Article V of the Outer Space Treaty

A register of what 129 states answer when they are asked, in writing, who Article V protects.

Article V, Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, 1967: “States Parties to the Treaty shall regard astronauts as envoys of mankind in outer space.”

On 2 September 2026 the same question went to 129 diplomatic missions in Ottawa: does Article V apply to every person who goes into space, whatever their citizenship or immigration status, or only to nationals of the launching state? Every mission was asked for the position of its state in writing by 15 October 2026.

The question is not academic. Private operators carry people into space under commercial contract, outside any national programme, and some of those people hold the citizenship of no launching state. The text says envoys of mankind. It does not say nationals. On one reading the obligation follows the person regardless of passport. On the other, a stateless passenger is owed nothing by the state that licensed the launch.

This page records what each state said. A state that does not answer is recorded as not having answered. The register is updated as replies arrive.

Deadline for a written position: 15 October 2026. Delivery confirmed for all 129 messages; none was returned undelivered.

Last updated 4 September 2026. Compiled and maintained by Danilo Dzyuban, Ottawa, Ontario.