The 1979 Agreement on the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies: the History of Development within the Framework of the United Nations and the Reasons for the Failure

The study examines the history of the development of the 1979 Moon Agreement within the framework of the United Nations, while paying attention not only to its content, but also to the historical background, political and legal context, as well as the reasons why it has not received widespread support from the leading space powers. A special place is occupied by the analysis of the significance of this agreement in the system of legal regulation of space activities, given that it stands out among the five key UN treaties due to its attempt to consolidate the principle of the common heritage of mankind in relation to the natural resources of the Moon and other celestial bodies. In the context of increased interest in the exploration of the Moon and the development of its natural resources, the author raises the question of whether it is possible to integrate certain provisions of the Agreement into future international legal mechanisms that would take into account modern technological capabilities and the economic interests of mankind in the exploration of outer space and celestial bodies.

1. Беркман П. А., Вылегжанин А. Н., Юзбашян М. Р., Модюи Ж.-К. Международное космическое право: общие для России и США вызовы и перспективы // Московский журнал международного права. — 2018. — № 1. — С. 16—34.

2. Исполинов А. С. Международное космическое право эпохи начала бизнес-колонизации космоса // Международное правосудие. — 2020. — № 4 (36). — С. 22—44.

3. Исполинов А. С. Несколько жизней доктрины императивных норм (jus cogens) в международном праве // Международное правосудие. — 2025. — Т. 15. — № 1 (53). — С. 70—97.

4. Штодина И. Ю. Некоторые актуальные вопросы правового обеспечения исследования и использования космоса // Московский журнал международного права. — 2018. — № 2. — С. 71—81.

5. Christol C. The Common Heritage of Mankind Provision in the 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies // International lawyer. — 1980. — Vol. 14. — No. 3. — P. 429—483.

6. Danilenko G. M. Other space and multilateral treaty making process // High Technology Law Journal. — 1989. — Vol. 4. — No. 2. — Р. 217—247.

7. International Space Law / ed. by G. Zhukov, Yu. Kolosov ; transl. by B. Belitzky. — 2nd ed. — Moscow : Statut, 2014. — 173 р.

8. Gangale Th. Myths of the Moon // Agreement Conference: AIAA SPACE 2008. Conference & Exposition. — URL: https//doi.org/10.2514/6.2008-7715. — 24 p.

9. Hanlon M. The Moon Agreement — A Swan Song // Sandeepa Bhat B., Dilip Ukey and Adithya Variath (eds.). International Space Law in the New Space Era: Principles and Challenges. — Oxford, 2024. — P. 143—164.

10. Tronchetti F. Moon Agreement: Key Provisions // Sandeepa Bhat B., Dilip Ukey and Adithya Variath (eds). International Space Law in the New Space Era: Principles and Challenges. — Oxford, 2024. — P. 165—182.

11. Wilson J. Regulation of the Outer Space Environment through International Accord: The 1979 Moon Treaty // Fordham Environmental Law Review. — 2011. — Vol. 2. — No. 2. — P. 173—193.

12. Wrench J. Non-Appropriation, No Problem: The Outer Space Treaty is Ready for Asteroid Mining // Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law. — 2019. — Vol. 51. — No. 1. — P. 437—462.