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Are there treaties saying who speaks for Earth if Mars makes big choices alone?

Research question: Are there international agreements that decide who speaks for Earth if a Mars settlement makes major decisions on its own?

The records show that the Outer Space Treaty is the basis of international space law 2, and it bars any state from claiming ownership of a celestial body and limits sovereignty to objects a state launched itself 6. The Artemis Accords are non-binding and rest on that treaty 1, but the Accords do not say who would represent Earth in decisions made by a Mars settlement 3. The provided facts do not show any agreement that addresses Earth representation for a self-governing Mars settlement, so the question is only partly answered. The newest relevant fact is dated September 2026, about one month before today.

Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.
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Sources

[1] supported
The Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles, grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, rather than a binding international agreement.
"Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST), the Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century."
Artemis Accords - United States Department of State
[2] supported
The Outer Space Treaty is the basis of international space law.
"Является основой международного космического права."
Договор о космосе
[3] supported
The Artemis Accords tie their principle of peaceful purposes to the Outer Space Treaty and international law, but the document does not say who would represent Earth in decisions made by a Mars settlement.
"Consistent with the Outer Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords affirm that cooperative activities should be exclusively for peaceful purposes and in accordance with international law."
Artemis Accords - United States Department of State
[4] supported
The Outer Space Treaty was signed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union on 27 January 1967 and entered into force on 10 October 1967.
"Договор подписали Соединённые Штаты Америки , Великобритания и Советский Союз 27 января 1967 года, вступил в силу 10 октября 1967 года."
Договор о космосе
[5] supported
As of 2025, 117 countries are states parties to the Outer Space Treaty, and 23 more have signed but not completed ratification.
"По состоянию на 2025 год 117 стран являются государствами-участниками договора, а ещё 23 подписали договор, но не завершили ратификацию ."
Договор о космосе
[6] supported
Under the treaty, no state may claim ownership of a celestial body or any part of it, and state sovereignty extends only to space objects that the state itself launched.
"Также в договоре указано, что ни одно государство не может предъявлять претензию на владение космическим телом или его частью, а суверенитет государств распространяется только на непосредственно запущенные ими космические объекты."
Договор о космосе
[7] supported
The treaty limits the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes and prohibits using them to test any kind of weapon or to build military bases, structures and fortifications.
"Этот договор ограничивает использование Луны и других небесных тел только мирными целями и прямо запрещает их использование для испытания любого рода оружия, проведения военных манёвров или создания военных баз, сооружений и укреплений."
Договор о космосе