Outer Space Exploration Treaty

The Outer Space Exploration Treaty is a treaty signed by Zootron and Airedalandia, on July 20, 1999, in the Zootronian capital of Zootron City. The treaty lays out the framework for the use and enforcement of Zootronian Spaceflight Standards, the limitations of use of nuclear energy in space, and the prospecting claim system. The treaty's preamble states, "The solar system is recognized as being another frontier for expansion, and as such, should be open for expansion into. However, we acknowledge that space itself is a dangerous place, and standards must be maintained for the safe exploration and exploitation of extra-terrestrial resources."

The treaty adopts and enforces the standards set forth in Zootronian Spaceflight Standards, but also deals with the issues of extra-terrestrial resource exploitation, stating that the first organization or person to land a spacecraft in a certain area, 10 km in diameter, has ownership of that area, and is allowed to treat that area as personal property. The treaty further bans all uses of weaponry in space not affecting debris, and enforces that a nation must clean up their space junk. The treaty also includes a polite neighbour clause, stating that the owner of a piece of debris is the only one allowed to deorbit it, unless permission is acquired by another nation from the owner.