The Outer Space Treaty, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a multilateral treaty that forms the basis of international space law. Negotiated and drafted under the auspices of the United Nations, it was opened for signature in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union on 27 January 1967, entering into force on 10 October 1967. As of May 2025, 116 countries are parties to the treaty—including all major spacefaring nations—and another 22 are signatories.
China has launched a scathing attack on President Trump’s proposed $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system,..