Professor James Green has been quoted numerous times by the Daily Express in its article on Russia controversial claim to Venus. Professor Green’s contribution to the article includes an explanation of how the Outer Space Treaty works: “Russia cannot claim sovereignty over Venus as a matter of international law. The Outer Space Treaty is clear, in Article 2, that ‘outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.’ Admittedly, the OST doesn’t define what a ‘celestial body’ is exactly, and there has been some debate as to whether, for example, asteroids would qualify, but there is no doubt that a planet – such as Venus – would.”

You can read the article and more on what Professor Green had to say on the subject here.