The 1979 Agreement on the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies: the History of Development within the Framework of the United Nations and the Reasons for the Failure

The study examines the history of the development of the 1979 Moon Agreement within the framework of the United Nations, while paying attention not only to its content, but also to the historical background, political and legal context, as well as the reasons why it has not received widespread support from the leading space powers. A special place is occupied by the analysis of the significance of this agreement in the system of legal regulation of space activities, given that it stands out among the five key UN treaties due to its attempt to consolidate the principle of the common heritage of mankind in relation to the natural resources of the Moon and other celestial bodies. In the context of increased interest in the exploration of the Moon and the development of its natural resources, the author raises the question of whether it is possible to integrate certain provisions of the Agreement into future international legal mechanisms that would take into account modern technological capabilities and the economic interests of mankind in the exploration of outer space and celestial bodies.