Posted on May 22, 2017
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One of the first major treaties designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons goes into effect as the Soviet Union ratifies an agreement banning nuclear weapons from outer space. The United States, Great Britain, and several dozen other nations had already signed and/or ratified the treaty.
With the advent of the so-called “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union, which had begun in 1957 when the Russians successfully launched the Sputnik satellite, some began to fear that outer space might be the next frontier for the expansion of nuclear weapons. To forestall that eventuality, an effort directed by the United Nations came to fruition in January 1967 when the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and dozens of other nations signed off on a treaty banning nuclear weapons from outer space. The agreement also banned nations from using the moon, other planets, or any other “celestial bodies” as military outposts or bases.
The agreement was yet another step toward limiting nuclear weapons. In 1959, dozens of nations, including the United States and the Soviet Union, had agreed to ban nuclear weapons from Antarctica. In July 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed, banning open-air and underwater nuclear tests. With the action taken in May 1967, outer space was also officially declared off-limits for nuclear weapons.
With the advent of the so-called “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union, which had begun in 1957 when the Russians successfully launched the Sputnik satellite, some began to fear that outer space might be the next frontier for the expansion of nuclear weapons. To forestall that eventuality, an effort directed by the United Nations came to fruition in January 1967 when the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and dozens of other nations signed off on a treaty banning nuclear weapons from outer space. The agreement also banned nations from using the moon, other planets, or any other “celestial bodies” as military outposts or bases.
The agreement was yet another step toward limiting nuclear weapons. In 1959, dozens of nations, including the United States and the Soviet Union, had agreed to ban nuclear weapons from Antarctica. In July 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed, banning open-air and underwater nuclear tests. With the action taken in May 1967, outer space was also officially declared off-limits for nuclear weapons.
Soviets ratify treaty banning nuclear weapons from outer space - May 19, 1967 - HISTORY.com
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Cold War
Cold War
Posted >1 y ago
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Making outer space off limits for militarization is a great thing but it is hard to verify. Think of the number of movies that have one government or another with missiles aboard a so called peaceful satellite. The threat of an asteroid or other space rock hitting the earth is not only possible but collisions occurred in the distant past. That threat has motivated some to consider placing nuclear equipped missiles into earth orbit. The truth is that probably space rock collisions with earth have occurred but it is highly unlikely humanity could prevent a collision. Highly precise force application at the exact time & place upon a threatening space rock, of the like to go well beyond any maneuver in the game of pool or billiards, would require ability outside human understanding or even an ability that could be learned in the future.
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Thanks TSgt Joe C. for reminding us that on May 19, 1969 the USSR ratified the major treaty designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons and agreed to banning nuclear weapons from outer space.
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