Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A01037:schedule:4:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A01037
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 4 (pt 1/9)
Character Range: 16123–18913

Schedule 4—Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies

Note: This is the copy of the Agreement referred to in paragraph (d) of the definition of UN Space Treaties in section 8 of this Act.

THE STATES PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT,

NOTING the achievements of States in the exploration and use of the moon and other celestial bodies,

RECOGNIZING that the moon, as a natural satellite of the earth, has an important role to play in the exploration of outer space,

DETERMINED to promote on the basis of equality the further development of co‑operation among States in the exploration and use of the moon and other celestial bodies,

DESIRING to prevent the moon from becoming an area of international conflict,

BEARING IN MIND the benefits which may be derived from the exploitation of the natural resources of the moon and other celestial bodies,

RECALLING the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space,

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the need to define and develop the provisions of these international instruments in relation to the moon and other celestial bodies, having regard to further progress in the exploration and use of outer space,

Have agreed on the following:

Article 1

1. The provisions of this Agreement relating to the moon shall also apply to other celestial bodies within the solar system, other than the earth, except in so far as specific legal norms enter into force with respect to any of these celestial bodies.

2. For the purposes of this Agreement reference to the moon shall include orbits around or other trajectories to or around it.

3. This Agreement does not apply to extraterrestrial materials which reach the surface of the earth by natural means.

Article 2

All activities on the moon, including its exploration and use, shall be carried out in accordance with international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, and taking into account the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co‑operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, adopted by the General Assembly on 24 October 1970, in the interests of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international co‑operation and mutual understanding, and with due regard to the corresponding interests of all other States Parties.

Article 3

1. The moon shall be used by all States Parties