Efforts to preserve peace in outer space began with the dawn of the Space Age. Even before the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the United States initiated discussions aimed at keeping space reserved for peaceful purposes. However, the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles by both the US and the USSR complicated these efforts. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United Nations took a renewed interest in imposing a moratorium on placing nuclear weapons in space. This led to the passage of UN Resolution 1884 in 1963, urging nations to refrain from deploying nuclear weapons in space—a resolution that later paved the way for the adoption of the Outer Space Treaty.

The treaty includes several provisions to ensure all space-related activities remain strictly peaceful. Notably, Article IV imposes strict restrictions, including a prohibition on deploying nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, as well as establishing military bases on the moon or any other celestial bodies. States may not conduct or simulate exercises that involve nuclear weapons. Below are the treaty’s restrictions:

• Place in orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies any nuclear weapons or objects carrying WMD.
• Install WMD on celestial bodies or station WMD in outer space in any other manner.
• Establish military bases or installations, test “any type of weapons,” or conduct military exercises on the moon and other celestial bodies.