Glossary
Space governance terms and acronyms.
A quick reference for readers moving through CGI research and topic pages.
- COPUOS
- The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
- Outer Space Treaty
- The 1967 treaty establishing core principles for the exploration and use of outer space.
- Article II
- The non-appropriation provision of the Outer Space Treaty.
- Article VI
- The provision on national responsibility, authorization, and continuing supervision.
- Article IX
- The provision on due regard, harmful contamination, and consultation.
- Lunar governance
- Rules and institutions for activity on the Moon.
- Space resources
- Material resources beyond Earth that may support missions or infrastructure.
- Harmful contamination
- Contamination that may harm scientific, environmental, or operational interests.
- National authorization
- A state's process for permitting non-governmental space activities.
- Continuing supervision
- The ongoing state oversight required by Article VI.