Origins, Standing, and Limitations of the Outer Space Treaty

Article

“Origins, Standing, and Limitations of the Outer Space Treaty” by Daniel Todd Ward
Published in Quest Volume: 32 #1 (2025)

Honorable Mention: 2024 Sacknoff Prize for Space History

Abstract

Although the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST) was created during the Cold War, it maintains legal relevance today. With decades of political change and scientific advancements affecting space as a field and environment, this article looks to understand how the document is viewed by historians and other scholars. Several universal themes such as the origins of the OST, its position as a foundational document, and its shortcomings came to the forefront. Most of the works reviewed are in general agreement; however, some scholars offer slight variations in their positions. While this article attempts to identify and explain these themes and the minor differences between scholars, it becomes clear that it is neither a failure nor complete success.

Citation

Ward, Daniel Todd. “Origins, Standing, and Limitations of the Outer Space Treaty.” Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly 32, no. 1 (2025): 17-25.