A set of international code of conduct is needed to ensure safety and security of all outer space activities, the European Union said on Thursday, two days after two U.S. and Russian satellites collided in space above Siberia, Xinhua reported.
Addressing a session of the 65-state Conference on Disarmament, the EU said it had already been preparing a draft proposal for such an international code, and an initial draft text had been actually approved by the EU in December.
The main objective of the code is to strengthen the safety, security and predictability of all space activities, civil or military, said Czech Ambassador Ivan Pinte, whose country currently holds the EU presidency.
According to the EU's draft code, signatory states should maintain freedom of access and use of outer space "for peaceful purposes without interference, fully respecting the security, safety and integrity of space objects in orbit."
There should also be due consideration to the legitimate defense interests of states.
"The European Union is currently consulting other spacefaring nations on the text with the aim of reaching a consensus ... that would be acceptable for as many states as possible," said Pinte.
Pinte also noted that the code should be signed on a voluntary basis, and it is open to all states.
One privately-owned U.S. communications satellite collided with a defunct Russian satellite in space on Tuesday, shooting out a pair of massive debris clouds, NASA said on Wednesday.