Space Preservation Treaty
Encyclopedia
The Space Preservation Treaty (SPT) is a proposed international treaty
from October 2, 2001 to ban space weapons in whole, an expansion on part of the Outer Space Treaty
, which bars States Parties to the Treaty from placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction
in orbit of Earth, installing them on the Moon
or any other celestial body
, or to otherwise station them in outer space
. The Treaty would establish a peacekeeping
agency to monitor outer space and enforce the ban on space-based weapons. Its U.S. national companion, the Space Preservation Act, was introduced for the fourth time to the United States House of Representatives
by Congressman Dennis Kucinich
on May 18, 2005.
, co-founded by Dr. Carol Rosin and Alfred Webre
, initiated the Treaty. It has received support from over 274 NGO
s and from various Canadian
politicians, including Hon. Paul Hellyer
, a former Minister of Defense, and Svend Robinson
, a former Member of Parliament.http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=1500
The United Kingdom government believed outer space controls were linked to ground based proliferation issues, and progress would be easier if each issue was approached separately on its merit rather than taking a comprehensive approach. The Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
is an appropriate next step.
While no country has yet signed the Treaty, only the City of Berkeley
and a few municipalities in Canada
.
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
from October 2, 2001 to ban space weapons in whole, an expansion on part of the Outer Space Treaty
Outer Space Treaty
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 treaty that forms the basis of international space law...
, which bars States Parties to the Treaty from placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction
Weapons of mass destruction
A weapon of mass destruction is a weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures , natural structures , or the biosphere in general...
in orbit of Earth, installing them on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
or any other celestial body
Celestial Body
Celestial Body is a Croatian film directed by Lukas Nola. It was released in 2000....
, or to otherwise station them in outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
. The Treaty would establish a peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
agency to monitor outer space and enforce the ban on space-based weapons. Its U.S. national companion, the Space Preservation Act, was introduced for the fourth time to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
by Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Dennis Kucinich
Dennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
on May 18, 2005.
History
The Institute for Cooperation in SpaceInstitute for Cooperation in Space
The Institute for Cooperation in Space no longer exists.The Institute for Security and Cooperation in Outer Space, ISCOS, now exists as a Foundation focused on educating about the Outer Space Security and Development Treaty of 2011 ready to be signed and ratified into law. Founded by Dr...
, co-founded by Dr. Carol Rosin and Alfred Webre
Alfred Webre
Alfred Lambremont Webre, J.D., M.Ed. is an author, lawyer , futurist, peace activist, environmental activist, and a space activist who promotes the ban of space weapons. He was a co-architect of the Space Preservation Treaty and the Space Preservation Act that was introduced to the U.S...
, initiated the Treaty. It has received support from over 274 NGO
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s and from various Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politicians, including Hon. Paul Hellyer
Paul Hellyer
Paul Theodore Hellyer, PC is a Canadian engineer, politician, writer and commentator who has had a long and varied career. He is the longest serving current member of the Privy Council, just ahead of Prince Philip.-Early life:...
, a former Minister of Defense, and Svend Robinson
Svend Robinson
Svend Robinson is a former Canadian politician. He was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 2004, representing the suburban Vancouver-area constituency of Burnaby for the New Democratic Party...
, a former Member of Parliament.http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=1500
The United Kingdom government believed outer space controls were linked to ground based proliferation issues, and progress would be easier if each issue was approached separately on its merit rather than taking a comprehensive approach. The Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
The Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty is a proposed international treaty to prohibit the further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices. The treaty has not been negotiated and its terms remain to be defined...
is an appropriate next step.
While no country has yet signed the Treaty, only the City of Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
and a few municipalities in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
External links
- Congressman Kucinich introduces Space Preservation Act to Congress
- Canada seeking new treaty on space weapons
- Hon. Paul Hellyer supports a ban on space weapons
- Svend Robinson, former Canadian MP, supports the Space Preservation Treaty
- Support for the Space Preservation Treaty by 274 NGO's
- China & Russia on banning space weapons