Rescue Agreement Law and Legal Definition
Rescue Agreement is an agreement on the rescue of astronauts, the return of astronauts and the return of objects launched into outer space. The Agreement provides that States shall take all possible steps to rescue and assist astronauts in distress and promptly return them to the launching State. The States shall also upon request, provide assistance to launching States in recovering space objects that return to earth outside the territory of the launching state. As of 1 January 2008, 90 States have ratified, and 24 have signed the Rescue Agreement. Two international intergovernmental organizations (the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) have declared its acceptance of the rights and obligations provided for in this Agreement.
