means the information resulting from the interpretation of processed data, inputs of data and knowledge from other sourccs;

(e) The term "remole sensing activities" means the operatíon of remote sensing space systems, primary data collection and storage stations, and activities in processing, inlerpreting and disseminating the processed data.

Principie II Remole sensing activities shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of ali countries, irrespective of their degree of economic, social or scientific and technological development, and taking into particular consideration the needs of the developing countries.

Pri nciple I II Remole sensing activities shall be conducted in accordance with international law, including the Charter ofthe United Nations, the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities ofStates in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,24 and the relevan! instruments ofthe lnternational Telecommunication Union

Principie IV Remole sensing aclivities shall be conducted in accordance with the principies contained in article I of the Treaty on Principies Goveming the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which, in particular provides that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of ali countries, irrespective oftheir degree of economic or scientific development, and stipulates the principie of freedom of exploration and use of outer space on a basis of equality. These activities shall be conducted on the basis of respect for the principie of full and permanent sovereignty of ali States and peoples over their own wealth and natural resources, with due regard to the rights and interests, in accordance with international law, of other States and entities under their jurisdiction. Such activities shall not be conducted in a manner detrimental to the legitimate rights and interests of the sensed State.

Principie V States carrying out remole sensing aclivities shall promote international co-operation in these activities. To this end, they shall make available to other Stales opportunities for participation therein. Such participation shall be based in each case on equitable and mutually acceptable terms.

Principie VI In order to maximize the availability of benefits from remote sensing activities, States are encouraged through agreements or other arrangements to provide for the establishment and operation of data collecting and storage stations and processing and interpretation facilities, in particular within the framework of regional agreements or arrangements wherever feasible.

Principie Vil States participating in remote sensing activities shall make available technical assistance to other intercsted States 011 mutually agreed term,

Principie Vl Il The United Nations and the relevan! agencies within the Umted Nations system shall promote international co-operation, including technical assistance and co-ordination in the area of remole sensing.

Pri nciple IX In accordance with article IV of the Convention on RegiMration of Objects Launched into Outer Spacc25 and article XI of the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, a State carrying out a programme of remole sensing shall inform the Secretary- General of the United Nations. lt shall, moreover, make available any other relevan! information to the greatest extent feasible and practicahlr

24 Resolution 2222 (XXI), annex.

25 Resolution 323'i (XXIX), annex to any other State, particularly any developing country that ts atfected by the programme, at 1ts request.

Principie X Remole sensing shall promote thc protection ofthe Earth's natural environment.

To this end, States participating in remole sensing activities that have identified information in their possession that is capable of averting any phenomenon harmful to the Earth's natural environment shall disclose such information to States concerned

Pri nciple XI Remole sensing shall promote the protection of mankind from natural disasters.

To this end, States participating in remole sensing activities that havc identified processed data and analysed information in their possession that may be useful to States atfected by natural disasters, or likely to be atfected by impending natural disasters, shall transmit such data and information to States concerned as promptly as possible.

Principie XII As soon as the primary data and the processed data concerning the territory under its jurisdiction are produced, the sensed Sta te shall have access to them on a non-discriminatory basis and on reasonable cost terms The sensed State shall also have access to the available analysed information concerning the territory under its jurisdiction in the possession of any State participating in remole sensing activities on the same hasis and terms, taking particularly into account the nccds and interests of the developing countries.

Principie XIII To promote and intensify international co-operation, especially with regard to the needs of developing countries, a State carrying out remole sensing of the Earth from outer space shall, u pon request, enter into consultations with a State whose territory is sensed in order to make available opportunities for participation and enhance thc mutual benefits to he derived therefrom.

Principie XIV In compliance w1th article VI of the Treaty on Principies Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, States opcrating remote sensing satellites shall bear international responsibility for their activitie, and assure that such activities are conducted in accordance with these principies and the norms of international law, irrespective of whether such activities are carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities or through international organizations to which such States are parties. This principie i, without prejudicc to the applicahility or the norms of international law on State responsibility for remole sensing ac· tivities.

Principie XV Any dispute re,ultmg from the application ofthese pnnciples shall he

resolved through !he establíshed procedures for the peaceful settletnenl of disputes.

27 Offici11/ Rccords o( rhc Gcnaal Assembly. Fortielh Session, Plenary Mecring.1, 1 18th meeting 28 A/41/562 and Add.1 29 Official Record, of rhe General Assemhl_v, Forty-Jirsr Session. 26 Resolulion 2777 (XXVI). anncx Supp!m1t·111 \'o. 21 1A/4I/21)

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

IV.

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