By Wukatwe Charles Wakji, Llm

When States began to explore Space, there was the need to develop a set of international principles to govern space activities.

In December, 1958, the United Nations General Assembly established an ad hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) which eventually became a permanent Committee of the United Nations.  The COPUOS, comprises of a Legal Subcommittee and a Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. The treaties were negotiated within the Legal Sub-Committee of UN-COPUOS. These treaties which make up the laws that regulate space activities in the international scene are five (5) in number. They are:

  1. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, 1967 (Outer Space Treaty),
  2. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space 1968 (Rescue and Return Agreement),
  3. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects 1972 (Liability Convention),
  4. Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space 1975 (Registration Convention) and
  5. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies 1979 (Moon Agreement).

Nigeria is a signatory of four (4) out of the five (5) treaties. Those treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory to are: the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue and Return Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention. Nigerian is not a signatory to the Moon Agreement. Therefore, internationally, Nigeria is bound by the provisions of these four (4) treaties as far as space activities are concerned.

The Outer Space Treaty is known as the ground norm of the Space Treaties. It is the basic treaty from which all the other treaties arose. This is so because many of the broad principles set forth in this treaty are the basis for subsequent treaties. It is a Treaty on principles containing rules of a general nature.

Wukatwe Charles Wakji Esq. can be contacted via: charlzwakji@gmail.com

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