posted on Oct, 2 2009 @ 08:34 PM
I found this that I thought should be read..
ENTERED INTO FORCE: 11 July 1984
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 exclusively for peaceful
purposes.
2. Any threat or use of force or any other hostile act or threat of
hostile act on the moon is prohibited. It is likewise prohibited to use
the moon in order to commit any such act or to engage in any such threat
in relation to the earth, the moon, spacecraft, the personnel of
spacecraft or man-made space objects.
3. States Parties shall not place in orbit around or other trajectory to
or around the moon objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of
weapons of mass destruction or place or use such weapons on or in the
moon.
4. The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications,
the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military manoeuvres
on the moon shall be forbidden. The use of military personnel for
scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes shall not be
prohibited. The use of any equipment or facility necessary for peaceful
exploration and use of the moon shall also not be prohibited.
Article 4
1. The exploration and use of the moon shall be the province of all
mankind and shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of
all c