How does international law apply to outer space?

International law governs activities in outer space, ensuring its use for peaceful purposes. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits placing nuclear weapons in orbit or on celestial bodies and prevents nations from claiming sovereignty over them. It also establishes that all nations are responsible for their space activities and liable for any damage caused by objects launched from their territory. Space law, a branch of international law, began evolving in the late 1950s, recognizing that traditional laws of sovereignty do not apply to space. Subsequent agreements have reinforced international cooperation, the rescue of astronauts, and liability for damages caused by space objects.123